MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: The Lens on April 03, 2023, 01:06:12 PM
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It's way too early season. So far we have...
247 -- #2
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-basketballs-Way-Too-Early-Top-25-for-2024-207767366/ (https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-basketballs-Way-Too-Early-Top-25-for-2024-207767366/)
Sporting News -- #5
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-uconn-ucla-way-too-early-top-25/pzbporqftx38isgvw0j3eq0q (https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-uconn-ucla-way-too-early-top-25/pzbporqftx38isgvw0j3eq0q)
Jeff Goodman -- #1
https://watchstadium.com/jeff-goodmans-preseason-top-25-for-2023-24-04-03-2023/ (https://watchstadium.com/jeff-goodmans-preseason-top-25-for-2023-24-04-03-2023/)
Heat Check -- #2
https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/ (https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/)
Sports Illustrated -- #1
https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/04/mens-college-basketball-2023-2024-way-to-early-top-25-rankings (https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/04/mens-college-basketball-2023-2024-way-to-early-top-25-rankings)
Fox Sports / John Fanta -- #2
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/college-basketball-power-rankings-all-too-early-top-25-for-2023-24
(https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/college-basketball-power-rankings-all-too-early-top-25-for-2023-24)
The Athletic / Seth Davis -- #1
https://theathletic.com/4374061/2023/04/04/ncaa-mens-basketball-top-25-2023-2024/ (https://theathletic.com/4374061/2023/04/04/ncaa-mens-basketball-top-25-2023-2024/)
Washington Post -- #1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/03/college-basketball-early-top-25/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/03/college-basketball-early-top-25/)
USA Today -- #4
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2023/04/04/college-basketball-early-top-25-connecticut-duke-lead/11589978002/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2023/04/04/college-basketball-early-top-25-connecticut-duke-lead/11589978002/)
Feel free to keep adding.
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247 -- #2
With UConn and Creighton at 3 and 4.
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With UConn and Creighton at 3 and 4.
So much for a power 6
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So much for a power 6
Just the Big East and Big XII :D
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Just the Big East and Big XII :D
Power Deuce
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Power Deuce
What inevitably comes after consuming Real Chili
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Amigo's chimi was good for that, too.
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They had to work Duke in as #1 somehow?
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With UConn and Creighton at 3 and 4.
If UConn wins tonight, they should (rightly) be #1 in every Way Too Early rankings.
MU and Creighton should both be top ten, arguably top 5. The top of the Big East is LOADED.
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If UConn wins tonight, they should (rightly) be #1 in every Way Too Early rankings.
Except they have 3 players who could legitimately get drafted. All three go and they're still good, but not top 10.
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Goodman’s list just dropped and has us at 1… ready for all this
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Goodman’s list just dropped and has us at 1… ready for all this
Didn't think we'd see this. I'll take it.
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Goodman’s list just dropped and has us at 1… ready for all this
Banner time
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Hunted instead of the hunter
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Ho hum, just #2 here: https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/ (https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/)
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At least 5 of the 2024 year end top 25 will be "bought" (erm, sorry, effective NIL usage) teams assembled this summer from the portal. Hard to tell who or if the teams will gel and perform... but some will.
Quite likely one of those will be a Big East team from New York.
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At least 5 of the 2024 year end top 25 will be "bought" (erm, sorry, effective NIL usage) teams assembled this summer from the portal. Hard to tell who or if the teams will gel and perform... but some will.
Quite likely one of those will be a Big East team from New York.
Damn LIU!
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Amigo's chimi was good for that, too.
Omg. And about this time of night I’d start thinking about it…
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#1 per the Washington Post.
https://twitter.com/jasonmurray117/status/1643100193032732672?s=46&t=y09G3XF0pbaZZc_-K-dYSw
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I don’t think the “F’ck Em” motto is going to work next year.
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The team is going to have to find some other kind of chip to put on their shoulder next year.
