Game Day Wisconsin Lutheran

[IWB]

Starting lineup.....

Derrick Wilson
Matt Carlino
Sandy Cohen
Steve Taylor
Juan Anderson

[IWB]

Struggling early, but coming on strong now once the jitters are gone. Full court pressure just like we saw in the scrimmages.

Bench seems very vocal, good to see - team seems to pretty close.

[IWB]

Officials for today ar ePaul Szelc, Tim Clougherty, Terry Oglesby

[IWB]

Wojo subbing freely, all 9 eligible players have seen minutes early. Wojo does have the quick hook, air out a dumb shot and he will send someone to the scorer's table.

Juan Anderson looks like a different guy playing with confidence, good to see.

Wisco has twice as many turnovers as points.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

So far Derrick & Carlino running the point. Really like Juan's aggressiveness. Bizarre to hear "Warrior's ball" for WLU.

[IWB]

<tbody>

FG-M
FG-A
FG %
3PT-M
3PT-A
3PT %
FT-M
FT-A
FT %
O Reb
D Reb
T Reb
AST
STL
BLK
TO
PF
PTS


WLCMBB
1

13
7.7
0
4
0.0
2
2
100.0
3
10
13
1
1
2
14
7
4


MU
12
30
40.0
1
8
12.5
2
3
66.7
9
9
18
9
9
1
3
5
27

</tbody>

[mcwman]

Game streaming on gomarquette.com with radio as audio

[IWB]

Wisco goes on a 6-0 run, Wojo calls a time out - not happy, nor should he be.

MU is 1-10 from three, so not that much has changed since last year.

[dubs98]

although we are struggling from deep I really like how carlino is stepping into his shots with confidence. all of his have looked good, with most being just a smidge long. he will have a lot that will drop from deep.

[IWB]

No offense to WISCO's players, coach or fans, but this game is a perfect example as to why closed scrimmages are so much better than exhibition games. WISCO may be ok on the D3 level, but they have no business playing MU.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Definitely hard to take anything meaningful from this. Immense difference in talent.

[mufan2003]

Game streaming on gomarquette.com with radio as audio

Is the streaming this poor? I have high-speed internet and it keeps freezing and loading. Very grainy.

[dubs98]

a lot of new players and a new coach. there is value, at least this year, in getting everyone out there for a practice run in front of the funs against a different team.

[dubs98]

Is the streaming this poor? I have high-speed internet and it keeps freezing and loading. Very grainy.

same for me. the audio is also off. I muted one of the two audio players but the other is off from the video so I have been watching the whole thing on mute. Guess I am just happy to see them play regardless. good to have the season rolling again!

[dubs98]

jim, do any of the wisco Lutheran kids play in the pro am?

[IWB]

No, none of them do.

First half tidbits....



<colgroup><col><col span="5"></colgroup><tbody>

In

Off
2nd
Fast



Points
Paint
T/O
Chance
Break
Bench


WISCO
6
4
0
2
8


Marquette
30
25
3
20
15


</tbody>

[IWB]

walking around talking to people, got to say Lovell is the real deal. I don't know if there is anyone in this building that he hasn't talked to today. He is everywhere - sitting behind the bench, across from the bench, 5th row, 10th row - the guy looks very comfortable here. Great that the Big Head of the game in the student section was Lovell.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

If Juan ends up with a serious injury in this...SMH

[IWB]

Saw it happen, I'm not doctor, but I'm pretty sure its just a cramp.

[dubs98]

If Juan ends up with a serious injury in this...SMH

we are in a heap of trouble if he does. could happen in any game situation (practice, exhibition or closed scrimmage.) still would absolutely suck. hope he is good.

[IWB]

Juan checking back in - was a cramp as Dr. IWB had suggested.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

We can ill afford any injuries. Glad to see Juan back in there.

[dubs98]

regardless of competition, fun to see juan playing confident and well. very active. also looks bigger. cohen has come in and played within himself. good start.

[IWB]

Agree - absolutely great kid, one of my favorites to come through in a while.

[dubs98]

well, didn't expect a challenge, but good to get the season rolling. nice to see them hit some outside shots in the second half.

[IrwinFletcher]

6-9 from deep in the 2nd half. Definitely a good sign. Reports of Cohen playing well in practice played out today. 3 3-balls is nice to see as well.

Nice to break a sweat before the lid lifter next Friday.

[mufan2003]

same for me. the audio is also off. I muted one of the two audio players but the other is off from the video so I have been watching the whole thing on mute. Guess I am just happy to see them play regardless. good to have the season rolling again!

Good thing the rest of the games I will be at the BC or can watch on Fox Sports! Only Marquette basketball would make me put up with a streaming that poor. Exciting to have the season started!

[mufan2003]

walking around talking to people, got to say Lovell is the real deal. I don't know if there is anyone in this building that he hasn't talked to today. He is everywhere - sitting behind the bench, across from the bench, 5th row, 10th row - the guy looks very comfortable here. Great that the Big Head of the game in the student section was Lovell.

