To those of you who interact with me on here I am a die-hard Marquette fan. My passion for Marquette basketball started in 2003 the year Marquette made the Final four.
I attended the Marquette basketball camps ran by Tom Crean. They were awesome week filled drills, games and practices with the players. I got to play against Steve Novak and actually beat him with a turnaround jump shot. Although the game was just to 1 it was one of the better moments in my time. I got to interact with Robert Jackson, Townsend and Diener as well. Interacting with the players is one of the coolest memories and why I fell in love with Marquette Basketball.
Moving forward to going to games. One of my better friends in grade school was a bigger fan than I was because his dad was an Alum with season tickets. I couldn't afford to go to the games but one Saturday in 2002 in the non-conference schedule I was able to go to the game with him and the blimp that used to fly around the Bradley Center dropped tickets around the inner lower bowl during warmups. I was able to get tickets for the following Saturday and ironically was able to get more from the blimp to go to the following Saturday. The matchups were not great, I believe it was some teams along the lines of Coppin State, Elon and Grambling. Nothing major but it was spending quality time with my then 13 yr old friend.
Fast forward through our good years with Buzz we get to Wojo and my passion for this team begins to slowly die. It's not that I didn't like him as a coach, he could recruit with the best of them but imo he could not actually coach, make adjustments or direct a team the way they needed to be, IE Markus Howard situation. Long story short, the past 9 years for MU basketball has been downright painful to be a part of. We have toughed it out because of our passion for this team.
Coming to the game yesterday, the reason I am crushed is that I wanted that win to be the #1 team just as much as the team, city and follow members of this board wanted it. It's been so long since I feel we have been relevant and we are there do not get me wrong, we are there. I just wanted it so bad for the team to be #1 and we had it in the palm of our hands. Despite the fact that we should be top 3 still after beating Kansas, it just feels wrong that we came up short. We should fear nobody moving forward, and I am so excited about the future of this team. A final four appearance wipes yesterday's game out of my mind.
Yesterday's game was just a mileage marker in a long journey that will lead to a great destination.
I was disappointed for a bit, sure. But then, keeping with the theme of today, thankful we have such a talented, entertaining, successful team to follow.
Long season, with many exhilarating moments to come!
We Are Marquette!
MU played a very good team with rhe retuning NPOY on a neutral floor in November. They lost a one possession game.
Today, I am thankful.
Howards
I wanted to see MU #1 very badly this coming Monday and disappointed it will not happen. That said, there is no anyone that watches college basketball that does not know MU is a legit NC contender. I received texts from many non MU fans over the past two days that could not say enough about the team.
Trust me, I wanted to see #1 in a very way, but for the first time in my adult life I know they can win a NC this year. Give me #1 in 4+ months and we will be happy fanbase.
Y'all not supposed to drink the cooking wine ya know.
For Thanksgiving I am thankful that only three years ago we were being coached into irrelevance by Wojo and now have Shaka and we were four points away from being the number one team in the country. It is remarkable how quickly this happened. The best is yet to come!
Quote from: Goose on November 23, 2023, 08:47:59 AM
Howards
I wanted to see MU #1 very badly this coming Monday and disappointed it will not happen. That said, there is no anyone that watches college basketball that does not know MU is a legit NC contender. I received texts from many non MU fans over the past two days that could not say enough about the team.
Trust me, I wanted to see #1 in a very way, but for the first time in my adult life I know they can win a NC this year. Give me #1 in 4+ months and we will be happy fanbase.
We missed a great opportunity to be a shoo-in for the #1 ranking, but that does not mean there will not be another opportunity this season. Purdue is not invincible.
Like many others, I first focused on the miracle 75' 3 as the reason we did not go into overtime, but any one of our errors/miscues/blown shots could be presented as the reason(s).
There was nothing we could do about the 75" shot, but there were many things we could have done better. I am going to focus instead on the gutsy, never-say-die attitude of our team in nearly pulling a win out of that game. Contrast that with Kansas in the late second half.
Snoop
Two things, #1 there was no time prior to the final 7 seconds that I did not think MU could or would win. #2 there is not a coach in the country sitting around thinking that they want to play because they are good matchup for them.
This team is build for the long haul and no one wants to play MU. Sure, teams and fans might have MU game circled on the calendar, but it will end in disappointment for them. I have circled a lot of games over the past 45 years and a lot more disappointment than celebration. That ends this year.
Quote from: Goose on November 23, 2023, 09:13:19 AM
Snoop
Two things, #1 there was no time prior to the final 7 seconds that I did not think MU could or would win. #2 there is not a coach in the country sitting around thinking that they want to play because they are good matchup for them.