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I don’t think the “unnatural carnal knowledge Em” motto is going to work next year.
Unless you turn it into what they are going to do to all the other teams next year.
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The team is going to have to find some other kind of chip to put on their shoulder next year.
MSU game?
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White Trash
The MSU game should provide a nice chip on the shoulder. Would have to think how things played out that motivation should not be an issue.
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It's way too early season. So far we have...
247 -- #2
https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-basketballs-Way-Too-Early-Top-25-for-2024-207767366/ (https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-basketballs-Way-Too-Early-Top-25-for-2024-207767366/)
Sporting News -- #5
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-uconn-ucla-way-too-early-top-25/pzbporqftx38isgvw0j3eq0q (https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-uconn-ucla-way-too-early-top-25/pzbporqftx38isgvw0j3eq0q)
Jeff Goodman -- #1
https://watchstadium.com/jeff-goodmans-preseason-top-25-for-2023-24-04-03-2023/ (https://watchstadium.com/jeff-goodmans-preseason-top-25-for-2023-24-04-03-2023/)
Heat Check -- #2
https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/ (https://heatcheckcbb.com/college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-rankings-for-2023-24-season/)
Feel free to keep adding.
Thank You for posting. Wow especially Jeff Goodman! Also it was nice to see Marquette and Kam on the One Shining Moment Video 2 Times!
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MU will have no problem being highly motivated in '23-24.
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No. 1 per SI.
https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/04/mens-college-basketball-2023-2024-way-to-early-top-25-rankings
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While it means little in April, it is very nice to see the preseason hype. It has to help in retaining guys and/or getting guys from the portal or recruiting.
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FoxSports/Fanta: Marquette 2
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/college-basketball-power-rankings-all-too-early-top-25-for-2023-24
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No. 1 per SI.
https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/04/mens-college-basketball-2023-2024-way-to-early-top-25-rankings
Steve Rushin influence!
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While it means little in April, it is very nice to see the preseason hype. It has to help in retaining guys and/or getting guys from the portal or recruiting.
My excuse is that the caffeine from my morning coffee has not kicked in yet, but I did not think of the retention factor, Goose. Spot on.
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Hopefully the staff is being proactive and has forbidden player access to all pens and paper. 👀
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Gary Parish has us #3 in the Top-25 and 1:
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-uconn-is-no-1-over-purdue-in-never-too-early-2023-24-preseason-top-25-and-1/amp/
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No. 1 per SI.
https://www.si.com/college/2023/04/04/mens-college-basketball-2023-2024-way-to-early-top-25-rankings
#hangabanner
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While it means little in April, it is very nice to see the preseason hype. It has to help in retaining guys and/or getting guys from the portal or recruiting.
I agree. Pretty good media hype.
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Field of 68 (newsletter) has us at #2 for next year behind UConn
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The Athletic/Seth Davis: Marquette 1
https://theathletic.com/4374061/2023/04/04/ncaa-mens-basketball-top-25-2023-2024/
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Marquette consensus #1 across all websites added up. UConn 2, Duke 3.
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MU may be third or fourth in the preseason Big East Coaches' Poll.
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ESPN #2
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/36058691/uconn-huskies-no-1-2023-24-way-too-early-top-25-men-college-basketball-rankings
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This feels a bit like deja vu. Hopefully goes better than the last time this happened.
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OK, let's get this straight:
Most of the national media -- the people who dismissed us and Shaka as being DePaulesque in November -- has somehow seen the light and believes we are a legitimate candidate for a National Championship in 2024?
Really?
Sounds like classic overcompensation to me.
Not to be a buzz killer but we got killed on the boards last year. Teams that were physical and bumped us off our game and got in our face drove us batty during the regular season. We won because we were poised and very well coached!
And, Tom Izzo hasn't yet retired!
