Tonight will tell us everything....

[duanewade]

Either we dig deep tonight and find a way to win... if we do win this game it will have the same legendary longevity in MU fan's memory banks as the two key 2003 performances of the at Louisville comeback and the Kentucky Wade triple double blowout in Minneapolis.

Or do we come out and lose and blame it on playing a very good team without Kolek while also blaming it on tired legs and several players overcoming a flu bug. 

If the prior happens then this team is tough and has shown they overcame the failed Wisconsin test and we now might have what it takes to have another magical run to the Final 4 in Phoenix.

If the later happens, then this season will start to feel like the Hauser brother/Howard February/March collapse or the 1st year Shaka collapse that happened in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette.  So a loss will also mean we have to pro forma a loss at Xavier, as well as, early losses in NYC and March Madness. 

Or will someone rise and carry us and refuse to let us lose like the Michael Jordan Utah food poisoning game, or the Tiger Woods playing through a partially torn ACL to win another US Open.  We will need some kind of heroic/legendary performance from one of our players tonight to help us turn the tide from a late season slide back to a resurgence of a team with unfinished business. 

One way or the other tonight's game will give us the answer.  TBD.

[brewcity77]

While a win would be nice, tonight won't tell us much. That all starts March 21, FBOW.

[PointWarrior]

So it's Final Four or season-ending flameout?  no in-between?  solely decided tonight?

[DoctorV]

Pretty intense Duane Wade.

Which one are you going with?

Will Cam Jones be your MJ food poisoning guy, or will it be David Jolpin?

If you’re right I hope someone steps it up, but that’s a lot to place on one game

[swoopem]

Shaka’s most talented team was his first year?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

So it's Final Four or season-ending flameout?  no in-between?  solely decided tonight?

Correct.  If we lose tonight to the #2 team in the country without our All-American PG there's no need to watch another game until November. 

[Its DJOver]

I've never seen someone miss so badly on all 11 analogies of their post, but here we are...

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'm expecting Amadou and Lucas to come up big down the stretch to lead us to victory, and thus a pre-ordained visit to the Final 4. 

[MUbiz]

If we lose tonight shorthanded, it's the end of the season? 

[Scoop Snoop]

A little overdramatic maybe?

 I'm hoping for a miraculous win and expecting a loss. If it was any other team than UCONN, I would be confident that we win, and that includes Creighton. I'm not willing to write this game off before tip-off and know well that we just may win it. There is nothing wrong with expressing what one believes to be a realistic take on our prospects. And I would absolutely LOVE to have to eat my words. Anyone needing a punching bag with a win tonight, go for it. I'm available.

We will be fine and ready for the Big Dance. Relax!

[Galway Eagle]

So we're just glossing over this guy saying Shakas first team was the most talented?

[MU82]

So we're just glossing over this guy saying Shakas first team was the most talented?

Pretty typical post for this guy. Using silliness to troll for more silliness.

[mug644]

Shaka’s most talented team was his first year?

So we're just glossing over this guy saying Shakas first team was the most talented?

duanewade wrote: "...If the later (sic) happens, then this season will start to feel like the Hauser brother/Howard February/March collapse or the 1st year Shaka collapse that happened in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette."

I don't read it the way you two are reading it. He's saying that the season will be like the Hauser/Howard collapse or Shaka's first year collapse that happened. He doesn't want that to happen, but if we lose tonight if will start to feel like that "in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette." That is, this year is his most talented MU roster to date.

Poorly worded, and I get how you can interpret it as you did, but I don't think he was implying what you inferred.

[ATWizJr]

Waaay overstated.

[MuMark]

Hiroshima 2 ……smh

Nothing like over reacting before the game even starts.

Relax…..give the seniors their earned tribute…….hope to find a way to beat a better team even without our best player.

If they don’t? Go get em on Saturday..

[Herman Cain]

Either we dig deep tonight and find a way to win... if we do win this game it will have the same legendary longevity in MU fan's memory banks as the two key 2003 performances of the at Louisville comeback and the Kentucky Wade triple double blowout in Minneapolis.

Or do we come out and lose and blame it on playing a very good team without Kolek while also blaming it on tired legs and several players overcoming a flu bug. 

If the prior happens then this team is tough and has shown they overcame the failed Wisconsin test and we now might have what it takes to have another magical run to the Final 4 in Phoenix.

If the later happens, then this season will start to feel like the Hauser brother/Howard February/March collapse or the 1st year Shaka collapse that happened in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette.  So a loss will also mean we have to pro forma a loss at Xavier, as well as, early losses in NYC and March Madness. 

