#11 Marquette (MSG), Tue., Feb. 4, 6:30p, FS-1

LMF Keys to the Game

1. Pound the ball into the paint and to the rim. Rotating Prey and Vince in for minutes to keep the interior pressure on as we have done in some games may be good here.

2. Can we defend all 3 of Jones, Joplin and Ross? If we can only stop 2 it's gotta be the first 2

3. Protect the ball. Which means RJ has to keep playing smart, Simeon has to be focused on ball security, and no minutes for Glover. Glad Smith is back for this game.

If we bully Marquette inside as I expect we will, play D as we have shown we can, and don't do stupid things we will be fine. If we do stupid things and turn the ball over we can beat ourselves very easily
On #3. Kadary's really limited his turnovers since Smith was out. I don't really give the Georgetown/Seton Hall turnovers much credence since they were all in the second half in the middle of huge blowouts. Him keeping that up will be huge.
 
I'm curious to see how they do in the portal this offseason. They've got the arena and they got huge fan support. But their portal acquisitions were really underwhelming and they weren't in the hunt for a single big time guy. Same with X (aside from Conwell). That gives me pause.

If we didn't have Rick, I'd put us/Xavier/PC all in that same category of "let's see.".

I know our NIL support is solid, but imo, we really have our work cut out for us after this season, replacing some very good players including Kadary, Scott and likely Smith. If RJ opts to leave as I sense, it will be an added challenge. Not saying a disaster, just a challenge. Melding a new group is hard for any coach too, but Pitino is in another class than most.

I will worry about this season and let the chips fall where they may. Enjoying this ride and trust we will continue to have a competitive program. Beat LMF’s favorite guy Shaka!
 
LMF Keys to the Game

1. Pound the ball into the paint and to the rim. Rotating Prey and Vince in for minutes to keep the interior pressure on as we have done in some games may be good here.

2. Can we defend all 3 of Jones, Joplin and Ross? If we can only stop 2 it's gotta be the first 2

3. Protect the ball. Which means RJ has to keep playing smart, Simeon has to be focused on ball security, and no minutes for Glover. Glad Smith is back for this game.

If we bully Marquette inside as I expect we will, play D as we have shown we can, and don't do stupid things we will be fine. If we do stupid things and turn the ball over we can beat ourselves very easily
Agree, well done. “Stupid Things” so pertinent. Holding serve at MSG huge in the five key games v conference “big boys”
 
I know our NIL support is solid, but imo, we really have our work cut out for us after this season, replacing some very good players including Kadary, Scott and likely Smith. If RJ opts to leave as I sense, it will be an added challenge. Not saying a disaster, just a challenge. Melding a new group is hard for any coach too, but Pitino is in another class than most.

I will worry about this season and let the chips fall where they may. Enjoying this ride and trust we will continue to have a competitive program. Beat LMF’s favorite guy Shaka!
As long as we have Kull/Repole combo, I'd be surprised if our NIL situation isn't in the top of Big East though. MSG is also an asset for recruiting, and in general as a facility. Maybe roster construction will be dicey next year, but it won't be because of a lack of resources.
 
As long as we have Kull/Repole combo, I'd be surprised if our NIL situation isn't in the top of Big East though. MSG is also an asset for recruiting, and in general as a facility. Maybe roster construction will be dicey next year, but it won't be because of a lack of resources.
Did not imply such, but let’s get back to Marquette game.
 
I know our NIL support is solid, but imo, we really have our work cut out for us after this season, replacing some very good players including Kadary, Scott and likely Smith. If RJ opts to leave as I sense, it will be an added challenge. Not saying a disaster, just a challenge. Melding a new group is hard for any coach too, but Pitino is in another class than most.

I will worry about this season and let the chips fall where they may. Enjoying this ride and trust we will continue to have a competitive program. Beat LMF’s favorite guy Shaka!
With the instability of the college basketball world, with NILs and the Transfer Portal, the reality is that we live in two basketball worlds. Currently we are in the in-season mode where we can root like hell for the team we have right now. Once that is done (hopefully after we prevail in the Final Four) we can go into rebuilding mode and root for that. The plan seems to be to add four or five significant new pieces every year. The days of playing the long game with players is much less relevant and who you can lure to your Program through the Transfer Portal is the way it is now. Based on the last two years Pitino seems to be up for that challenge. For now I will not think ahead and hope that our current group continues to fly to Greater Heights this year.
 
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Im not concerned about this game. I think we will beat Marquette handily. Shaka is the most overrated coach in the country.

Friday night is the game to be concerned about.
 
I know our NIL support is solid, but imo, we really have our work cut out for us after this season, replacing some very good players including Kadary, Scott and likely Smith. If RJ opts to leave as I sense, it will be an added challenge. Not saying a disaster, just a challenge. Melding a new group is hard for any coach too, but Pitino is in another class than most.

I will worry about this season and let the chips fall where they may. Enjoying this ride and trust we will continue to have a competitive program. Beat LMF’s favorite guy Shaka!
I would guess that you are correct re RJ leaving, but I just don't get the mindset. He is not on the 2 round mock draft list that was out 3 days ago, With the need to shoot threes in the NBA, I see RJ's % from 3 as a problem for him. Maybe another year of college ball helps him. He still can learn a lot from CRP. Have no idea what his NIL money is, but wouldn't it compare favorably even with a 2 way NBA contract?

Just to stay on topic, this game had to be on our cumulative minds every since the team showed they can achieve something special. Assuming it's the same for the players. That's why I expect our guys to be more focused than ever for this game.
 
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