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Post by FrazierFanatic on Jan 20, 2015 10:58:15 GMT -5
A huge test of this team's ability to re-focus after a huge win. On the road at a venue which had not been kind to us, against a team that wants revenge - but a team we are better than and should beat.
Fail to get up for this one, and the 'nova win is diminished. Be ready, play with the same intensity, and build on the confidence from last night; then we have something pretty special going on.
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GUJook97
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by GUJook97 on Jan 20, 2015 11:32:47 GMT -5
Yeah, no matter what type of team Marquette has had, this is always our toughest road game of the year.
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Post by ColumbiaHeightsHoya on Jan 20, 2015 11:49:38 GMT -5
We also didn't play that well against them the first go around. I would hope we have figured out the zone a little bit and how we want to attack it. I remember a lot of CYO like turnovers. Gotta do the same thing we did to fisher by getting him in foul trouble in the first game and keep Carlino in check (he was 2-8 from 3 in the first game). We had 15 TO's, shot 22% from 3, Shot 23 of 28 FT (above average) and slightly outrebounded them. Our starters were solid and we didn't get a lot out of Copeland, White, Campbell, & Bowen that game.
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Post by HoyasAreHungry on Jan 20, 2015 11:58:42 GMT -5
I like that we have a week to prepare. On 2 days rest this would be a much bigger opportunity for a let down. I think (hope) we'll come out focused to break the zone effectively.
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njhoya78
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Post by njhoya78 on Jan 20, 2015 12:11:19 GMT -5
Even thought Marquette usually only goes eight deep, Steve Wojchiechowski benched JaJuan Johnson in the Xavier game Saturday, reportedly for "practice" issues. MU's next game is tomorrow night at St. John's; let's see how much time Johnson gets against the Johnnies. It may provide a glimpse into whether he can make any contribution against the Hoyas on Saturday.
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Cambridge
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Canes Pugnaces
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Post by Cambridge on Jan 20, 2015 12:14:42 GMT -5
According to Pomeroy, Marquette sports one of the worst offenses in the Big East. They are dead last in Offensive Efficiency, mustering only 95.2 points in 100 possessions, and turn the ball over on an league worst 23.3% of their possessions. They also struggle to score both from the floor (boasting a mediocre effective field goal percentage of 48.6%) and the charity stripe (with the league's worst free throw rate). To make matters worse, they don't even rebound well on the offensive end (rated 8th out of 10 teams). Simply put, on the offensive end, Marquette has trouble keeping the ball and shooting the ball, and they rarely get a second chances. If our guys can seal off the passing lanes, stay in front of their men, and box out, Marquette should have a lot of trouble scoring points.
That being said, according to the numbers, Marquette also sports one of the fiercest defenses in the league. They sport the best defensive efficiency rating, only allowing Big East opponents to notch 96.5 points per 100 possession. This is probably fueled by the fact they have managed to restrict league opponents to an effective field goal percentage of 47% (third best in the league), while forcing turnovers on 22.1% of possessions (best in the league) while giving up the stingiest free throw rate. The only weak spot appears to be the fact they give up a surprising number of offensive rebounds. In sum, it appears that Marquette plays aggressive defense that creates a ton of turnovers -- without fouling -- and forces their opponents to take low percentage shots. In order to counter this, our guys need to be aggressive in establishing an inside presence so as to maximize high percentage looks and take advantage of Marquette's weakness on the defensive glass.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Jan 20, 2015 12:31:45 GMT -5
We pounded the offensive boards last night, especially early, so that is a big key for this one. Limit needless turnovers, and play with our own defensive intensity and we come out with the W.
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Post by Ranch Dressing on Jan 20, 2015 12:40:18 GMT -5
Just. Win.
Can't waste the amazing Nova performance with a clunker on the road to an inferior team. Plus, if we want to achieve 12 conference wins, we likely need to find 4 or 5 wins on the road. We are 1-2 on the road right now. This is one you pencil when you map out a path to a 12-6 conference record. Let's get it.
Will be good to practice against the Quette zone all week. We know their blueprint.
Our strength of schedule is up to #6 in the country. The OOC games against Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, Indiana, and Charlotte are paying off.
Has anyone else been running the numbers assuming we had found a way to win that game at Providence? Damn.
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McBricks
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
What Rocks.
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Post by McBricks on Jan 20, 2015 14:25:02 GMT -5
The good news is that the SF crew decided NOT to make this our road trip this year. So the chances of the Hoyas winning goes up exponentially! The game in Milwaukee 2 years ago nearly killed me.
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OldHoyafan
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Post by OldHoyafan on Jan 20, 2015 14:36:08 GMT -5
The key defensively will be to stop Fisher from being a major player for them. Josh has to stop reaching so much. Just stay between Fisher and the rim. He over commits a lot and finds himself at of above free throw line guarding the opposing center. This allows the quicker center to make a move to the basket, which Josh tries to strip the ball away from him because he can't keep up with him going to the basket. I could live with Fisher hitting 10 out of 10 from the top of the free throw lane and shutting down a drive to the basket that more than likely will result in two free throws and a foul on Josh. Limit the interior pts in the paint and the HOYAS win.