Or will someone rise and carry us and refuse to let us lose like the Michael Jordan Utah food poisoning game, or the Tiger Woods playing through a partially torn ACL to win another US Open.  We will need some kind of heroic/legendary performance from one of our players tonight to help us turn the tide from a late season slide back to a resurgence of a team with unfinished business. 

One way or the other tonight's game will give us the answer.  TBD.

The most likely candidates to step up and have monster games tonight are Oso and Kam. Oso will bring the passing we need . Jop will also need to make a major contribution. Ideally 32 or more strong minutes from starters . 20 ish from Ben and 10 ish each from the frosh.

[TallTitan34]

Completely agree and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say the entire 2035-36 Marquette season rides on tonight.

[BrewCity83]

Completely agree and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say the entire 2035-36 Marquette season rides on tonight.

Nailed it!  All of the current 1st and 2nd grader-prospects will be eliminating Marquette from consideration tonight if they are left with a disappointing loss, rendering the 2035-36 team woefully under-talented.

[WhiteTrash]

Anything short of a DePaul like 30 point blowout of UCONN tonight will be embarrassing and clear sign we need to move to the Summit League.

I'm just glad TK passed away (RIP) before this might happen. It would have broke his already failing heart.

[Shooter McGavin]

I've never seen someone miss so badly on all 11 analogies of their post, but here we are...

That’s what makes the post so impressive. 

[Newsdreams]

Not reading that short story

[GoFastAndWin]

duanewade is Frank Kaminsky’s long-lost great uncle. I thought everyone here knew that.

Got his start in “journalism”  in Madison for a failed parody newspaper, The Garlic Clove …the predecessor to TheOnion 🧅. Stop feeding the troll.

[Johnny B]

This isn’t over dramatic as hell

[willie warrior]

The most likely candidates to step up and have monster games tonight are Oso and Kam. Oso will bring the passing we need . Jop will also need to make a major contribution. Ideally 32 or more strong minutes from starters . 20 ish from Ben and 10 ish each from the frosh.

GooooollldBrick

[PointWarrior]

poor analogies and punctuation - missing a comma, he means this season is the most talented to date IMHO...


If the later happens, then this season will start to feel like the Hauser brother/Howard February/March collapse or the 1st year Shaka collapse that happened in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette.

should read:

If the later happens, then this season will start to feel like the Hauser brother/Howard February/March collapse or the 1st year Shaka collapse that happened, in spite of him having his most talented roster to date at Marquette.

So we're just glossing over this guy saying Shakas first team was the most talented?

[Goose]

Rocket

I actually think he thinks the first year was the most talented.

[Uncle Rico]

This thread is Willie stupid

[Newsdreams]

This thread is Willie stupid

Dung thread

[oilcan]

The best team in the country is coming to town tonight. And don't forget, it is the last game in Milwaukee for the Golden Eagles. Eleven players will hustle and scratch like it will take everything they've got. I expect to see them win. To do what it takes. The Warriors will be ready and the fans will inspire and breathe life into the team for forty minutes. Enjoy it. Tip off in an hour.

[Newsdreams]

The best team in the country is coming to town tonight. And don't forget, it is the last game in Milwaukee for the Golden Eagles. Eleven players will hustle and scratch like it will take everything they've got. I expect to see them win. To do what it takes. The Warriors will be ready and the fans will inspire and breathe life into the team for forty minutes. Enjoy it. Tip off in an hour.

Won't even cover

[CountryRoads]

The best team in the country is coming to town tonight. And don't forget, it is the last game in Milwaukee for the Golden Eagles. Eleven players will hustle and scratch like it will take everything they've got. I expect to see them win. To do what it takes. The Warriors will be ready and the fans will inspire and breathe life into the team for forty minutes. Enjoy it. Tip off in an hour.

💯

[joparks]

So everyone seems to be hung up on this, This is what he meant, I know because I know the guy.

He does not feel that Shaka's first team was the most talented.  This year's team is the most talented team and the point he is making is that should we lose this game, it's going to start to feel a bit like that implosion at the end of the 2018-19 season or how the 2021-22 team (Shaka's first) lost 6 of their last 9 games.  It's going to feel like those seasons despite the fact that he has his most talented team to date this year.

