Especially without RP. I think Owens is getting closer to turning the corner. He's making way fewer mental mistakes and letting the game come to him. And he's been better defensively. We may have 4 guys to build around next year. Obviously we need a 5 though.
I'm happy for the win.
But hardly important.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 24, 2026, 08:01:26 PMI'm happy for the win.
But hardly important.
Gaining confidence/experience and finishing down the stretch is important.
Milkshakes!!!!!
It's important just to stop the "no road wins" trope.
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyYnFmNm1nN203eGc3ejR4dTV1ZHVha3Y0c2FtajJzMWhib2k5YWdoNyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/0m7EQDwt74rYWCG9z5/200w.gif)
thank goodness. once Lewis was down. that was a must win for my sanity.
We have a legitimate shot of moving all the way up to the #6 seed in the BEast tournament.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:05:12 PMGaining confidence/experience and finishing down the stretch is important.
Perhaps.
But I watch a ton a college hoops, and 99.9% of the time if I look and see the two teams are 5-11 & 4-12 in conference, I look for another game.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:09:58 PMWe have a legitimate shot of moving all the way up to the #6 seed in the BEast tournament.
Pass the pipe.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 24, 2026, 08:10:22 PMPerhaps.
But I watch a ton a college hoops, and 99.9% of the time if I look and see the two teams are 5-11 & 4-12 in conference, I look for another game.
But this is our team and Nigel is electric. We're obviously a bad team but we're showing some potential flashes for the future.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:14:11 PMBut this is our team and Nigel is electric. We're obviously a bad team but we're showing some potential flashes for the future.
Agreed. But, not terribly important.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 24, 2026, 08:10:41 PMPass the pipe.
We absolutely can beat DePaul and Providence .
6-11 is wide open.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:09:58 PMWe have a legitimate shot of moving all the way up to the #6 seed in the BEast tournament.
I think you could argue that when the BE tournament kicks off we'll be the 6th best team in the conference.
I don't think we can get there though. The teams that are right around us play each other. Somebody's gotta pick up some wins, and our ceiling is 7-13.
And just to piss off Rocky, 46th now since 1/17
https://barttorvik.com/?year=2026&sort=&hteam=&t2value=&conlimit=All&state=All&begin=20260117&end=20260501&top=0&revquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#
Is this the thread where we look for siler linings?!?
Marquette has outscored it's opponents by 18 over the past 10 games. Sure it's a made up meaningless number and they only tallied 4 wins but definitely beats the -78 (ouch) deficit from the first 7 games (1 win).
Yes, I put an abitray line right after the 24-point loss to St. John's in mid-Jan.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 24, 2026, 08:24:15 PMAnd just to piss off Rocky, 46th now since 1/17
:) It doesn't piss me off. I just don't think it's accurate.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 24, 2026, 08:26:08 PM:) It doesn't piss me off. I just don't think it's accurate.
Does it piss you off that I slid it up three days so we jumped 7 spots?
I think the metrics are the metrics, and if we could have closed out ANY of the road games against X, SHU, or Nova, the team might have be seen differently. But their record is their record.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 24, 2026, 08:22:51 PMI think you could argue that when the BE tournament kicks off we'll be the 6th best team in the conference.
I don't think we can get there though. The teams that are right around us play each other. Somebody's gotta pick up some wins, and our ceiling is 7-13.
I'm very confident we won't finish 12 or 13.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:27:12 PMI'm very confident we won't finish 12 or 13.
I meant our record in conference, because we aren't beating UConn.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 24, 2026, 08:28:45 PMI meant our record in conference, because we aren't beating UConn.
..
Well, 7th is definitely realistic.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 24, 2026, 08:26:38 PMDoes it piss you off that I slid it up three days so we jumped 7 spots?
Was actually more shocked that you'd admit we've slid from the 1/13-2/13 month when we were ...#43?
I'd say it's a big win. It should make evrybody happy, no downside to a road win. If Ross misses some games with his injury it opens a window for Owens. I tjhnk tonight might have been a step for him, if he keeps it going he could really blossom into the player evrerybody thought he could be. He's got some electicity in his game.
