ESPN Rumor Central: Things now set up well for Marquette

[Tugg Speedman]

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/features/rumors

Things now set up well for Marquette
Feb 25, 2011
3:12 PM

UPDATE: How big was Marquette's overtime victory over UConn? In a word, HUGE.

By getting past the Huskies, the Golden Eagles cleared the biggest hurdle in its last four games of the regular season. Now Marquette is in a great position to make the NCAA tournament.

Winning two of its final three games (Providence and Cincinnati at home, Seton Hall on the road) would put Buzz Williams' team at 10-8 in the Big East, and, as ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi said yesterday, "A 10-8 Big East team with three RPI Top 25 wins is going to dance."

An absolutely huge win for the Golden Eagles. For more on Marquette's tournament chances, ESPN's Andy Katz chimes in below.

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Does Marquette have a chance to make the NCAA tournament? Yes, but the Golden Eagles still have work to do.

ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi writes today that Marquette must find a way to stay above .500 in the Big East. "The schedule makes that very possible with two home games (Providence and Cincinnati)," Lunardi writes, "and a real chance to split their remaining road dates (Thursday at UConn, March 5 at Seton Hall). A 10-8 Big East team with three RPI Top 25 wins is going to dance.

First things first, tonight's road tilt against No. 15 UConn. A win here and the Golden Eagles would move to 8-7 and would still need to win two out of three games against Providence (home), Cincinnati (home) and Seton Hall (road). A loss here, and they'd have to win all three. Either way, it's still possible Marquette gets in.

- Joe Kaiser

Andy Katz

Marquette closing in on NCAA tournament

"If the Golden Eagles can hold serve in their final three games -- beating Providence and Cincinnati at home and Seton Hall on the road -- they should be the 11th Big East team to receive an NCAA berth. There would be no New York bubble drama and nothing more for the Big East teams to play for other than NCAA seeding and overall pride. "

[bamamarquettefan]

uhhhh, appreciate Katz saying if we win our last three we should make the tournament - but I believe we would actually be looking at a pretty good seed at that point (11-7 in the BEAST), not really worried about if he thinks we make the dance.

[Buchec18]

The win was HUGE to say the least. But we better be on track to win these last three games. Do not take one for granted, as all are decent teams in the best conference in America.. win out and we are in for sure. They really have to keep it up. A few good scorers on those teams.

[wadesworld]

uhhhh, appreciate Katz saying if we win our last three we should make the tournament - but I believe we would actually be looking at a pretty good seed at that point (11-7 in the BEAST), not really worried about if he thinks we make the dance.

It depends on what you define as a "pretty good seed."  If we win our last 3 and assuming we lose in the BET we would end up with 12 losses for the year, probably 21 wins.  I would be shocked if we got above a 7 seed with 12 losses unless we're playing in the finals of the BET, and even then I'd say 5 is the highest we go.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I don't care about our seed and I won't believe we're "in" until I see "Marquette" pop up on my screen on Selection Sunday.

[79Warrior]

I don't care about our seed and I won't believe we're "in" until I see "Marquette" pop up on my screen on Selection Sunday.

Interesting Lunardi says we need to stay above .500 in the BE. 9-9 won't get it done.

[jsglow]

So am I reading that Katz actually thinks that MU needs to run the table to make the dance?  Respectfully sir, did you apply to MU back in the day and get rejected?  Because a BEast team with an 11-7 conference record is a 'lock'.  Heck, I believe them to be a 'lock' at 10-8 unless they were to lose to DePaul in New York.  Can we spit up the game tomorrow and be solid?  No, of course not.  But cripes Mr. Katz, what's with the hate?

[🏀]

So am I reading that Katz actually thinks that MU needs to run the table to make the dance?  Respectfully sir, did you apply to MU back in the day and get rejected?  Because a BEast team with an 11-7 conference record is a 'lock'.  Heck, I believe them to be a 'lock' at 10-8 unless they were to lose to DePaul in New York.  Can we spit up the game tomorrow and be solid?  No, of course not.  But cripes Mr. Katz, what's with the hate?

I think Katz was saying if we run the table, all 11 Big East teams will make the tournament easily. If we go 10-8, there may be some sweating.