I believe a win certainly buoys the overall confidence of the team.  A loss, doesn't write them off but you can't string a lot of these "we could have won if we had Kolek" games before it starts becoming a crutch.  We had one of those on Saturday at Creighton.  They played their asses off because they were missing TK and Oso and ran out of gas. You get another one tonight and another next Saturday at Xavier and that can start to brew into a problem.  Excuses for losses have a way of rationalizing that it's ok to lose.  Once you rationalize that it's ok to lose, it's over.  That's why I'd like to see the boys pull it off tonight which should announce to all of CBB - Kolek or no Kolek, we are going to be a tough out.

[Uncle Rico]

So everyone seems to be hung up on this, This is what he meant, I know because I know the guy.

He does not feel that Shaka's first team was the most talented.  This year's team is the most talented team and the point he is making is that should we lose this game, it's going to start to feel a bit like that implosion at the end of the 2018-19 season or how the 2021-22 team (Shaka's first) lost 6 of their last 9 games.  It's going to feel like those seasons despite the fact that he has his most talented team to date this year.

I believe a win certainly buoys the overall confidence of the team.  A loss, doesn't write them off but you can't string a lot of these "we could have won if we had Kolek" games before it starts becoming a crutch.  We had one of those on Saturday at Creighton.  They played their asses off because they were missing TK and Oso and ran out of gas. You get another one tonight and another next Saturday at Xavier and that can start to brew into a problem.  Excuses for losses have a way of rationalizing that it's ok to lose.  Once you rationalize that it's ok to lose, it's over.  That's why I'd like to see the boys pull it off tonight which should announce to all of CBB - Kolek or no Kolek, we are going to be a tough out.

Willie dumb

[CountryRoads]

should we lose this game, it's going to start to feel a bit like that implosion at the end of the 2018-19

Sorry, but you lost me here.

[tower912]

Why?  Are there disgruntled players undercutting the program from within?

[Newsdreams]

Why?  Are there disgruntled players undercutting the program from within?

Always, Q lurks!

[joparks]

Sorry, but you lost me here.

It's an interpretation on what Duane said, his thoughts.  The statement is that he feels a loss tonight could possibly lead to another loss on Sat which then it starts feeling like 2018-19.  It's a pretty straightforward statement if you focus on the result and not the why it happened.  We lost 6 of our last 7 that year and our last 4 reg season games.  Duane sees parallels - with the results, not how it happened. Keep in mind, this is from a fan's perspective and not from the perspective of someone on the team.  We don't know what they are thinking. Maybe Shaka's got all of them locked in which if that is the case, this whole exercise is just Duane sounding an alarm for something that doesn't come.

[jesmu84]

It's an interpretation on what Duane said, his thoughts.  The statement is that he feels a loss tonight could possibly lead to another loss on Sat which then it starts feeling like 2018-19.  It's a pretty straightforward statement if you focus on the result and not the why it happened.  We lost 6 of our last 7 that year and our last 4 reg season games.  Duane sees parallels - with the results, not how it happened. Keep in mind, this is from a fan's perspective and not from the perspective of someone on the team.  We don't know what they are thinking. Maybe Shaka's got all of them locked in which if that is the case, this whole exercise is just Duane sounding an alarm for something that doesn't come.

You're a good friend

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I thought it was a funny joke until someone tried to explain it.

[joparks]

Why?  Are there disgruntled players undercutting the program from within?

So Tower, no, this isn't a direct comparison to the 2018-19 season where someone as you suggest torpedoed the program from within. That year was mentioned simply for the result we all saw, not how it happened. From an outside perspective, as it was happening in 2018-19, they had a couple of losses and suddenly were in a tailspin they couldn't pull out of.  If there are parallels, it's only the results.  The how and why aren't factored here which makes it a loose argument.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

A Scooper with a spokesperson!?!

[Newsdreams]

A Scooper with a spokesperson!?!

Amazing really

[Newsdreams]

So Tower, no, this isn't a direct comparison to the 2018-19 season where someone as you suggest torpedoed the program from within. That year was mentioned simply for the result we all saw, not how it happened. From an outside perspective, as it was happening in 2018-19, they had a couple of losses and suddenly were in a tailspin they couldn't pull out of.  If there are parallels, it's only the results.  The how and why aren't factored here which makes it a loose argument.

LOL, wtf is going on

[Goose]

This thread should have been one post long. N

[duanewade]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

[CountryRoads]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

You were spot on. Everything has been settled. It was fun while it lasted.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

Were you aware that Marquette was missing its best player?

[Hards Alumni]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

[Jay Bee]

Thankfully the tourney is a crapshoot & anything is possible.

[TallTitan34]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

Joparks, come get your guy.

[Lennys Tap]

Why?  Are there disgruntled players undercutting the program from within?