Quote from: hawk on February 24, 2026, 08:44:13 PMI'd say it's a big win. It should make evrybody happy, no downside to a road win. If Ross misses some games with his injury it opens a window for Owens. I tjhnk tonight might have been a step for him, if he keeps it going he could really blossom into the player evrerybody thought he could be. He's got some electicity in his game.
I liked the zero turns today.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 24, 2026, 08:01:26 PMI'm happy for the win.
But hardly important.
Another "outlier"?
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:14:11 PMBut this is our team and Nigel is electric. We're obviously a bad team but we're showing some potential flashes for the future.
Yeah maybe we'll be talking about the calendar year of 2026 next mid season
Always better to win than lose. I like to see our young guys enjoying a few more wins for a change.
More important, did they have hotdogs at DC?
Is Royce reverting back to being soft?
j/k, really hope he's back Sunday.
I have not watched the game yet (pb league). Worried about Chase based on some posts here.
Glad Damarius got some run. Ceiling still is high.
MPII is fun, but in two seasons. The defense is just too bad.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 24, 2026, 09:51:27 PMMPII is fun, but in two seasons. The defense is just too bad.
First year in the program. Should still be in high school actually.
Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on February 24, 2026, 09:54:00 PMFirst year in the program. Should still be in high school actually.
Yep. I really like him. Just think he's a ways off. One of those guys where having/using 15 scholarships is great.
Quote from: MU82 on February 24, 2026, 09:10:36 PMAnother "outlier"?
No, I wouldn't say that. We were missing Parham, then they lost Lewis.
Though not happy about losing Chase late.
Phillips needs to work on his lateral footwork and defensive posture....
Any one with any quickness that he needs to guard goes around him like he isn't even there.....
Don't know how to do it.....But it has to get done for him to become a significant minute player unless we start playing extensive zone....
Quote from: burger on February 25, 2026, 06:14:39 AMPhillips needs to work on his lateral footwork and defensive posture....
Any one with any quickness that he needs to guard goes around him like he isn't even there.....
Don't know how to do it.....But it has to get done for him to become a significant minute player unless we start playing extensive zone....
Joplin managed to improve significantly in that regard - he reminds me a bit of Jop defensively. He is going to benefit alot from not redshirting I think..
Maybe it's just me but Phillips seems a little stiff out there right now. Not a lot of fluidity.
Maybe that's because he's still thinking too much instead of reacting. Or maybe I'm just completely off base.
Quote from: burger on February 25, 2026, 06:14:39 AMPhillips needs to work on his lateral footwork and defensive posture....
Any one with any quickness that he needs to guard goes around him like he isn't even there.....
Don't know how to do it.....But it has to get done for him to become a significant minute player unless we start playing extensive zone....
Yep. It's so far off that without significant transformation (I'm not listening to moles ever again), it's his junior year before he's playable without hiding him. With his size/length (pawz) I think he can become fine at defending, but it's just far away as of now. Has some good tools though.
Phillips has such a high ceiling that I'm not super worried a tepid performance here and there. I think the game will slow down for him considerably over the offseason. He'll also add some weight which will help his finishing. That 3-ppoint stroke looks pure, and we know he can drain them.
Between him, Royce, DO, and Egbuonu we'll have serious length all over the floor next season at spots 2-4.
We're the #8 team in the country!*
https://barttorvik.com/?year=2026&sort=&hteam=&t2value=&conlimit=All&state=All&begin=20260224&end=20260501&top=0&revquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#
* = since yesterday
Quote from: Pakuni on February 25, 2026, 08:57:04 AMWe're the #8 team in the country!*
https://barttorvik.com/?year=2026&sort=&hteam=&t2value=&conlimit=All&state=All&begin=20260224&end=20260501&top=0&revquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#
* = since yesterday
#PROTECTEDSEED
Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on February 25, 2026, 08:54:07 AMPhillips has such a high ceiling that I'm not super worried a tepid performance here and there. I think the game will slow down for him considerably over the offseason. He'll also add some weight which will help his finishing. That 3-ppoint stroke looks pure, and we know he can drain them.
Between him, Royce, DO, and Egbuonu we'll have serious length all over the floor next season at spots 2-4.
