Regardless of the fact that our seeding in the BE is locked this is a very important game.
First we need to prove to the committee that we can beat a top 25 team without DJ. Doubtful that we can beat Nova on 0 days rest and going into the NCAAs with losses to every top 25 team we faced since DJ went down would look very bad.
Second Syr is THE ONLY BE team these seniors have never beaten. Kind of strange given the fact that Syr certainly hasn't been the class of the BE the last 4 years but its true.
Can't afford to lay an egg like we did last year at Syr when our BE seeding was already decided.
Well, we have only played Syracuse twice so far in Big East play. In contrast, we have played Pitt, Louisville, Notre Dame and DePaul six times each.
Tomorrow should provide a decent and realistic barometer of where this team is. At home against Syracuse is certainly a game you could argue MU should win (although I have to admit this game has been whispering loss in my ear since the season started). I'm not sure three straight against 3 of the top 5-6 teams in the country provides a fair assessment opportunity.
I'd be willing to say that a win locks them in a 6 seed at worst, possibly 5 and a loss drops them into that 8 vs. 9 who has to play #1 seed in the second round. Its absolute huge game, the difference between a 1 seed and a 3 seed is night and day.
Yes, this a big game from all respects.
The past three games the Warriors were expected to lose (UCONN-Loserville-sPitt). MU is favored by 5 today and is expected to win. If we lose this game I will be very concerned. With all the heart they've shown I think they will bounce back and get the W!