Or an incompetent head coach who has lost the team?

[lawdog77]

Or an incompetent head coach who has lost the team?

Or are we less than 12 months away from another pandemic?

[MU82]

More like:

[NickelDimer]

Scoop never disappoints. Ok it disappoints all the time but when it doesn’t it’s magic

[willie warrior]

Last night told us a lot. In the PAST 2 games that MU has lost without Kolek the entire team has had a total of 8 assists. Kolek sometimes has that by half time.
The team is not going anywhere without a healthy Kolek. Wishing or hoping they will does not make it so. He absolutely drives the offense and without him MU has very little chance.

[Uncle Rico]

Last night told us a lot. In the PAST 2 games that MU has lost without Kolek the entire team has had a total of 8 assists. Kolek sometimes has that by half time.
The team is not going anywhere without a healthy Kolek. Wishing or hoping they will does not make it so. He absolutely drives the offense and without him MU has very little chance.

Do you forget to flush toilets?

[wadesworld]

Last night told us a lot. In the PAST 2 games that MU has lost without Kolek the entire team has had a total of 8 assists. Kolek sometimes has that by half time.
The team is not going anywhere without a healthy Kolek. Wishing or hoping they will does not make it so. He absolutely drives the offense and without him MU has very little chance.

Your stat number is wrong.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Your stat number is wrong.

Shocking. The next time Willie is right about something will be the first time

[Goose]

As MU has gotten better the level of knowledge from scoopers has shrunk. I am happy that more people are engaging, but there really are a good number folks that do not shxt about college basketball.

[Newsdreams]

Do you forget to flush toilets?

Dung flush

[Scoop Snoop]

Joparks, come get your guy.

No need. Joparks and duanewade are the same guy.

[BrewCity83]

duanewade, now show us your own obituary.  We know you've already written it.

[willie warrior]

Your stat number is wrong.

Yeah it looks like they had 14 total. Does not change the point that Kolek is the driving force behind the offense. They need him healthy. The haters out there can wish and hope the team can win without him in the stretch, as I even do, but that is not reality

[wadesworld]

Yeah it looks like they had 14 total. Does not change the point that Kolek is the driving force behind the offense. They need him healthy. The haters out there can wish and hope the team can win without him in the stretch, as I even do, but that is not reality

Well, closer this time at least.

[Uncle Rico]

Yeah it looks like they had 14 total. Does not change the point that Kolek is the driving force behind the offense. They need him healthy. The haters out there can wish and hope the team can win without him in the stretch, as I even do, but that is not reality

I think it’s terrible you grew up in a home full of lead paint

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yeah it looks like they had 14 total. Does not change the point that Kolek is the driving force behind the offense. They need him healthy. The haters out there can wish and hope the team can win without him in the stretch, as I even do, but that is not reality

Are you having trouble reading the stat sheets? Or is it the addition giving you trouble?

Assists no matta. They are a style state. An unassisted shot counts just as much as an assisted shot. Alabama has the #1 rated offense by far but is 145th in assist/fgm. Illinois has the #4 rated offense but is 315th in a/fgm.

[GoFastAndWin]

And Willie doesn’t like the style-state MU basketball currently is living in.

Good post TAMU, but I want the great state of TKO re-admitted to our MU hoops union, stat!

Let the beer 🍺 and dimes 🏀 flow in New York and then Indiana or Nebraska!!!

[duanewade]

Unfortunately, last night played out like expected with no real surprises.  It's now crystal clear that this a very nice team that we can be proud of but a team with only a Sweet 16 ceiling.  Hopefully we make the Sweet 16, which is still a great honor and a very difficult thing to do.  A couple years from now we'll try to make a run again.  Next year's team will be weaker than this one, so even a 2025 NCAA tournament birth is difficult to foresee at this point. 

Once again the talking heads were right and we were too excited with the noise to evaluate our own demons... namely lack of rebounding, lack of a killer instinct from our players which showed in the Wisconsin and UConn road debacles, inconsistent shooting, too many unforced turnovers, and a lack of defense/athletic ability with the Jop for Omax trade.

https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/29/magic-eight-teams-that-can-win-the-2024-ncaa-mens-tournament

I hate being right so often.   :'(

The Wisconsin game is an annual harbinger of the make up of our team.  Unfortunately, we never should have lost to them with our senior laden team, with such superior talent to boot.  When we did, and lost the way we did, it just gave me pause that this team had what it takes to be great.  Well sadly a similar scenario played out again tonight where we also lost convincingly to a team we should have beat by 10+ points.