Alan Bykowski
@brewcity77.bsky.social
Marquette Basketball/USA Soccer/Reading FC
College basketball is a year-round passion
Writer/bracketology for crackedsidewalks.com
College basketball is a year-round passion
Writer/bracketology for crackedsidewalks.com
First off, Maryland's offense has been putrid. Their only reliable sources of offense have been Pharrel Payne on putbacks and free throws and the Andre Mills/David Coit combination from three. However, Payne isn't getting much support, accounting for 37.9% of the Terps offensive boards.
November 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
First off, Maryland's offense has been putrid. Their only reliable sources of offense have been Pharrel Payne on putbacks and free throws and the Andre Mills/David Coit combination from three. However, Payne isn't getting much support, accounting for 37.9% of the Terps offensive boards.
This year is a huge "prove the case" year for #mubb. T-Rank shows us why. Marquette has the second highest returning minutes in the Big East (53.8%) which is also third nationally. But they are also the youngest team in the league (1.85). In the post-COVID era, this should matter.
October 31, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This year is a huge "prove the case" year for #mubb. T-Rank shows us why. Marquette has the second highest returning minutes in the Big East (53.8%) which is also third nationally. But they are also the youngest team in the league (1.85). In the post-COVID era, this should matter.
It's #mubb preview season! This thread will have you covered for all your Marquette opponent previews, from non-con to Big East play. Start here for all the latest from @crackedsidewalks.bsky.social.
September 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
It's #mubb preview season! This thread will have you covered for all your Marquette opponent previews, from non-con to Big East play. Start here for all the latest from @crackedsidewalks.bsky.social.
What's worse is a local artist created this beauty as a new flag, but while it flies all over the city, the Common Council never made it official.
August 31, 2025 at 3:50 PM
What's worse is a local artist created this beauty as a new flag, but while it flies all over the city, the Common Council never made it official.
Share your city's awful municipal flag.
Here's Milwaukee, which might be the busiest (and worst) flag I've ever seen.
Here's Milwaukee, which might be the busiest (and worst) flag I've ever seen.
August 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Share your city's awful municipal flag.
Here's Milwaukee, which might be the busiest (and worst) flag I've ever seen.
Here's Milwaukee, which might be the busiest (and worst) flag I've ever seen.
You'll never beat this terror. The city name & founding year, the bizarre mix of water, wheat, and a wheel, the old timey Indian and even a flag within the flag. This might be the worst ever (and yes, I own it and occasionally fly it).
August 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
You'll never beat this terror. The city name & founding year, the bizarre mix of water, wheat, and a wheel, the old timey Indian and even a flag within the flag. This might be the worst ever (and yes, I own it and occasionally fly it).
6'11" C Sheek Pearson has reclassified to 2025 & will join #mubb this season. He's the first Peach Jam champion to join Marquette since Travis Diener in 2001. Don't be surprised to see a redshirt here.
July 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
6'11" C Sheek Pearson has reclassified to 2025 & will join #mubb this season. He's the first Peach Jam champion to join Marquette since Travis Diener in 2001. Don't be surprised to see a redshirt here.
Does anyone understand Peloton Strive Score? I matched my 30-minute best 72.0, but after being in Zone 5 about 65% of the time when I set it, I was there 89% of the time & only matched my best. Is there a bonus for going into Z5 that let me get to 72.0 with less time spent in Z5?
July 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Does anyone understand Peloton Strive Score? I matched my 30-minute best 72.0, but after being in Zone 5 about 65% of the time when I set it, I was there 89% of the time & only matched my best. Is there a bonus for going into Z5 that let me get to 72.0 with less time spent in Z5?
The level of one way traffic in this game reminds me of Jeff Goldblum driving into DC in Independence Day.
July 6, 2025 at 11:44 PM
The level of one way traffic in this game reminds me of Jeff Goldblum driving into DC in Independence Day.
Here's the morning of the First Four. The 8 teams remaining were the top-8 when the tourney started.
March 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Here's the morning of the First Four. The 8 teams remaining were the top-8 when the tourney started.
Is this the best Elite 8 ever? 8 of the top-9 in kenpom are alive including 1-7. In addition, the top-6 teams would've all been ranked #1 at kenpom in 3 of the past 5 seasons.
