Image Source: Andrew Fleck
Key Takeaways
- Marquette’s shooting performance is impressive, but they need to improve their defense to win games.
- The Golden Eagles have hit at least 33% of their three-point attempts in all but two games this season.
- Creighton has stabilized their season after a rough start, with improved computer numbers and rankings.
- The Bluejays’ offense is struggling with two-point scoring, but they still take and make a lot of three-pointers.
- Marquette needs to find a way to defend Creighton’s freshman twins, Neleigh and Norah Gessert, who have varying shooting stats.
Introduction to Marquette’s Performance
As the article states, "Marquette isn’t going to shoot 61% on three-pointers every single game for the rest of the year." However, their shooting performance has been impressive, with the team hitting at least 33% of their three-point attempts in all but two games this season. The Golden Eagles have connected on over 60% of their three-point attempts twice this season, and they’ve hit at least 38% in eight of their 15 games. As the article notes, "it’s surprising when the shots aren’t going down for the Golden Eagles."
The Need for Improved Defense
However, Marquette’s defense is a different story. The team’s defense "isn’t quite as tough as it was last season," with the Golden Eagles finishing last year at #30 in BartTorvik’s defensive efficiency rankings, but now sitting in the mid-50s. As the article states, "teams are shooting it just a little too well against MU, especially inside the arc." If Marquette can find a way to recapture some of that defensive magic and pair it with their great shooting, they may be able to make a run in the postseason.
Upcoming Game Against Creighton
Marquette’s next game is against the Creighton Bluejays, who have stabilized their season after a rough start. The Bluejays have won four of the last five meetings between the two teams, including last year in Omaha. As the article notes, "there’s at least a little evidence to suggest that Creighton has stabilized the direction of their season" since losing Kiani Lockett to a season-ending knee injury in November. The Bluejays’ computer numbers and rankings have improved, and they’ve even had to overcome the loss of freshman Ava Zediker, who has missed the last two games.
Defending the Gessert Twins
One of the challenges for Marquette will be defending Creighton’s freshman twins, Neleigh and Norah Gessert. As the article states, "the other catch to defending Neleigh Gessert? Her twin sister Norah." Neleigh is a 40% three-point shooter, while Norah is a 30% shooter, and both will require careful defense from the Golden Eagles. As the article notes, "this is Marquette’s first time seeing Creighton this season, and thus the first time trying to figure out how to defend the two freshman look-alike six-footers with deeply varying shooting stats."
Big Picture
The article concludes that "this Creighton team is a step back from what we’ve seen from Jim Flanery’s squads the past several years." The Bluejays don’t have the high-efficiency offense or the "good enough for that offense" defense that they’ve had in the past. However, they still take and make a lot of three-pointers, and Marquette will need to find a way to defend them effectively. As the article states, "if MU can force them into bad looks from deep and limit them to just once chance — CU doesn’t get on the offensive glass much anyway — then things should work out okay."
https://www.anonymouseagle.com/marquette-womens-basketball/34337/marquette-womens-basketball-preview-vs-creighton