Look, I think we have a really good team. Probably, the best we have had since 2003. Our Coach is incredible. Probably the best we've had since McGuire. We have an open scholarship and one hopes we end up with a bruiser somewhere. If we don't, can Oso and Ben bulk up?
But there are enough question marks to make me believe we have a good team -- a regional final team and maybe a Top 10 team. But, maybe we are and I don't see it well enough, but I have trouble believing we're the best!
We'll know after Maui!
MU may be third or fourth in the preseason Big East Coaches' Poll.
F**k 'em!!!!
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OK, let's get this straight:
Most of the national media -- the people who dismissed us and Shaka as being DePaulesque in November -- has somehow seen the light and believes we are a legitimate candidate for a National Championship in 2024?
Really?
Sounds like classic overcompensation to me.
Not to be a buzz killer but we got killed on the boards last year. Teams that were physical and bumped us off our game and got in our face drove us batty during the regular season. We won because we were poised and very well coached!
And, Tom Izzo hasn't yet retired!
Look, I think we have a really good team. Probably, the best we have had since 2003. Our Coach is incredible. Probably the best we've had since McGuire. We have an open scholarship and one hopes we end up with a bruiser somewhere. If we don't, can Oso and Ben bulk up?
But there are enough question marks to make me believe we have a good team -- a regional final team and maybe a Top 10 team. But, maybe we are and I don't see it well enough, but I have trouble believing we're the best!
We'll know after Maui!
F**k 'em!!!!
We did beat the team that just steamrolled it's way to a national title 2/3 times this year. Won the same conference they are in by 2 games, won the conference tournament they are in. Were ranked 6 in the final polls, got a 2 seed. We saw a Final Four of FAU (9 seed), SDSU (5 seed), Miami (5 seed), and UCONN (4 seed). Why is it impossible to think that with another offseason of development this team can't win a national championship?
This coming from one of the biggest Scoop doubters going into the 2022-2023 campaign.
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OK, let's get this straight:
Most of the national media -- the people who dismissed us and Shaka as being DePaulesque in November -- has somehow seen the light and believes we are a legitimate candidate for a National Championship in 2024?
Really?
Sounds like classic overcompensation to me.
Not to be a buzz killer but we got killed on the boards last year. Teams that were physical and bumped us off our game and got in our face drove us batty during the regular season. We won because we were poised and very well coached!
And, Tom Izzo hasn't yet retired!
Look, I think we have a really good team. Probably, the best we have had since 2003. Our Coach is incredible. Probably the best we've had since McGuire. We have an open scholarship and one hopes we end up with a bruiser somewhere. If we don't, can Oso and Ben bulk up?
But there are enough question marks to make me believe we have a good team -- a regional final team and maybe a Top 10 team. But, maybe we are and I don't see it well enough, but I have trouble believing we're the best!
We'll know after Maui!
F**k 'em!!!!
We were ranked 6th going into the tourney, got a 2 seed, and have a chance to return our top 9 players.
You still have to prove it on the court but if the team is back intact these rankings are not surprising and deserved, IMO.
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Here ya go, dg ...
According to The Athletic, Bet MGM does not have Marquette among the early favorites.
Connecticut just won its fifth national title since 1999 and already the Huskies are among the favorites to win the title in 2024. The Huskies opened as the co-favorites with Duke and Kentucky to win next year’s championship on BetMGM.
All three blue bloods opened with +1200 (12-to-1) odds. Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns around all three teams right now with early NBA Draft entries and the transfer portal still to come. Having no team with even 10-to-1 odds shows how wide open next season appears for now.
Duke +1200
Connecticut +1200
Kentucky +1200
Kansas +1600
Alabama +1600
Arizona +1800
Purdue +1800
Houston +1800
They hate us!
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This feels a bit like deja vu. Hopefully goes better than the last time this happened.
As long as no one writes a letter, we'll be fine.
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Here ya go, dg ...
According to The Athletic, Bet MGM does not have Marquette among the early favorites.
