Marquette game thread 3-6-21

[muskieman]

Hey Muskieman,

I did not mean to imply that Griffin is an amazing player. I agree he has plenty of limitations. A double double however is 5 made shots. Scruggs and Odom are easily able to penetrate on fairly consistent basis. Griffin could get 5 buckets a game simply by being in the right place at the right time. His man will step up to help on the penetration, a quick pass has him behind the defense for a dunk. Or he is available for the offensive rebound and put back. Simply put, he would theoretically spend more time on the block than Free or Carter.

He rebounds well. Maybe he gets 7 points and 8 rebounds a game but leaving him on the bench doesn't feel productive. 20 minutes a game is very reasonable.

I agree as long as he catches that interior pass instead of fumbling it like he did the first pass the other night. I wish and hope this season does not end in the BE Tourney and that Griff and maybe Miles play a supporting role. Unfortunately, coaches rarely experiment in tourneys but rather limit the players they put on the court. I'd like for him to be more aggressive and more demanding of the ball when on the blocks and be willing to pass it out if he is doubled, something I would wish Free would do at times.

I'd be happy with 7 and 8 too. If he just played a little tougher D and ran the floor better.

[skyhops]

How can you defend Griffin not getting more of Carter’s minutes. Carter has lost all confidence and isn’t even rebounding well. His 2021 stats are terrible it would only make since to give Griffin more minutes. I think we should also encourage Zach to shoot more 3’s and keep Tandy on the bench

[AirJordan]

How can you defend Griffin not getting more of Carter’s minutes. Carter has lost all confidence and isn’t even rebounding well. His 2021 stats are terrible it would only make since to give Griffin more minutes. I think we should also encourage Zach to shoot more 3’s and keep Tandy on the bench

Most def Skyhops. For the previous two seasons Q won the award for the most minutes given to a player whose time on the court warranted substantially less. Carter, hands down, wins that award this year. I feel for the guy because it is clear that he has no confidence. It is pretty sad. But, at this point in the season, we have clearly established, I think, just how ineffective Carter's play has been. I'd give most of Carter's minutes to Griffin in a heartbeat.

I'm interested in the lineup Steele puts on the court against Butler tomorrow night. I want to see if he has learned anything these last few games. Not only will I be looking at the lineups but I also want to see how X looks emotionally. Will they come out and play hard or will they show the lack of energy that has been evident in some earlier games?

I will argue that if this team gives a lackluster effort against Butler (a team they have beaten twice), that should be interpreted as an unambiguous vote of no confidence in Steele. If that happens, then I'll be watching to see how many players return for next year. The very best result for which I now hope is this team playing their guts out against Butler, playing hard the next game followed by a large group of players opting to return to make up for this year's under achievement. To me, that would be a sign the players know they underachieved, they don't blame Steele and they want a do-over next year.

I don't know how realistic that is because I fear Steele has lost this team. I hope I'm wrong.

[skyhops]

I don't see how we beat Butler especially with all their players back. Carter can't guard Nyse and we typically come out with little to no energy in important games. I wondered if Steele was okay with leaving in getting his fourth foul in the first half? Unreal

[XavierBob]

If I recall we beat Butler at Hinkle with all their players by 13. I’ve been critical of this team and this season but this looks like one we should win. Problem is will the shots fall, wish I knew.

[skyhops]

We haven’t even had the lead in the last two games.