This team is build for the long haul and no one wants to play MU. Sure, teams and fans might have MU game circled on the calendar, but it will end in disappointment for them. I have circled a lot of games over the past 45 years and a lot more disappointment than celebration. That ends this year.
Oh, I was expecting a 3 to tie in the final 7 seconds. I just think that blaming the loss on one incredibly lucky shot is not being honest, although technically it is true (if that makes any sense). I prefer to focus on the positives in the aftermath- that was one Hell of a comeback against a team with a tree. We ARE the best team in the country, but the best team does not always win. Our chances of a natty are very high.
I take great pride in their second half comeback. Other teams would have just played the game out and lost by 20. But not these guys.
Snoop
I thought they would foul before getting off the three but was still hopeful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
While #1 is nice, I am quite happy with the amount of attention Marquette is getting. It's been a long while, but Shaka has gotten us squarely in the national conversation.
Heck, my friends of other (big ten) teams are now following Marquette as much as I do. They love Shaka, they love the style of play, one is happy we took it out on Bill Self. Lots of people are locked in on this team.
More importantly, recruits should love to play for Shaka, great style of play, fun team now and the future is very bright!
BC
Spot on. You would have to be a Badger fan to not appreciate the style of play, the fun atmosphere and having Shaka as a coach.
As Shaka keeps saying in the press conferences: It is only November. Many, many good things to come from this team. The season has barely started.
(https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.1334813372.0268/st,small,507x507-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg)
Quote from: rgoode57 on November 23, 2023, 09:52:06 AM
I take great pride in their second half comeback. Other teams would have just played the game out and lost by 20. But not these guys.
What other teams?
I also am happy with the way our guys rallied ... but, respectfully, most teams would have at least
tried to rally; they wouldn't have "just played the game out" down 12 with an entire half to go.
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/f6Fpssn07TPjy/200.webp?cid=ecf05e477uk3tsuiu9j7epw60v9fg4h6iddzmttgjf5n9dq2&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200.webp&ct=g)
Howard, we will be fine. No team is going to get through this season undefeated. Would I rather they won? Of course. But we proved this week that we can beat any team in the country.
We had doubters last week. Not now. To me, that is the most important thing that happened during the tournament.
Quote from: warriorchick on November 23, 2023, 12:27:06 PM
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/f6Fpssn07TPjy/200.webp?cid=ecf05e477uk3tsuiu9j7epw60v9fg4h6iddzmttgjf5n9dq2&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200.webp&ct=g)
Howard, we will be fine. No team is going to get through this season undefeated. Would I rather they won? Of course. But we proved this week that we can beat any team in the country.
We had doubters last week. Not now. To me, that is the most important thing that happened during the tournament.
100% agree.
Number 1 Monday would have been nice. I rather be number 1 after the championship game. As long as we do not get in the same bracket with Purdue, I think we have a very good chance to make final 4.
Quote from: bilsu on November 23, 2023, 12:41:59 PM
Number 1 Monday would have been nice. I rather be number 1 after the championship game. As long as we do not get in the same bracket with Purdue, I think we have a very good chance to make final 4.
We are better than Purdue - they got pretty much every break yesterday and still only won by three. We can play with anyone.
Quote from: bilsu on November 23, 2023, 12:41:59 PM
Number 1 Monday would have been nice. I rather be number 1 after the championship game. As long as we do not get in the same bracket with Purdue, I think we have a very good chance to make final 4.
I think we'll both be #1 seeds, so we won't be in the same bracket. But if one of us ends up a 2 or 3, I'd be just as happy to have them in our bracket as any other Elite 8 team.
I mean, you watched that game, with us having numerous chances to tie or take the lead down the stretch and came away with: "Nope, they're impossible to beat"? I mean, Fairleigh Effen Dickinson didn't find 'em impossible to beat!
Goose - even some of my die hard Badgers fans are turning. They love Shaka and style of play / recruits he gets. They are getting tired of watching paint dry and mediocre seasons in Madison.
Quote from: Goose on November 23, 2023, 11:05:59 AM
BC
Spot on. You would have to be a Badger fan to not appreciate the style of play, the fun atmosphere and having Shaka as a coach.
Quote from: MU82 on November 23, 2023, 08:38:48 AM
Yesterday's game was just a mileage marker in a long journey that will lead to a great destination.
Poetry, Mike. 100%.
I'm still a little crushed. We have to get the three ball rolling.