Connecticut just won its fifth national title since 1999 and already the Huskies are among the favorites to win the title in 2024. The Huskies opened as the co-favorites with Duke and Kentucky to win next year’s championship on BetMGM.
All three blue bloods opened with +1200 (12-to-1) odds. Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns around all three teams right now with early NBA Draft entries and the transfer portal still to come. Having no team with even 10-to-1 odds shows how wide open next season appears for now.
Duke +1200
Connecticut +1200
Kentucky +1200
Kansas +1600
Alabama +1600
Arizona +1800
Purdue +1800
Houston +1800
They hate us!
Wagering odds are not the same as picking winners. Cubs' odds of winning the World Series are always pretty good, even when they suck, because of the die-hard fans who come to Las Vegas every year and put a bet down on them.
Note that with the exception of Duke, these are all huge state schools with hundreds of thousands of alums and plenty of Walmart fans.
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This feels a bit like deja vu. Hopefully goes better than the last time this happened.
We don't have any Hausers on the roster this offseason. No letters are being passed around the locker room asking all but one player to sign it to get the coach to play a different style.
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Wagering odds are not the same as picking winners. Cubs' odds of winning the World Series are always pretty good, even when they suck, because of the die-hard fans who come to Las Vegas every year and put a bet down on them.
Note that with the exception of Duke, these are all huge state schools with hundreds of thousands of alums and plenty of Walmart fans.
Yes. I just thought it was interesting among all the glorious MU predictions. They're all gonna lose their shirts when we win it all!
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As long as no one writes a letter, we'll be fine.
As long as no one shows leadership, we’ll be fine
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If ( as it seems ) MU returns the top
9 players, and our whole starting 5 …
A top 5 prediction is completely reasonable. Just like UCONN being in the top 5. Top 1 or 2 ? Wow.
I’m presuming the MSU loss will be all the motivation the team needs next
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This feels a bit like deja vu. Hopefully goes better than the last time this happened.
Yeah I refuse to buy into any of this until we have confirmation about who is coming back next year. I remember exactly where I was when I read we were listed #2 back in 2019 or whenever. A couple high minutes players leave and all of a sudden things aren't looking as rosy.
That being said, if we dont have any turnover, top 5 is absolutely deserved.
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The Maui Invitational is going to be epic in November.
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The Maui Invitational is going to be epic in November.
No kidding. Could legitimately feature 6 top 10 teams
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No kidding. Could legitimately feature 6 top 10 teams
T Rank projections currently have three top 10 teams, five top 15, and six top 25 teams in the 2023 Maui field.
Absolutely loaded!
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ESPN #2
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/36058691/uconn-huskies-no-1-2023-24-way-too-early-top-25-men-college-basketball-rankings
The last time MU was #2 in the "way too early" poll on ESPN was 2019 ... then the Hauser's wrote a letter.
Just saying
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"A comprehensive and robust NIL program is necessary to maintain our level of competitive excellence. We are greatly appreciative @DienerTravis and others have come together to assure are student-athletes can maximize their name, image and likeness."
Per Mike Broeker on Twitter.
Go donate if your so inclined to do so. The time to strike on opportunity is right now in the present moment. Never know how many times you will be able to say that.
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"A comprehensive and robust NIL program is necessary to maintain our level of competitive excellence. We are greatly appreciative @DienerTravis and others have come together to assure are our student-athletes can maximize their name, image and likeness."
Per Mike Broeker on Twitter.
Go donate if your so inclined to do so. The time to strike on opportunity is right now in the present moment. Never know how many times you will be able to say that.
Broeker better watch out for JB
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The last time MU was #2 in the "way too early" poll on ESPN was 2019 ... then the Hauser's wrote a letter.
Just saying
Is that true?
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Is that true?
