Another thing to point, Xavier did not play too much and JB keeps saying the game is moving “too fast”. Still having Spike around would have helped him out a lot. Can not wait to see how DJ plays vs Marquette some real competition
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I’m calling for a moratorium on Spike comments. Spike ain’t walkin’ through that door. 
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I agree. The defense has been much more aggressive, which is great. But Donlon’s first priority–and assumed specialty–was to teach our guys the system/technique to keep the opponent in from of them
If Michigan can go to NYC and beat Marquette and SMU, I’d feel great about this season. Both teams look pretty formidable early on.
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Game recap is heavy on DJ Wilson – can he keep up these kind of performances?
Yeah, right now DJ looks like the 2nd best player on this team… Has definitely earned the starting nod over Duncan
Apparently Walton has a sprained ankle, he can’t be playing 35 minutes this early if that’s the case. It was a better performance but they need to get a lot better.
Walton tweaked his ankle vs. Howard, but it hasn’t seemed to limit him much.
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DJ Wilson will have his growing pains. But I like what we are getting (energy) which is what this team needs.
I have very serious doubts about our perimeter D being able to make any impact against Marquette. We are just so limited athletically in open space. They will be attacking relentlessly all day. Opponents will continue to try and expose Duncan on switches regularly too. We just aren’t quick enough laterally to recover with any impact.
Regardless, we need to continue to see some incremental
improvement under this new system. As well as some attempt at rim protection going forward when playing real teams.
This will be a good early season gauge against very legitimate competition. I’d be ecstatic with a split.
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Fair to have concerns with the defense, especially with what we’ve seen thus far – pretty average overall.
I can’t shake the vision of Marquette shredding Michigan at Disney back in 2009-10. Of course, this team doesn’t have a Jimmy Butler or Lazar Hayward, per se, but it looks like they can get up and down and it should be tough.
Chance to scout them a bit tomorrow night when they play Howard.
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Hoping for a low possession game with them. If they get out to a lead it won’t materialize though.
Marquette is a great game to have early in the season. They put up 74 field goals in their 20 point win against Vanderbilt. And they cause 19 turnovers, had 23 personal fouls and 13 steals. Sounds like they are a very aggressive team that goes after you on both ends. I don’t know what kind of offense they run though and don’t know if this is a team that generates alot of offense off turnoevers or if they are really good in the halfcourt. Maybe both. If they are a team that relies on turnovers for offense, JB teams have typically fared well against those kinds of opponent (Shaka Smart, Bruce Pearl Tennessee etc). Good litmus test to see where this team is both physically and mentally.
Keep shooting Duncan, we’re going to need you.
Maybe he’ll reverse his conference and non conference shooting splits from last year.
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That would be awesome. We definitely need him but I think his talents are best suited coming off the bench at this point. Dj is bringing a whole lot more to the table currently.
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I was(am?) a huge dj skeptic. Duncan coming off the bench is fine by me. If he for some reason read this I want there to be positivity. He’s going to play heavy minutes, and his shooting is necessary for us to reach our goals. Defensively I think he will make the mental adjustments to improve.
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With a gap defense we can continue to improve our force direction (don’t let o dictate) and do a better job of stepping up in the gap to help. Repping communication and that step up habit can still give big improvements without becoming more athletic. Sometimes that sort of thing can only come together by playing games, not practicing against your teammates.
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Spike played 22 minutes his first game. So much for the excuse that he wouldn’t be healthy enough.
Can’t wait for you guys to riot when Spike hits a three vs. Villanova tomorrow night
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Won’t be surprised if he plays inspired against us; Beilfeldt did. Still won’t mean we could or should have retained him. My bet: he decided to move on himself.
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