Amen. Comes across as a very likeable guy that will do a good job and understand the importance of men's basketball to Marquette.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Hard to take much away from this game as it was clearly lopsided from the start. Opening the game on a 31-4 run will do that to you. But if I learned anything today, here's what it was...
.
Injuries: This team cannot afford any injuries. When Juan pulled up with a cramp, I'm sure I wasn't the only one to gasp. Wojo made a lot of subs in and out, & with Cohen sounding like he'll be in the rotation, this team will need all 9 available players. If at any point this team finds itself down 2-3 players, it will be in a lot of trouble.
Derrick Wilson: When Derrick was on the floor (which was frequent) he always was the one bringing it up the floor. Carlino, John, & Duane all deferred to Derrick as the player to initiate the offense & have the ball in his hands. Anyone hoping for Derrick to be relegated to a 3rd string, 10-12 mpg player might not be too happy with his role this season.
The Press: Obviously it won't work this well against real competition, but I think this young team could benefit from the press. My main concern is whether we have the depth for it, but it was effective when implemented & anything we can do to gain an edge in possessions is a positive.
Shooting: Let's hope it's first game jitters, but some of the shooting was awful. 1/11 from three in the first half & around 33% from the floor. It picked up massively in the second half as WLC clearly couldn't keep up in transition, but scoring could be a problem again.
Meaningless: At the end of the day, that's what this game is. An absolute destruction of a team that would lose in this situation 1,000 out of 1,000 times. That said, some of those dunks were incredibly fun. If nothing else, it's nice to see Marquette back on the floor.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Box Score: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/box_score/stats_20141108aab.pdf

[Nukem2]

No offense to WISCO's players, coach or fans, but this game is a perfect example as to why closed scrimmages are so much better than exhibition games. WISCO may be ok on the D3 level, but they have no business playing MU.
Agreed. The only benefits to the game were to acclimate the new staff to the BC and for the guys to get their feet wet under the bright lights. This MU team is really small when Steve is on the bench. Some of those NC games are going to be a real challenge for this team.

[Nukem2]

John Dawson had a tough day. Last guy off the bench. Missed his two treys very badly and was turned around on D several times while committing 4 fouls. Down the stretch, he never got the ball and no one looked for him. Will be hard for him to be in the rotation with performances like this. Was hoping for much more from John.

[Phantom Warrior]

The only thing I am inferring from the Box Score is that Dawson may be #9 of 9 in the pecking order at this time. Then again, maybe his minutes were limited by having four fouls in 13 minutes.

[Nukem2]

The only thing I am inferring from the Box Score is that Dawson may be #9 of 9 in the pecking order at this time. Then again, maybe his minutes were limited by having four fouls in 13 minutes.

Don't know if you were at the BC, but John simply had a forgettable outing today. Hopefully, he can learn from today as we'll need all 9 guys to contribute.

Carlino's emerging bald spot is very noticeable... ;)

[79warrior]

John Dawson had a tough day. Last guy off the bench. Missed his two treys very badly and was turned around on D several times while committing 4 fouls. Down the stretch, he never got the ball and no one looked for him. Will be hard for him to be in the rotation with performances like this. Was hoping for much more from John.

there were more than a few posters on other boards screaming for JD to play more last season. Perhaps Buzz was not as crazy as some made him out to be.

[Phantom Warrior]

I do like 20 of 24 free throws (83%).

[AbovetheRim]

there were more than a few posters on other boards screaming for JD to play more last season. Perhaps Buzz was not as crazy as some made him out to be.

No, our PG situation is just that bad across the board.

[pbiflyer]

Was strange seeing Travis on the sidelines in a suit.

[AlexJesswein]

No, our PG situation is just that bad across the board.

+1

Last years backcourt is the worst I have seen at MU in my lifetime (albeit relatively short)

[79warrior]

No, our PG situation is just that bad across the board.

The point was if JD was a better option he would have played. Chances are pretty good he was not.

[TulsaWarrior]

I'm much older than you Alex and I have the same assessment of last years backcourt -- no chemistry or complimenting skill set.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

This year's backcourt will be interesting. It seems like Derrick and Carlino will get first crack at minutes, but I think Carlino, Duane, and Dawson can all be expected to see some time at both guard positions. There were a lot of rotations and combinations. They'd better figure them out in a hurry -- Tennessee-Martin is the last chance to experiment before MU travels to the 'Shoe.

EDIT: Honestly, I expect Derrick to average 25+ mpg this year. It was very telling that every time he was on the court, he brought the ball up for half-court sets. No matter who he played with, they deferred to Derrick, including Carlino. It was also notable that when Carlino was out of control in the backcourt, he haphazardly dribbled in Derrick's direction. Derrick calmly snatched the ball away from him, called out a set, and the team moved up court smoothly.