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beenaround
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by beenaround on Jan 20, 2015 15:34:33 GMT -5
Putting Copeland or even White at the free throw area against the zone would open up things a lot.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Jan 20, 2015 16:05:35 GMT -5
Putting Copeland or even White at the free throw area against the zone would open up things a lot. We have had White sliding in there. He has been a little sporadic with the 12-15 footer from that spot; hitting that shot more consistently makes the defense collapse on him and opens up the drive, the dump down to Josh, or the kickout to the wing. Ike can do the same, especially as he continues to develop confidence in his shot.
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Big Dog
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Post by Big Dog on Jan 20, 2015 16:15:25 GMT -5
We are a mind-bogglingly stupid Dominic James foul away from being winless there (though virtually every game except I think last year and 2009 has come down to the final minute.)
If we can't win there this year, I'm not sure we ever will.
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Post by FrazierFanatic on Jan 20, 2015 16:36:05 GMT -5
We are a mind-bogglingly stupid Dominic James foul away from being winless there (though virtually every game except I think last year and 2009 has come down to the final minute.) If we can't win there this year, I'm not sure we ever will. Stay strong, Dog - the Hoyas are coming to ease your pain. There will be more bumps in the road, but we are strengthening every day, and will not let you down.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Jan 20, 2015 17:26:55 GMT -5
What happened last time: an aggressive zone defense brought the Hoya offense to a standstill in the second half with one FG in nearly 15 minutes of gametime. No involvement of two recent contributors as Bowen played 5 minutes and Copeland 7 minutes. Peak played 33 minutes, DSR 37 and Trawick 30. Each scored in double figures and the team had 15 TOs with Peak accounting for 4. In contrast to most games, the Hoya bigs did not have serious foul trouble with Smith and Hopkins each having only 2 fouls. Only Jabril had 3 fouls. Hoyas were outshot everywhere but at the FT line where a season best 82% represented the basis for the victory.
What should happen this time: the Hoyas should utilize their new found confidence and have White and/or Copeland playing the 4 and flashing to the top of the key to help facilitate ball movement and the inside /outside game that was on display last night. More drives into the lane creating foul pressure on the one big for the Warriors. More aggressive defense all over the court to test the shallow bench of the Warriors. Copeland continuing to show growth and confidence along with White. Peak showing some restraint shooting from the outside on offense and more improvement on defense. Bowen coming in to alternate with Trawick in shutting down Carlino. Jabril and DSR leading the way when the crowd gets into the game.
Should be a Hoya victory if there is no hangover from last night. However, Jay Wright gave the Hoyas a belated Christmas gift last night by not at least trying a zone. Marquette is not as charitable and has a better zone than most teams the Hoyas have played.
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Post by HoyasAreHungry on Jan 20, 2015 17:34:01 GMT -5
Forgot to mention we need to get out in transition and get those easy baskets before the zone sets up. That of course will come with a strong defensive/rebounding effort.
Again, a week to prepare...I like our chances against their defense.
Keep the train a rollin!
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MCIGuy
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Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
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Post by MCIGuy on Jan 20, 2015 18:24:58 GMT -5
Again, a week to prepare...I like our chances against their defense. What are you talking about? The game is this Saturday.
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drquigley
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Post by drquigley on Jan 20, 2015 19:01:01 GMT -5
We will win this game easily. This team is so good that when Hopkins dribbles the ball off his foot or misses any easy put back or layup I don't curse him or yell profanities. Why? Last year every possession was huge because the Hoyas offense was so lame. But now I feel confident that Copeland will put back Hopkins missed layup or White will pick up that lost dribble and hit a 3-pointer. And for every turnover Hopkins commits Bowen or Trawick will make a steal.
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sleepy
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Post by sleepy on Jan 20, 2015 19:36:01 GMT -5
We will win this game easily. This team is so good that when Hopkins dribbles the ball off his foot or misses any easy put back or layup I don't curse him or yell profanities. Why? Last year every possession was huge because the Hoyas offense was so lame. But now I feel confident that Copeland will put back Hopkins missed layup or White will pick up that lost dribble and hit a 3-pointer. And for every turnover Hopkins commits Bowen or Trawick will make a steal. Interestingly enough, according to Kenpom, only 1 team (including this years team) since 2008 has been more efficient offensively than last years team, and that was the 2010 team.
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SFHoya99
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Post by SFHoya99 on Jan 20, 2015 20:06:51 GMT -5
We will win this game easily. This team is so good that when Hopkins dribbles the ball off his foot or misses any easy put back or layup I don't curse him or yell profanities. Why? Last year every possession was huge because the Hoyas offense was so lame. But now I feel confident that Copeland will put back Hopkins missed layup or White will pick up that lost dribble and hit a 3-pointer. And for every turnover Hopkins commits Bowen or Trawick will make a steal. Interestingly enough, according to Kenpom, only 1 team (including this years team) since 2008 has been more efficient offensively than last years team, and that was the 2010 team. Using rank is helpful here. The rule changes that went into effect last year increased free throw attempts and therefore scoring and efficiency. There's also just differences year to year. It's not a huge amount, but it means that while 2014 was the highest efficiency year since 2010, it actually only ranks in front of 2013 in terms of offensive efficency rank. That all said, the numbers are all very close -- so much as to be mostly indistinguishable (aside from 2013). We haven't had a great offense since 2010. 2012 and 2013 (26-10 in the BE) were good because the defense was top-notch. Two thousand nine, 2011 and 2014 were mediocre teams on both sides with a 25-29 BE record, though two of those years were in an incredibly tough conference. Well, 2011 was a decent team that lost its PG at the wrong time, but you get my point.
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