Hate to say it, but Creighton game could be a make or break game

[Shuathelete]

We must start the game like a house on fire and quiet the crowd. Need lots of easy baskets. And then not let them back in.
Also must hit those free throws once they start fouling our big guys underneath.
And of course keep the turnovers to a minimum.
Tall order but the beginning of the game will set the tone.

We also need to stay out of foul trouble, get out in transition, take quality shots, limit offensive rebounds, and score more points then them.

 

[Halldan1]

Carrington is probably the only one that could stay with Watson's unique quickness.

Better idea. Petition the NCAA to give Jevon Thomas a one game waiver to play this season. He's just as quick as Watson and a heck of a defender. It would be a great match-up.



Too bad we have to wait a year to see it happen.

 

[cernjSHU]

Must change defenses. Although I am a man to man guy, their bigs killed us inside last game. I would play a lot of 2-3 match up zone and just mix up man to man on occasion. I know they can shoot well, but I think there is a better chance to win if you make them beat you from deep.

 

[Halldan1]

Yesterday on the Big East Conference call I tried to buzz in as that's the question I wanted to ask. But unfortunately almost the entire Willard Q&A was taken up by one reporter from Creighton who kept asking one question after another. Terrible job by the monitor.

Each Big East coach is on the conference call for 8 minutes. He's talks about his team for about 2 minutes and then takes questions from the media who are on the phone lines for the remaining 6 minutes.

 

[HALL28]

I think 6-4 for us is the magic number. With Nova and road Xavier out of the way, it'll be very disappointing if we cannot win 6 more - I look at SJU, DePaul and home Marquette as "should wins" and that leaves 3 more W's to get against GT, Creighton, Providence, Xavier, Butler. (And yes, I realize the "should wins" have never been a forte of Kevin Willard.)

 

[catholicman]

We must start the game like a house on fire and quiet the crowd. Need lots of easy baskets. And then not let them back in.
Also must hit those free throws once they start fouling our big guys underneath.
And of course keep the turnovers to a minimum.
Tall order but the beginning of the game will set the tone.

With Creighton, you can't just play against them with passion; you also have to play against them with intelligence.

 

[Halldan1]

Last 10 games

Must win
Should win
Could win but will probably lose
Probable loss

Sat Jan 30 Creighton Away Probable loss

Wed Feb 3 Marquette Home Must win

Sat Feb 6 Georgetown Home Should win

Wed Feb 10 Butler Home Should win

Wed Feb 17 Georgetown Away Could win but will probably lose

Sun Feb 21 St. John's Away Must win

Thu Feb 25 Providence Home Should win

Sun Feb 28 Xavier Home Could win but will probably lose

Wed Mar 2 Butler Away Probable loss

Sat Mar 5 DePaul Away Should win

That said I think we'll finish 9-9.



http://maps.google.com?q=Allstate+Arena,+Rosemont, IL&z=9&num=1&t=m

 

[Vegas pj]

Too bad we have to wait a year to see it happen.

What's wrong with that? It's been SH's mantra under what's his name's stewardship anyway, lol

 

[Burnsly]

Our third-string players pressed St. John's?

He probably missed the first 15 minutes of the game. Our "first string" press was dreadful led led to numerous uncontested shots.

 

[GSD118]

Free throws will be the deciding factor imo. If we shoot under 50% we lose.

 

[Vegas pj]

Free throws will be the deciding factor imo. If we shoot under 50% we lose.

If SH shoots under 60% SH loses, just by a larger margin than if they shoot their average.

 

[Pirate64]

The real question is what does the Head Coach do...what adjustments does Willard actually make... KW was thoroughly out-coached in the first game (before he stated benching folks). He has made strides imo this year, but for me that will be telling. What adjustments are made in the game plan and (when) Creighton does something different given they have a very good HC, how does KW react.

You never know with KW. He tries to be too cute by half. Strides? Who the hell knows. I don't trust the guy in clutch situations.