Quote from: PointWarrior on November 23, 2023, 03:32:38 PM
Goose - even some of my die hard Badgers fans are turning. They love Shaka and style of play / recruits he gets. They are getting tired of watching paint dry and mediocre seasons in Madison.
What's the style of play?
Quote from: HowardsWorld on November 23, 2023, 08:35:36 AM
Coming to the game yesterday, the reason I am crushed is that I wanted that win to be the #1 team just as much as the team, city and follow members of this board wanted it. It's been so long since I feel we have been relevant and we are there do not get me wrong, we are there. I just wanted it so bad for the team to be #1 and we had it in the palm of our hands. Despite the fact that we should be top 3 still after beating Kansas, it just feels wrong that we came up short. We should fear nobody moving forward, and I am so excited about the future of this team. A final four appearance wipes yesterday's game out of my mind.
HowardsWorld:
MU will get another shot at Number 1 during the regular season. If we do our part and win the tough non conference games, we continue to be highly ranked. I believe that at some point in the season U-Conn could possibly rise to Number 1 again and we will get two cracks at them possibly 3.
MU needs to stay as high as possible in the Poll Rankings and in NET Rankings ( when they come out) so we can get a shot at a 1 seed.
I know I'm in the minority, but AP rankings mean nothing, zilch, nada. Maui title would have been awesome, winning the BE would be awesome. All that matters to me is success in March/April.
Weenie post..get over it..we will be fine.
#1 on April 9th is the only #1 that matters.
MU will get a mid-season chance at #1 - when they beat UCONN away in February.
Quote from: JakeBarnes on November 23, 2023, 10:23:05 AM
While #1 is nice, I am quite happy with the amount of attention Marquette is getting. It's been a long while, but Shaka has gotten us squarely in the national conversation.
Heck, my friends of other (big ten) teams are now following Marquette as much as I do. They love Shaka, they love the style of play, one is happy we took it out on Bill Self. Lots of people are locked in on this team.
This. And Marquette showed they can play with any team in the country. Go Marquette!
I just can't get behind the idea that "nothing" matters until March and April. I love every chance I get to watch this team play, whether it's November or March. We have the ability to be playing into April, but it's all a journey. With college athletes and the 1 and done nature of the Tourney, I can't buy into the whole season resting on 40 minutes of basketball where there's no second chance if you have an off night.
Last season was freaking awesome, even with a second round exit. Of course the March/April success are what I want the most. But there's no way I care nothing about what happens up to that point. Every game is a blast to watch for me, and they all mean something.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 23, 2023, 10:25:07 PM
I just can't get behind the idea that "nothing" matters until March and April. I love every chance I get to watch this team play, whether it's November or March. We have the ability to be playing into April, but it's all a journey. With college athletes and the 1 and done nature of the Tourney, I can't buy into the whole season resting on 40 minutes of basketball where there's no second chance if you have an off night.
Last season was freaking awesome, even with a second round exit. Of course the March/April success are what I want the most. But there's no way I care nothing about what happens up to that point. Every game is a blast to watch for me, and they all mean something.
💯💯
Don't ever ignore or try to speed up the journey just to get to a desired destination.
Obviously March success is the ultimate in the sport, and given year after year after year of regular season success I could see not caring so much about a great regular season, or a conference title and so on and so forth.
However, we ain't there yet.
March matters, way more than the other 30+ games, for good or bad, but as Marquette fans in this current day and age every game should be considered a treat, as success like this has been in the past and can again be in the future fleeting.
I don't predict it will, not as long as the guy at the top stays at the top, but you just never know.
Also, we are still closer to having to make a hindsight argument of which is better-
Buzz type 3rd-6th place finishes and S16/EE trips, or Shaka type Conference Championships and top 10 rankings with early March Madness flameouts.
God forbid we have to have that argument 5-10 years from now, because we can all understand that would mean NCAA tourney letdowns.
All it takes is one deep run to not have to make that argument, and this year is hopefully that year.
He's got the right guys to do it, that's for sure.
However, the longer it doesn't happen the worse the pressure would get, and no one wants that smoke.
All I know is that I can't live like that. I can't live waiting for March success and putting all my eggs in that basket.
I'd much rather live in the 'every game is more exciting than the last' and enjoy the beauty of the product put on the court as long as that beauty is on display.
I'll hope and pray for a wild March into April ride when the time comes, but I'll be more comfortable doing it after having enjoyed yet another amazing season
Quote from: wadesworld on November 23, 2023, 10:25:07 PM
I just can't get behind the idea that "nothing" matters until March and April. I love every chance I get to watch this team play, whether it's November or March. We have the ability to be playing into April, but it's all a journey. With college athletes and the 1 and done nature of the Tourney, I can't buy into the whole season resting on 40 minutes of basketball where there's no second chance if you have an off night.
