Well that blew. The way I see it, we only have 2 ways left to make the tournament.
1) Win 4 now. Win @PROV, SJU, and the first two games of the tournament, with 1 of those wins being against either NOVA or CREI. This may not be enough, but it should at least get us in contention.
2) Win the BET
Hopefully Buzz rallies the troops and we take care of business in the MSG
Agreed... If feel strongly that the first scenario will do the trick. In fact, doing so and losing in semis (Creighton or Nova) would put MU's record at 7-2 against the BE's bubblish tourney teams (X, Prov, StJ, Gtown). That's pretty impressive and would probably give us a sweat on selection sunday.
Just win.
Quote from: wardle2wade on March 02, 2014, 03:26:43 PM
Agreed... If feel strongly that the first scenario will do the trick. In fact, doing so and losing in semis (Creighton or Nova) would put MU's record at 7-2 against the BE's bubblish tourney teams (X, Prov, StJ, Gtown). That's pretty impressive and would probably give us a sweat on selection sunday.
But it still doesn't get us any real quality wins, just so-so wins.
Part of my issue with this club is not only don't we have any good scalps, there are times we don't even belong on the floor. Today we had two of their best players sitting on the bench for huge chunks of the first half and we could do nothing. The games against Creighton, the blowout loss at Xavier, the blowout loss at home to Ohio State...ugh. Sure, we hung in with UW and SDSU, but those games were a long time ago.
Maybe next 4 does it, but I think they have to get to the finals for at large...if they win it, of course they go automatically.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 02, 2014, 03:32:57 PM
But it still doesn't get us any real quality wins, just so-so wins.
Part of my issue with this club is not only don't we have any good scalps, there are times we don't even belong on the floor. Today we had two of their best players sitting on the bench for huge chunks of the first half and we could do nothing. The games against Creighton, the blowout loss at Xavier, the blowout loss at home to Ohio State...ugh. Sure, we hung in with UW and SDSU, but those games were a long time ago.
Maybe next 4 does it, but I think they have to get to the finals for at large...if they win it, of course they go automatically.
The next 4 does get us to the finals. And would give us either Creighton or Nova's scalp, unless they lose their first game.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 02, 2014, 03:32:57 PM
But it still doesn't get us any real quality wins, just so-so wins.
Part of my issue with this club is not only don't we have any good scalps, there are times we don't even belong on the floor. Today we had two of their best players sitting on the bench for huge chunks of the first half and we could do nothing. The games against Creighton, the blowout loss at Xavier, the blowout loss at home to Ohio State...ugh. Sure, we hung in with UW and SDSU, but those games were a long time ago.
Maybe next 4 does it, but I think they have to get to the finals for at large...if they win it, of course they go automatically.
Regarding "at times it looks like we don't belong on the floor," such is the make-up of a bubble team. Look at the last 8 teams in and first 8 out and they all have losses on their resume of 15+ point losses. Some have even lost by 30 in a game.
What makes it feel worse is (1) we watch MU games in their entirety, and (2) Buzz teams in general have not been blownout like this in past years... we're not accustomed to this.
I agree... lack of major scalps is definitely our greatest flaw. Would be great to get to BE finals by beating Nova/Creighton.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 02, 2014, 03:39:28 PM
The next 4 does get us to the finals. And would give us either Creighton or Nova's scalp, unless they lose their first game.
You're right....does put us in the finals. There's your answer then, win the next 4
What makes anyone think that this team can put together any kind of "run" or "string of victories" against quality competition? It hasn't happened all year. This is not an NCAA team, under any scenario, outside of winning the BE tourney...which isn't happening.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on March 02, 2014, 03:46:15 PM
What makes anyone think that this team can put together any kind of "run" or "string of victories" against quality competition? It hasn't happened all year. This is not an NCAA team, under any scenario, outside of winning the BE tourney...which isn't happening.
I don't think folks are saying it is likely.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on March 02, 2014, 03:46:15 PM
What makes anyone think that this team can put together any kind of "run" or "string of victories" against quality competition? It hasn't happened all year. This is not an NCAA team, under any scenario, outside of winning the BE tourney...which isn't happening.
I would not bet on it, but it can happen if all of our players start playing well at the same time. Need Jamil, Mayo, Thomas and Davante all clicking on a high level or the other team having an off day.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on March 02, 2014, 03:46:15 PM
What makes anyone think that this team can put together any kind of "run" or "string of victories" against quality competition? It hasn't happened all year. This is not an NCAA team, under any scenario, outside of winning the BE tourney...which isn't happening.
+1. It hasnt happened all year.
I'd just like to point out that CBB has 3 posts in this thread and hasn't brought up Crean...yet. ;)
The NCAAs were a pipedream even before today's debacle. Accept reality. We're NOT making the tournament.
Quote from: Boone on March 02, 2014, 08:49:33 PM
The NCAAs were a pipedream even before today's debacle. Accept reality. We're NOT making the tournament.
Nope. When a team goes 2-8 or 2-9 vs. the top 50 you've proven you don't deserve to be in the tournament. I think a mid major that hasn't had the same opportunities to prove themselves should get the chance. Say a conference winner that loses their championship game. I don't like it when the 7th team in the big ten makes it. I don't care if your RPI is 40, you finished below .500 in the league! But MN will probably make it.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on March 02, 2014, 03:46:15 PM
What makes anyone think that this team can put together any kind of "run" or "string of victories" against quality competition? It hasn't happened all year. This is not an NCAA team, under any scenario, outside of winning the BE tourney...which isn't happening.
Ok, then stop watching. The rest of us have a vested interest and find it interesting to know what to root for. At this point all they can do is win—and whether they've managed to so far is immaterial to my rooting for them to start now.
I just don't see how anyone could watch the performane today and feel that this team belongs anywhere near the NCAA Tournament. We should not even among the first five selected for the NIT. Just a bad year but we will be back. Play the freshmen the rest of the way.
Quote from: NCMUFan on March 02, 2014, 03:27:10 PM
Just win.
Didn't work for the Oakland Raiders.
How about: "Play like it's your last game"?
Quote from: Utile et Dulce on March 02, 2014, 09:15:24 PM
Ok, then stop watching.
Why? I should only watch my team if I think they can win?
Quote from: Utile et Dulce on March 02, 2014, 09:15:24 PM
The rest of us have a vested interest and find it interesting to know what to root for.
If you don't know what to root for at this point, then you're not a very knowledgeable fan.
Quote from: Utile et Dulce on March 02, 2014, 09:15:24 PM
and whether they've managed to so far is immaterial to my rooting for them to start now.
Once again, I will always root for MU, but what they have done so far
is material. They have been unable to beat any high-quality opponent, outside of Xavier. Nothing we've seen so far indicates that they are going to be able to beat Creighton and/or Villanova to win the BE tourney. I hope it happens, but the team is what the performance has shown, not what we fans want or hope they are.