Consider the 1 point buzzer beater loss to Butler, 2 point OT loss at Cincinnati, and 2 point breakdown at GB. Amazing considering expectations before the season. We are still in a great position and the season has been a blast.
Quote from: Stronghold on March 05, 2013, 08:05:15 AM
Consider the 1 point buzzer beater loss to Butler, 2 point OT loss at Cincinnati, and 2 point breakdown at GB. Amazing considering expectations before the season. We are still in a great position and the season has been a blast.
Such only adds emphasis to the reasons no one wants to play MU in March.
Quote from: Stronghold on March 05, 2013, 08:05:15 AM
Consider the 1 point buzzer beater loss to Butler, 2 point OT loss at Cincinnati, and 2 point breakdown at GB. Amazing considering expectations before the season. We are still in a great position and the season has been a blast.
It cuts the other way too. If Junior's shot against UConn doesn't drop, if they line the teams up the right way and that basket stands, if Whittington hits the 3rd FT, etc.
But, you're right. It has been a blast to see them in this position. We just have to win the next two and root like hell for Nova and Syracuse.
I agree with you completely; it's been an awesome season -- and I'm looking forward to a great post-season with this team.
But, the title of this thread reveals just how thin the line can be between "success" and "failure." The title of the thread could just as easily have been, "This team is 4 points from being 18-10 and 7th in the Big East."
The games turned out the way they turned out. This isn't meant to be negative at all...just a realization of how the difference between a great season and a so-so season can be a couple free throws here and there. Thankfully, our "bad" loss isn't really going to hurt us, and we should get a pretty good seed. Exciting stuff, and a great season by our team and coach.
We're also 8 points away from being 17-11, unranked, and fighting for our life on the bubble. (UConn, G-Town, Pitt, Cuse)
It does cut both ways, and it does so for every other team out there as well. At the end of the day, you pretty much are what your schedule/record says you are.
Quote from: NavinRJohnson on March 05, 2013, 08:23:13 AM
It does cut both ways, and it does so for every other team out there as well. At the end of the day, you pretty much are what your schedule/record says you are.
And we are a pretty good team that can beat most people (Louisville and Florida we just don't matchup well with) or can lose to teams we have no business losing to, UWGB.
Obviously it cuts both ways, but no one dreams about being 17-11 and unranked. At least not me. What we have I am thankful for, I was just pointing out how close we were to being considered "elite" if you will.
Marquette has played 6 games this season that were basically one play from going the other way.
Butler
@UWGB
UConn
Georgetown
@Pitt
@Cincy
MU is 3-3 in those games which simply means they're a good team (earthshattering info, I know). A great team would be at least 5-1 and an average team would be 2-4 or worse.
Marquette is right where they should be, not great but better than average.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on March 05, 2013, 08:54:24 AM
MU is 3-3 in those games which simply means they're a good team (earthshattering info, I know). A great team would be at least 5-1 and an average team would be 2-4 or worse.
Marquette is right where they should be, not great but better than average.
That's not really true:
http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/memphis_choked...or_did_they (http://kenpom.com/blog/index.php/weblog/entry/memphis_choked...or_did_they)
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on March 05, 2013, 08:54:24 AM
Marquette has played 6 games this season that were basically one play from going the other way.
Butler
@UWGB
UConn
Georgetown
@Pitt
@Cincy
MU is 3-3 in those games which simply means they're a good team (earthshattering info, I know). A great team would be at least 5-1 and an average team would be 2-4 or worse.
Marquette is right where they should be, not great but better than average.
Pomeroy would call these games "coin flips" and say they're about luck, not good, great or average. While I agree luck plays a part, I agree with you - how a team plays in the nail biters helps define them.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on March 05, 2013, 09:16:43 AM
Pomeroy would call these games "coin flips" and say they're about luck, not good, great or average. While I agree luck plays a part, I agree with you - how a team plays in the nail biters helps define them.
I believe that that is the opposite of Pomeroy's point.
"Of course, if you're familiar with my work you know where I stand on this. If your opinion of Memphis was significantly influenced by whether a 35% three-point shooter made a three-point shot, you're doing it wrong."
I think that Pomeroy would be more likely to say that
who you are playing nail biters with tells you who your peers are. Whether or not you beat them or lose a close one to them, is pretty much based on luck.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on March 05, 2013, 08:54:24 AM
Marquette has played 6 games this season that were basically one play from going the other way.
Butler
@UWGB
UConn
Georgetown
@Pitt
@Cincy
MU is 3-3 in those games which simply means they're a good team (earthshattering info, I know). A great team would be at least 5-1 and an average team would be 2-4 or worse.
Marquette is right where they should be, not great but better than average.
For the most part, MU is playing close games with very good teams, so I'd say that it it indicates that MU is a not just better than average, but a very good team. (One that deserves to be ranked in the top 20.)
Being a very good team, going undefeated at home, as well as beating our two biggest rivals (Wisco and ND), having other big wins (Georgetown and Syracuse), and contending for the Big East title in its last year, all are contributing to this season (in Stronghold's words) being a blast.
Quote from: Stronghold on March 05, 2013, 08:05:15 AM
Consider the 1 point buzzer beater loss to Butler, 2 point OT loss at Cincinnati, and 2 point breakdown at GB. Amazing considering expectations before the season. We are still in a great position and the season has been a blast.
I think it's not even that far away. If Jake hits the shot against UWGB, we are 22 - 6 with no bad losses. With that record I think we are 10th this week with MSU 11th.
Here is this week's top 15.
1 Gonzaga (51) 29-2 1,607
2 Indiana (7) 25-4 1,517
3 Duke (5) 25-4 1,471
4 Kansas 25-4 1,433
5 Georgetown (2) 23-4 1,384
6 Miami (FL) 23-5 1,245
7 Michigan 24-5 1,240
8 Louisville 24-5 1,217
9 Kansas State 24-5 1,040
10 Michigan State 22-7 1,006
11 Florida 23-5 993
12 New Mexico 25-4 950
13 Oklahoma State 22-6 833
14 Ohio State 21-7 763
15 Marquette 21-7 687
I would not really want to replay any of the games, with exception of GB. I am not so sure that if we had to do it again that we would be in as good of a position as the first time around.
Quote from: AnotherMU84 on March 05, 2013, 01:07:39 PM
I think it's not even that far away. If Jake hits the shot against UWGB, we are 22 - 6 with no bad losses. With that record I think we are 10th this week with MSU 11th.
Here is this week's top 15.
1 Gonzaga (51) 29-2 1,607
2 Indiana (7) 25-4 1,517
3 Duke (5) 25-4 1,471
4 Kansas 25-4 1,433
5 Georgetown (2) 23-4 1,384
6 Miami (FL) 23-5 1,245
7 Michigan 24-5 1,240
8 Louisville 24-5 1,217
9 Kansas State 24-5 1,040
10 Michigan State 22-7 1,006
11 Florida 23-5 993
12 New Mexico 25-4 950
13 Oklahoma State 22-6 833
14 Ohio State 21-7 763
15 Marquette 21-7 687
I bet Florida would be 10, we would be 11 and mich st would be 12