That is the same old song we have been sold for the past few seasons. Let's see it realized on the court by winning games against teams that are not as bad as we are.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 25, 2026, 10:27:40 AMThat is the same old song we have been sold for the past few seasons. Let's see it realized on the court by winning games against teams that are not as bad as we are.
Eh, I think you can see it with this year's freshmen. NJ and AS are clear. Same as you could see it with DO and RP. I think MP is in that group, but agree with JB he needs to learn how to play basketball and play this system.
I never saw that high of a ceiling with Chase or Tre. I did with Ben, and honestly I still do. I just don't think he has the mentality to reach it. He's so quick and has a good handle for a 7 footer, he just never learned how to play in traffic. Game never slowed down, and that part is tougher to see when judging potential.
I'd break it down like...
High ceiling, high floor - RP, NJ, AS (lower ceiling than the other two)
High ceiling, low floor - MP, DO
Too early to tell on everyone else but CH, who definitely does not have a high ceiling.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 25, 2026, 11:02:07 AMI never saw that high of a ceiling with Chase
Interesting. I guess you're a lot more plugged in than the Big East coaches, who voted him to the all-conference team. Congrats!
Quote from: MU82 on February 25, 2026, 01:19:54 PMInteresting. I guess you're a lot more plugged in than the Big East coaches, who voted him to the all-conference team. Congrats!
Chase is a really good role player. And I think had he been able to play his usual role this year he would have been good. But I never thought he could make a big jump to being "the guy".
When I think of high ceiling I always think of guys with fluidity of movement, feel and diversity in their games, ability to play in both space and congested areas. Chase doesn't have any of those. Straight line mover, never learned to or just doesn't have a feel for how to play in congestion, no real diversity offensively.
I loved Chase his first few years. He was asked to play a role he could star in and most of the time he did. This year, like so many guys on the team, he was asked to fill a role that he couldn't fill, and we've seen how it's played out. Good player, but I don't think he has close to the ceiling that NJ, AS, and RP do.
All my opinion of course.
That's reasonable.
I do think it also was reasonable to think that he could have stepped up into more of a primary role ... but it just didn't happen.
Turns out he was the ideal 4th or 5th option on a good team. No shame in that. He had a role in a lot of winning at Marquette.
I hope his shoulder injury isn't a season-ender. He played real well for a long stretch yesterday.
Quote from: MU82 on February 25, 2026, 01:40:15 PMThat's reasonable.
I do think it also was reasonable to think that he could have stepped up into more of a primary role ... but it just didn't happen.
Turns out he was the ideal 4th or 5th option on a good team. No shame in that. He had a role in a lot of winning at Marquette.
I hope his shoulder injury isn't a season-ender. He played real well for a long stretch yesterday.
Yup, he is a very good non primary option given the limitations of his skills. As another posted, he is a straight line offensive player and a fine defender in that role. Too much has been asked of him this year. Hope he can finish out the season.
One could argue that the trajectory of the end of 2026 is better than the trajectory of the end of 2025. This team is improving with younger players who will (presumptively) return and continue to get better. With the right addition(s), a return to the NCAA tournament should be a realistic goal.
Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on February 25, 2026, 08:54:07 AMPhillips has such a high ceiling that I'm not super worried a tepid performance here and there. I think the game will slow down for him considerably over the offseason. He'll also add some weight which will help his finishing. That 3-ppoint stroke looks pure, and we know he can drain them.
Between him, Royce, DO, and Egbuonu we'll have serious length all over the floor next season at spots 2-4.
I'll be pleasantly surprised if either Phillips or Egbuonu average 10 minutes per game. Their poor defense makes me highly skeptical.
Quote from: Juan Anderson's Mixtape on February 25, 2026, 03:13:47 PMI'll be pleasantly surprised if either Phillips or Egbuonu average 10 minutes per game. Their poor defense makes me highly skeptical.
#Alex2RegRotationEarly
Quote from: Warrior of Law on February 25, 2026, 02:21:48 PMOne could argue that the trajectory of the end of 2026 is better than the trajectory of the end of 2025. This team is improving with younger players who will (presumptively) return and continue to get better. With the right addition(s), a return to the NCAA tournament should be a realistic goal.