I know people don't like him. I know he's not the ideal offensive point guard. But he's steady with the ball and does a great job of staying composed. You can deride him all you want, but every indication is that despite the addition of Carlino, despite the return of Duane, and despite the presence of Magic Dawson, Derrick is still the starting point guard on this team, and the reason is that he is the best player we have at the position. If that means we are in a sorry state, well I guess that's what it is, but it's obvious Buzz felt that way and nothing thus far has indicated Wojo disagrees.

[Nukem2]

This year's backcourt will be interesting. It seems like Derrick and Carlino will get first crack at minutes, but I think Carlino, Duane, and Dawson can all be expected to see some time at both guard positions. There were a lot of rotations and combinations. They'd better figure them out in a hurry -- Tennessee-Martin is the last chance to experiment before MU travels to the 'Shoe.

EDIT: Honestly, I expect Derrick to average 25+ mpg this year. It was very telling that every time he was on the court, he brought the ball up for half-court sets. No matter who he played with, they deferred to Derrick, including Carlino. It was also notable that when Carlino was out of control in the backcourt, he haphazardly dribbled in Derrick's direction. Derrick calmly snatched the ball away from him, called out a set, and the team moved up court smoothly.

I know people don't like him. I know he's not the ideal offensive point guard. But he's steady with the ball and does a great job of staying composed. You can deride him all you want, but every indication is that despite the addition of Carlino, despite the return of Duane, and despite the presence of Magic Dawson, Derrick is still the starting point guard on this team, and the reason is that he is the best player we have at the position. If that means we are in a sorry state, well I guess that's what it is, but it's obvious Buzz felt that way and nothing thus far has indicated Wojo disagrees.
Problem is that the half court offense was and is now stagnant with the ball in his hands. Very apparent at the BC today. Derrick did play some oof the ball today and things flowed much better. His points were off the ball.

[kneelb4zerg]

Another year of blaming everything on Derrick. SMDH.

[Nukem2]

Another year of blaming everything on Derrick. SMDH.No one is "blaming" Derrick. And, he won't be "the problem" if MU has a poor record this season. Just evaluating his individual performance. He is a fine young guy and great representative for MU, but he has serious limitations as a starting PG at the high major Division I level. Doubt that he will get anywhere near the 32 mpg he averaged last year. Did make 3 of 4 FTs yesterday :) Though, he did get a lot of rattle before those last 2 dropped. His outside shot looks like it always has, though he was less hesitant to take those shots.

[AbovetheRim]

Another year of blaming everything on Derrick. SMDH.

When a college point guard doesn't make those around him better, damn right there is blame to be passed.

[kneelb4zerg]

When a college point guard doesn't make those around him better, damn right there is blame to be passed.

It's a tiresome issue. If he's so bad, then the guards relegated to the bench shouldn't have an issue taking his playing time. Yet that wasn't the case last year. We will see if it happens this year.

[farmerdoc]

It's a tiresome issue. If he's so bad, then the guards relegated to the bench shouldn't have an issue taking his playing time. Yet that wasn't the case last year. We will see if it happens this year.

This.

Really cannot blame Derrick. Buzz recruited everyone of the guards who cannot seem to take his minutes. It is what it is, and to blame Derrick that he is playing is just silly. If Wojo thinks he is the best fit for that position that is just as telling. How about we give Wojo a chance to coach Derrick up in a different manner, and see if the flow of the offense improves. There are at least 3 former point guards on the coaching staff, give them a chance with live bullets flying to help the kid get better.

[Nukem2]

It's a tiresome issue. If he's so bad, then the guards relegated to the bench shouldn't have an issue taking his playing time. Yet that wasn't the case last year. We will see if it happens this year.
The tiresome issue has been the lack of good PG play. Hopefully, Carlino and Duane can help shore up this position and the staff can strengthen Derrick's productivity. That would be a win...win...win situation... :). In the meantime, wish Steve could grow a couple inches. Wow...this MU squad looked small yesterday.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I would hope that if either Duane or Carlino could be the guy that takes minutes from Derrick, they wouldn't defer to him as lead guard. When every other guy on the team with "point guard skills" wants Derrick to run the offense when they are on the court together, it's a pretty good indicator that Derrick is the best point guard on the team.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not happy with that circumstance. My hope was to see Derrick in a backup, defensive specialist role. Maybe someone will step up to make that a reality, and I really don't want to read too much into a meaningless exhibition, but they all deferred to him when it came to running the offense. That is pretty telling.

[The Reptile]

People weren't happy with Junior either. I'm not sure what is needed to cure our perceptions short of DJ being allowed to lace them up for another four years. Oh wait, I forgot that people were critical of him his last three years too. I guess we have no hope for the 1 position.

[AlexJesswein]

I was very pleased with Junior

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Does Travis have any eligibility left? :D

[Nukem2]

I was very pleased with Junior
As were most of us. He was a winner inspite of his shortcomings.

[CaribouJim]

I was very pleased with Junior

Ditto.