Last season was freaking awesome, even with a second round exit. Of course the March/April success are what I want the most. But there's no way I care nothing about what happens up to that point. Every game is a blast to watch for me, and they all mean something.
This exactly. If you can't enjoy the journey, you'll almost always be disappointed with the result of the season.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 23, 2023, 10:25:07 PM
I just can't get behind the idea that "nothing" matters until March and April. I love every chance I get to watch this team play, whether it's November or March. We have the ability to be playing into April, but it's all a journey. With college athletes and the 1 and done nature of the Tourney, I can't buy into the whole season resting on 40 minutes of basketball where there's no second chance if you have an off night.
Last season was freaking awesome, even with a second round exit. Of course the March/April success are what I want the most. But there's no way I care nothing about what happens up to that point. Every game is a blast to watch for me, and they all mean something.
Spot on. Our post season was 2 games, 1-1. Our "nothing matters" season lasted for months, and I loved watching so many great games. I think the "nothing else matters" is ridiculous. But what the Hell. This year both camps will be happy when we win the natty.
Quote from: WarriorFan on November 23, 2023, 08:01:51 PM
#1 on April 9th is the only #1 that matters.
MU will get a mid-season chance at #1 - when they beat UCONN away in February.
Disagree with first point but I know what you mean.
Agree completely with point 2. UConn could be very very good this year and even 0-1 losses when we play them deep in the season....if we keep winning it could be a #1 decider.
So let's keep our end of the bargain ;)
Quote from: NolongerWarriors on November 23, 2023, 04:43:46 PM
What's the style of play?
Steals steals steals....and the kind of play that leads to them.
Over the years I have watched the top programs, most notably Kansas, I had hoped MU would have regular season full of meaningful regular season games and we finally got it. The regular season still means a lot in college basketball, and I am going to enjoy every second of it. IMO, the conference tournament is far less important to me, but the next 25 games and March means a lot to me. Six games into the season and it has been a blast, and I am looking forward to all of the games coming up.
All that said, there is no doubt the season will be heavily graded by March/April performance, and I agree. Very happy that we have a team/program that we actually have high expectations for the tournament.
For better or worse, March will always have an outsized impact. How often Shaka gets to the second weekend, Final Four, or wins a national title(s) will come to define his tenure.
But it's important to remember that even the best coaches have a hard time winning titles. Bill Self is the best in the business and he has 2 in 30 years (and just 2 more Final Fours). Mark Few has just two Final Fours in 25 years and not having a title is seen as a shortcoming despite being one of the best around. Tony Bennett & Scott Drew are viewed as elite because of their national titles, but have the same number of Final Fours as Shaka.
I really want March success this year, but if you make it all about March, even with elite coaches and programs you'll more often than not be disappointed. Those highs of beating #1, edging rivals like Wisconsin and Notre Dame, winning crucial games in January and February, and securing Big East titles in March need to be savored, because if you can't enjoy the moments along the way, all you'll be left with is the near-inevitable disappointment in April.
Purdue is very good........deserving of the number 1 ranking.
We outscored Purdue by 9 points when Oso was on the floor. Iirc
Oso needs to avoid picking up fouls 30 feet away from the basket in the first half.......especially when it's his 2nd foul and they are playing against a 7'4 giant who is the reigning national player of the year.
Random Christmas trendy chic shopping excursion thingy. Guy decked out in Purdue regalia, me in MU swag. I start walking toward him to strike up a conversation. He sees me walking up, smiles shakes his head.
"Dude,wow."
I know.
"Marquette is amazing."
So is Purdue
"Easily could have gone the other way."
Yes, it could have. So much fun
And we fist bumped, laughed and went our separate ways.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 23, 2023, 10:25:07 PM
I just can't get behind the idea that "nothing" matters until March and April. I love every chance I get to watch this team play, whether it's November or March. We have the ability to be playing into April, but it's all a journey. With college athletes and the 1 and done nature of the Tourney, I can't buy into the whole season resting on 40 minutes of basketball where there's no second chance if you have an off night.
Last season was freaking awesome, even with a second round exit. Of course the March/April success are what I want the most. But there's no way I care nothing about what happens up to that point. Every game is a blast to watch for me, and they all mean something.