100%. The arrow is pointing up. There is clear high level talent that needs to be supplemented. There is no hoping they will be good or hoping they will step up with Nigel and Royce. There is a feeling that they are two stars. Never had that feeling with the returning players from 2025. I have a much better feeling going into next year assuming they keep the core together and add a couple players from the portal.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 25, 2026, 11:02:07 AMToo early to tell on everyone else but CH, who definitely does not have a high ceiling.
And as we've seen, he has an exceptionally low floor.
Quote from: BM1090 on February 25, 2026, 11:02:07 AMEh, I think you can see it with this year's freshmen. NJ and AS are clear. Same as you could see it with DO and RP. I think MP is in that group, but agree with JB he needs to learn how to play basketball and play this system.
I never saw that high of a ceiling with Chase or Tre. I did with Ben, and honestly I still do. I just don't think he has the mentality to reach it. He's so quick and has a good handle for a 7 footer, he just never learned how to play in traffic. Game never slowed down, and that part is tougher to see when judging potential.
I'd break it down like...
High ceiling, high floor - RP, NJ, AS (lower ceiling than the other two)
High ceiling, low floor - MP, DO
Too early to tell on everyone else but CH, who definitely does not have a high ceiling.
Mentality? BG is averaging a foul less called on him per game this year.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 24, 2026, 08:05:12 PMGaining confidence/experience and finishing down the stretch is important.
RGV's!!!
Quote from: Newsdreams on February 25, 2026, 10:28:24 PMRGV's!!!
I saw a guy wearing an RGV sweatshirt at the Georgetown game. He looked like a schmuck.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 26, 2026, 09:20:55 AMI saw a guy wearing an RGV sweatshirt at the Georgetown game. He looked like a schmuck.
Pretty sure Shaka had an RGV logo on his polo sleeve at Georgetown.
Quote from: wiscwarrior on February 26, 2026, 09:53:45 AMShaka had an RGV logo on his polo sleeve at Georgetown.
OK. I'm not going to call Shaka a schmuck though. ;D
My wife and I had a
great time at the game, with seats fairly close to the MU bench and lots of MU fans around us. Next to and just in front of us was a contingent of people who knew Stevens from his Maryland HS. They were very vocal and very happy of course.
Edit: Hey, I met a couple who flew in from Milwaukee for the game. Was that you and your wife?
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 26, 2026, 10:11:25 AMOK. I'm not going to call Shaka a schmuck though. ;D
My wife and I had a great time at the game, with seats fairly close to the MU bench and lots of MU fans around us. Next to and just in front of us was a contingent of people who knew Stevens from his Maryland HS. They were very vocal and very happy of course.
Edit: Hey, I met a couple who flew in from Milwaukee for the game. Was that you and your wife?
Unfortunately, no. We live in Blowing Rock, NC now. Glad you got to enjoy the game live and in person. :)
Quote from: wiscwarrior on February 26, 2026, 11:00:08 AMUnfortunately, no. We live in Blowing Rock, NC now. Glad you got to enjoy the game live and in person. :)
Oh, you're the guy I posted to after you moved to Blowing Rock to be closer to your children and I was encouraging you to go to the BET that year, but you were just settling in.
We're going to pass on the BET this year but maybe go next year. Been there 3 times and we loved it.
Quote from: wiscwarrior on February 26, 2026, 09:53:45 AMPretty sure Shaka had an RGV logo on his polo sleeve at Georgetown.
It's the reason we won.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 26, 2026, 01:11:09 PMIt's the reason we won.
You may have something there. A new trend?
So we've been thinking there was too much RGV...but maybe we just never had enough...
Quote from: The Sultan on February 26, 2026, 02:42:29 PMSo we've been thinking there was too much RGV...but maybe we just never had enough...
Most of the time, I think that Jay Bee is
on something, but this time he might actually be on
to something.
If Scoopers attending our remaining games wear an RGV patch (use double face tape so you can easily take the stupid thing off after the game) we just might run the table, even UCONN.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 26, 2026, 02:42:29 PMSo we've been thinking there was too much RGV...but maybe we just never had enough...
. . . TRGV
Anybody hear anything regarding Chase?
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on February 26, 2026, 08:29:37 PMAnybody hear anything regarding Chase?
No, but there was a postgame video of him last night smiling and laughing and high fiving in the tunnel