April 8, 2019
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26464237/loaded-michigan-state-leads-way-too-early-top-25-2019-20
2. Marquette Golden Eagles
Before a late-season collapse, Steve Wojciechowski had Marquette atop the Big East and poised for a run in March. If Markus Howard returns to Milwaukee, expect the Golden Eagles to complete the task this time. The entire starting five should be back for Marquette, with Howard and the Hauser brothers leading the way. One key addition will be Utah State transfer Koby McEwen, who will bring size and versatility to the backcourt -- and enable Howard to focus solely on scoring.
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As I said, this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave.
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April 8, 2019
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26464237/loaded-michigan-state-leads-way-too-early-top-25-2019-20
2. Marquette Golden Eagles
Before a late-season collapse, Steve Wojciechowski had Marquette atop the Big East and poised for a run in March. If Markus Howard returns to Milwaukee, expect the Golden Eagles to complete the task this time. The entire starting five should be back for Marquette, with Howard and the Hauser brothers leading the way. One key addition will be Utah State transfer Koby McEwen, who will bring size and versatility to the backcourt -- and enable Howard to focus solely on scoring.
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As I said, this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave.
The “letter” preceded the article. And the Hausers left only a week after that article was written.
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The letter was not known as of the date of the article.
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Well, if it happened in 2019, it's a sure bet to happen again in 2023.
History repeats itself 100% of the time.
I wonder who wrote the letter to Shaka. Probably Joey, pretending to be Kolek, in a clever scheme to mess with MU before the second-round game.
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Well, if it happened in 2019, it's a sure bet to happen again in 2023.
History repeats itself 100% of the time.
I wonder who wrote the letter to Shaka. Probably Joey, pretending to be Kolek, in a clever scheme to mess with MU before the second-round game.
Luckily, Shaka realized the letter was a ruse since it was from Trent Kolek, and the only other player to sign the letter was Tyler Kohler.
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April 8, 2019
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26464237/loaded-michigan-state-leads-way-too-early-top-25-2019-20
2. Marquette Golden Eagles
Before a late-season collapse, Steve Wojciechowski had Marquette atop the Big East and poised for a run in March. If Markus Howard returns to Milwaukee, expect the Golden Eagles to complete the task this time. The entire starting five should be back for Marquette, with Howard and the Hauser brothers leading the way. One key addition will be Utah State transfer Koby McEwen, who will bring size and versatility to the backcourt -- and enable Howard to focus solely on scoring.
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As I said, this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave.
I don’t think that’s real
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The letter was not known as of the date of the article.
But your claim that the Hausers "this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave." They had written the letter weeks before that. They didn't write the letter, drop it at Wojo's doorstep, and leave.
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Except they have 3 players who could legitimately get drafted. All three go and they're still good, but not top 10.
I'd say 4. Clingan in the late first wouldn't shock me.
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But your claim that the Hausers "this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave." They had written the letter weeks before that. They didn't write the letter, drop it at Wojo's doorstep, and leave.
It was. I made no claims when the letter was written. Read what you quoted above "all blown up" is the totality of all the events in the weeks after the way too-early poll.
That includes time to have them reconsider.
That said, your fetish with me is really getting alarming. You need to find a new hobby, or at least try your right hand.
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I don’t think that’s real
All you have to do is click on the link. Is that so hard?
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All you have to do is click on the link. Is that so hard?
No harder than reading this thread before posting?
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It was. I made no claims when the letter was written. Read what you quoted above "all blown up" is the totality of all the events in the weeks after the way too-early poll.
That includes time to have them reconsider.
That said, your fetish with me is really getting alarming. You need to find a new hobby, or at least try your right hand.
I'm reading what you wrote. You wrote (pasting again), "this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave." A few weeks later WHEN the Hauser's (sic) decided to write a letter and leave. You're certainly making claims about when the letter was written. You're claiming a few weeks later they made the decision to write a letter and bail, which is wrong. They wrote the letter in season, prior to the article. They announced they were leaving (probably decided prior to that day) exactly one week later. So you got nothing right, really.