The program is at a point it hasn't been in a long, long time.There were glimpses of the Promised Land under Crean and Buzz, and good moments under KO, Deane and even Wojo - but nothing like this. We KNOW we'll be playing meaningful games in March and we KNOW we can play with anyone. That makes every game along the way something to be savored, something that will go down as part of a legacy. I have zero worries about Shaka in March- success there is a when, not an if. And that makes the regular season so much more fun.
Purdue would take a win over Farleigh Dickenson in March than a Maui tourney championship in November.
Crushed? Im not....we beat #1 Kansas.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 24, 2023, 03:09:41 PM
The program is at a point it hasn't been in a long, long time.There were glimpses of the Promised Land under Crean and Buzz, and good moments under KO, Deane and even Wojo - but nothing like this. We KNOW we'll be playing meaningful games in March and we KNOW we can play with anyone. That makes every game along the way something to be savored, something that will go down as part of a legacy. I have zero worries about Shaka in March- success there is a when, not an if. And that makes the regular season so much more fun.
Nailed it Lenny. Enjoy the ride.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 24, 2023, 03:09:41 PM
The program is at a point it hasn't been in a long, long time.There were glimpses of the Promised Land under Crean and Buzz, and good moments under KO, Deane and even Wojo - but nothing like this. We KNOW we'll be playing meaningful games in March and we KNOW we can play with anyone. That makes every game along the way something to be savored, something that will go down as part of a legacy. I have zero worries about Shaka in March- success there is a when, not an if. And that makes the regular season so much more fun.
Well said, sir.
Success in November - February should build a road to March that MU wants. It's fun as hell to beat Kansas, win the BE, etc. The reward should be a trip to Indy/Detroit with a top 2 seed in hand. MU can put themselves in a position to make March a bit easier with a great regular season (obviously nothing is a given that time of year).
It's nice putting BE title banners up, they do mean something, but man, winning that round of 32 game to go to the Sweet 16, and opportunities that come there after...I'll take that feeling every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Quote from: DegenerateDish on November 24, 2023, 11:55:47 PM
Success in November - February should build a road to March that MU wants. It's fun as hell to beat Kansas, win the BE, etc. The reward should be a trip to Indy/Detroit with a top 2 seed in hand. MU can put themselves in a position to make March a bit easier with a great regular season (obviously nothing is a given that time of year).
It's nice putting BE title banners up, they do mean something, but man, winning that round of 32 game to go to the Sweet 16, and opportunities that come there after...I'll take that feeling every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
This is also where I'm at. I truly enjoyed the journey last season, and will enjoy it this season too. Every step of the way. But it's past time for this program to finish at a great destination. We can't "trade" a Big East title for an Elite 8 or Final Four appearance, but I sure as hell would if I could.
I don't think UConn and its fans are spending much time being sad about losing to us in the 2023 Big East semis.
Quote from: MU82 on November 25, 2023, 10:38:29 AM
This is also where I'm at. I truly enjoyed the journey last season, and will enjoy it this season too. Every step of the way. But it's past time for this program to finish at a great destination. We can't "trade" a Big East title for an Elite 8 or Final Four appearance, but I sure as hell would if I could.
I don't think UConn and its fans are spending much time being sad about losing to us in the 2023 Big East semis.
They aren't, but it's only because of the unknown that happened after. If they don't come back against St Mary's, are out the first weekend, and we're talking about a Gonzaga national championship instead, I'm pretty sure they would still be salty about the MSG loss.
It's easy to forget perspective, but that's why you need to enjoy moments like 2023 as they happen. Because you never know when you'll lose to St Mary's or Michigan State to end a promising season.
Quote from: brewcity77 on November 25, 2023, 11:54:42 AM
They aren't, but it's only because of the unknown that happened after. If they don't come back against St Mary's, are out the first weekend, and we're talking about a Gonzaga national championship instead, I'm pretty sure they would still be salty about the MSG loss.
It's easy to forget perspective, but that's why you need to enjoy moments like 2023 as they happen. Because you never know when you'll lose to St Mary's or Michigan State to end a promising season.
Agreed. And I do enjoy them a lot.
Quote from: NolongerWarriors on November 23, 2023, 04:43:46 PM
What's the style of play?
Tell me you know nothing about basketball without telling me you know nothing about basketball. Why even watch if you're this ignorant about what you're watching? Weird.
I'm disappointed whenever we lose. I am not crushed after the loss, I am excited that we have the ability to beat anyone in the country, anywhere. Doesn't mean we will win every game, but it does mean we are a legit National title contender.
It's the end of the season when I want us to be ranked #1. Right now, its meaningless.