March 29, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Is this the best Elite 8 ever? 8 of the top-9 in kenpom are alive including 1-7. In addition, the top-6 teams would've all been ranked #1 at kenpom in 3 of the past 5 seasons.
People are pushing back against NCAA expansion, but you don't get this far down the conversation without it eventually happening. I've argued it before, but the right thing to do is make a move to an 80-team tournament. This is what the current S-Curve and bracket could look like. 🧵
March 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
People are pushing back against NCAA expansion, but you don't get this far down the conversation without it eventually happening. I've argued it before, but the right thing to do is make a move to an 80-team tournament. This is what the current S-Curve and bracket could look like. 🧵
Wasn't able to get this into the @crackedsidewalks.bsky.social article, but I love this steal from Kam. As he fights over & under screens while switching defensively, his arms are always out. It's movement with active motion. Leads to a deflection & steal. Just well coached defense. #mubb
December 10, 2024 at 1:54 PM
Wasn't able to get this into the @crackedsidewalks.bsky.social article, but I love this steal from Kam. As he fights over & under screens while switching defensively, his arms are always out. It's movement with active motion. Leads to a deflection & steal. Just well coached defense. #mubb
I know people think Shaka is snakebit against Gard, but I disagree. They were the better team at home in 2021, needed OT & Chucky's career game in 2022, & a career game for Klesmit at home in 2023. #mubb is the better team & at home. Injuries may keep it close, but I like Marquette to win 75-70.
December 7, 2024 at 5:10 PM
I know people think Shaka is snakebit against Gard, but I disagree. They were the better team at home in 2021, needed OT & Chucky's career game in 2022, & a career game for Klesmit at home in 2023. #mubb is the better team & at home. Injuries may keep it close, but I like Marquette to win 75-70.
One thing to note, Wisconsin is weak defending players inside going left. Does #mubb have any of those? Could be a big day for Kam Jones.
December 7, 2024 at 5:06 PM
One thing to note, Wisconsin is weak defending players inside going left. Does #mubb have any of those? Could be a big day for Kam Jones.
The Badgers are good on catch and shoot. #mubb needs to hassle them on the catch and force them into jumpers off the dribble, which they will take and are not good at.
December 7, 2024 at 5:01 PM
The Badgers are good on catch and shoot. #mubb needs to hassle them on the catch and force them into jumpers off the dribble, which they will take and are not good at.
John Tonje is the focal point for UW. He's a physical guard that scores inside (56.5 2PFG%) and out (44.2 3PFG%). But where he really thrives is getting to the line. Tonje draws 8.3 fouls/40 minutes & is elite at the line (93.7 FT%). Defending him will be a task if Chase & Zaide are both out. #mubb
December 7, 2024 at 4:40 PM
John Tonje is the focal point for UW. He's a physical guard that scores inside (56.5 2PFG%) and out (44.2 3PFG%). But where he really thrives is getting to the line. Tonje draws 8.3 fouls/40 minutes & is elite at the line (93.7 FT%). Defending him will be a task if Chase & Zaide are both out. #mubb
On offense, #mubb needs to get inside. ISU's at the rim defense is terrible. Check their defensive shot chart, if you get to the rim you can gash this team.
December 4, 2024 at 8:57 PM
On offense, #mubb needs to get inside. ISU's at the rim defense is terrible. Check their defensive shot chart, if you get to the rim you can gash this team.
The focus will be on Hurley & leaving 3-game tournaments, but this was already in the works for major programs. I interviewed Marquette AAD Mike Broeker over the summer and he said this. www.crackedsidewalks.com/2024/05/sche...
December 2, 2024 at 12:41 PM
The focus will be on Hurley & leaving 3-game tournaments, but this was already in the works for major programs. I interviewed Marquette AAD Mike Broeker over the summer and he said this. www.crackedsidewalks.com/2024/05/sche...
I took my son to his first live #mubb game today. We had a blast. He was on the JumboTron twice, got a Marquette mini-ball, ate lots of treats, and saw a Marquette win. Fatherhood has its moments. 🥰
November 30, 2024 at 9:41 PM
I took my son to his first live #mubb game today. We had a blast. He was on the JumboTron twice, got a Marquette mini-ball, ate lots of treats, and saw a Marquette win. Fatherhood has its moments. 🥰
