Marquette Quick Hits

Some quick thoughts after PC's 82-79 loss to Marquette.

• Not sure how many of the prep teams from the NPSI were in the house, but I spotted Westwind Prep (AZ), Canarias Basketball Academy, and Mountain State Academy (WV).  It would be nice if the tournament coincided with a home game every year.
• Buzz Williams' work at Marquette is impressive.  After losing James/McNeal/Matthews a letdown year would have been reasonable, then you factor in that a top 100 recruit transferred and another top 100 was lost for the season and it's remarkable what they've done.  Of course, having a player as skilled and intelligent as Lazar Haywood doesn't hurt.
• Sharaud Curry's defense has been a liability all season, but if Joe Young shoots like Donnie McGrath in year 1 who is going to consistently hit from beyond the arc in 2010-11?  After the Syracuse beatdown I posted that PC's lack of shooters has been an under the radar problem.  6-22 (27%) from 3 and 9-15 (60%) from the free throw line in a 3 point loss is a killer.  Without Curry today this team shoots 1-13 from 3.  Where are the shooter on this team next year?
• Bilal Dixon (3 blocks, 14 rebounds, a few turnaround Js in the 1st) is improving weekly and he looks like the type of kid who could become a leader as early as next year.  It will be interesting to see what kind of presence he is with another year's experience and not having to worry about fouling out and leaving PC with no big man to replace him.
• Hayward matched Greedy Peterson with 28 points and only had one more turnover.  Why then, did it feel like his 28 came so much easier?  A star who was left alone far too often when it counted most.  Great ball movement from MQ today.
• Only three Friars attempted a free throw against a tiny team. 
• Marshon Brooks had as many turnovers as he did points in 25 minutes. 
• Keno shortened the rotation today and four players logged over 30 minutes (Curry, Dixon, Peterson, and Council)
• A full house, but a quiet one at the Dunk.