I can't wipe the smile off my face this morning. I have enjoyed every minute of MU Ball so far this season. Yes, even the painful loss to Dayton (it happens) and losing to TN (they were the better team that night...what can you do?). But nothing compares to the excitement for the Big East season to start! It will be brutal. But I'd rather our men compete at the highest level and see how we stack up with the best in the country than be Memphis and just starting the 'cupcake season'. And we might as well start with a bang with top25 nova on national TV.
LET'S GO MARQUETTE!!!
Incidentally, mods, the ticker says we play on ESPN2...but the little magical machine that I like to call the "DVR Box" says we are on the FLAGSHIP!
Yes, we are on ESPN the Flagship.
Personally, I think Villanova is vastly overrated from the games that I have caught this year. They are only seven deep, so we don't have to be worried about getting overly tired. Cunningham and Pena are their being threats, both at 6'8" so they are as small as us. We have much better guard play, and if we can keep Stokes from torching us from behind the arc, this shouldn't be an overly difficult game.
I worry about the BC atmosphere more than any ting else.
Who? Never heard of them.
Cunningham is our biggest match-up problem. We don't have an answer for him. DB needs to play great post defense to limit him, but they will try and go inside to him all day. That opens things up for Stokes from treyland.
DJ will be on Reynolds, JM on Stokes, Zar on Pena. Our bench and our Bigs decide the outcome.
I'm hoping that students come back for this game, although since it is still during break it is hard for underclassman to come back since they would have no where to stay. Secondly, its on New Years Day, which personally I think is a dumb thing to do. There will be a good group of loud students in 106 who waited out in the cold for this game though!
I have a feeling we are going to need all the help we can get from the alumni. They were great during the Wisconsin game!
Sitting in 214 for this game... right in the middle of the casual fan alumni base. I'm gonna count how many times I get told to sit down, and report back.
I think at the very least the student section will fill up the lower bowl... seems to be par for the course during the conference games over break.
Quote from: marqptm on December 29, 2008, 09:50:35 AM
Yes, we are on ESPN the Flagship.
Personally, I think Villanova is vastly overrated from the games that I have caught this year. They are only seven deep, so we don't have to be worried about getting overly tired. Cunningham and Pena are their being threats, both at 6'8" so they are as small as us. We have much better guard play, and if we can keep Stokes from torching us from behind the arc, this shouldn't be an overly difficult game.
I worry about the BC atmosphere more than any ting else.
You could almost say the same thing about us. For all intents and purposes, we only go about 7 deep. I would not expect to see much of Fulce or Otule in this one
I will be there with my wife and sister...we'll all bring the noise!! I would bet there will be a big crowd there, though.
79, I think we will see Fulce and Otule in small doses, 1-2 minutes at a time, while Buzz works them into the rotation. I predict about 6 minutes for each. If they make the most of their limited time, we will win handily.
I'll be heading up from Chicago with my daughter - so we will help make some noise - we need this win!
Let's GO MARQUETTE!
We'll be there in 227. I'll be the one cheering loudly, but my hubby is usually pretty sedate (except when he told Barry Alvarez to shut up and sit down).
Does Chicos have this down as a loss?
I like our chances Thursday - this is the type of game MU NEEDS to get, at home against a pretty evenly matched team. I have some concerns about the BC atmosphere as well but hopefully fans put this over any bowl game that's on and students (although the section won't be close to full I'm guessing) are as rowdy as we were during Novak's 41 and 16 the day after New Years 3 years ago.
Just watched Vill play Temple.. second time I've seen them on tv this year and had the same thought as the first time.. they look very beatable. They were behind for quite a bit of the game.. Temple's vaunted play? I think not, yet they were able to penetrate Vill's zone with predictable plays. Shooting on both sides stunk and the score at 8 minutes left was like 36-40. Vill did go on a bit of a run after that to open the game up and ultimately win but that seemed to be because Temple really just fell apart at that point. I like our chances.
I am a current student and none of my friends or other people on my floor are coming back...it's just too hard! People live out of state or too far away to come back let alone on new years day after a night of partying. Don't expect much of a student turnout. However, i'll be there!
Beatable INDEED. I haven't been too impressed when I've seen them on TV. They gave Texas a run, but that game (their only real neutral site game) was never really in doubt. We'll see how they perform when they actually have to GET ON A PLANE. Asside from the Tx game at MSG, their entire season has been played in Philly.
How difficult will it be to get tickets for 6 on game day?
Good Luck Marquette!
For what it's worth, MU's providing free shuttles from Schaumberg and Appleton. If you're a student living in Chicago or Northern WI, try making the trip! Here's the info:
Schaumberg shuttle: loading at 9:30am from Sears at Woodfield Mall
Appleton shuttle: loading at 9:30am from Sears at Fox River Mall
Quote from: VUhoops on December 30, 2008, 11:33:07 AM
Good Luck Marquette!
And to you guys as well VU. It looks like a great game and I think we'll match up well. :)
P.S. VUhoops.com - nice site!
Quote from: spiral97 on December 30, 2008, 07:35:44 PM
And to you guys as well VU. It looks like a great game and I think we'll match up well. :)
P.S. VUhoops.com - nice site!
Thanks.
Quote from: MUfan12 on December 29, 2008, 11:26:21 AM
Sitting in 214 for this game... right in the middle of the casual fan alumni base. I'm gonna count how many times I get told to sit down, and report back.
I think at the very least the student section will fill up the lower bowl... seems to be par for the course during the conference games over break.
Ok MUfan12, let's hear your official report :)
It was hard to tell, but it appeared to be a decent crowd.
Anyone else notice on TV they referred to the big 3 as Lazar Jerel and Wes in the scoring graphic?
Quote from: MU_B2002 on January 02, 2009, 12:39:08 AM
Anyone else notice on TV they referred to the big 3 as Lazar Jerel and Wes in the scoring graphic?
oh, i know, i was there -- i am wondering how many times he was asked to take a seat :)
Since i was there in person, i didn't hear that particular faux pas.... however, did anyone see DJ was said to be from Richmond,
Virginia at the NCSU game?!?!? Jeez, it's only his 4th year being on TV!
Quote from: rugbydrummer on January 02, 2009, 12:25:16 AM
Ok MUfan12, let's hear your official report :)
Was not told to sit down, but received several funny looks ;)
As cool as it was being that close... I could never make it in that area. 75% of the people around me had no MU stuff on, and gave golf claps the entire game.
Hell, if I paid that much money for those tickets, Tim Higgins would know me by voice :)
There were so many graphical and statistical errors I lost count. It was an embarassment and looked like the first time that ESPN has brodcast a game.
Other than some of the gafs, I thought the team was okay. Fraschilla gets a little coachy/preachy at times (like when he starting instructing all viewers to use the top corner of the square on the backboard...a la Wes). But overall, he's okay to listen to. I thought the kid he was with (can't recall the name) did a decent job of calling the game and staying out of the way of the analysis. But he needs to get a grownup haircut. Looked like his stylist was an electrician.
And according to the mothership, Burke is freshman.