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I'm reading what you wrote. You wrote (pasting again), "this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave." A few weeks later WHEN the Hauser's (sic) decided to write a letter and leave. You're certainly making claims about when the letter was written. You're claiming a few weeks later they made the decision to write a letter and bail, which is wrong. They wrote the letter in season, prior to the article. They announced they were leaving (probably decided prior to that day) exactly one week later. So you got nothing right, really.
What is the point of all of this? This is a reflection on you now.
Seek help
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What is the point of all of this? This is a reflection on you now.
Seek help
"I continued to misspeak, I won't admit I was wrong, so I'll say this is your problem instead!"
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"I continued to misspeak, I won't admit I was wrong, so I'll say this is your problem instead!"
I admit to you intentionally misreading what I wrote to do what you always do with me, engaging in yet another pointless argument because you don't like me. This is about your personal vendetta, like all your constant criticism of everything I write.
You have now wrecked another thread.
And you made your point ... everyone else can decide what they want. So stop.
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I admit to you intentionally misreading what I wrote to do what you always do with me, engaging in yet another pointless argument because you don't like me. This is about your personal vendetta, like all your constant criticism of everything I write.
You have now wrecked another thread.
And you made your point ... everyone else can decide what they want. So stop.
Lol. I literally just read what you wrote. If you don't want me to read what you actually posted, but instead read your mind on what you meant to post, I guess I'll apologize for that.
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I'd say 4. Clingan in the late first wouldn't shock me.
Clingan is the second most likely IMHO. Hawkins and Sanogo are the other two. Who is your 4th? Jackson?
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Clingan is the second most likely IMHO. Hawkins and Sanogo are the other two. Who is your 4th? Jackson?
Jackson straight up said last night that he's coming back unless Hurley tells him no.
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But your claim that the Hausers "this was all blown up a few weeks later when the Hauser's decided to write a letter and leave." They had written the letter weeks before that. They didn't write the letter, drop it at Wojo's doorstep, and leave.
As I recall, they left within days of MH announcing he was coming back.
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Wahl is returning to Wisky. Is this a cause for concern or should I have a La Trappe beer?
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Worry.
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Wahl is returning to Wisky. Is this a cause for concern or should I have a La Trappe beer?
Panic. They might win the Big East
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The team is going to have to find some other kind of chip to put on their shoulder next year.
Got to think UCONN is going to be motive enough.
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The team is going to have to find some other kind of chip to put on their shoulder next year.
How about chumping the tourney in round two when they had the team/talent to win it all?
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Jackson straight up said last night that he's coming back unless Hurley tells him no.
Everyone says they're coming back in the moment.
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OK, let's get this straight:
Most of the national media -- the people who dismissed us and Shaka as being DePaulesque in November -- has somehow seen the light and believes we are a legitimate candidate for a National Championship in 2024?
Really?
Sounds like classic overcompensation to me.
Not to be a buzz killer but we got killed on the boards last year. Teams that were physical and bumped us off our game and got in our face drove us batty during the regular season. We won because we were poised and very well coached!
And, Tom Izzo hasn't yet retired!
Look, I think we have a really good team. Probably, the best we have had since 2003. Our Coach is incredible. Probably the best we've had since McGuire. We have an open scholarship and one hopes we end up with a bruiser somewhere. If we don't, can Oso and Ben bulk up?
But there are enough question marks to make me believe we have a good team -- a regional final team and maybe a Top 10 team. But, maybe we are and I don't see it well enough, but I have trouble believing we're the best!
We'll know after Maui!
F**k 'em!!!!
Breathe DG.
What do you expect from a brussel sprout eating Cardinal fan?
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We were ranked 6th going into the tourney, got a 2 seed, and have a chance to return our top 9 players.
You still have to prove it on the court but if the team is back intact these rankings are not surprising and deserved, IMO.
Counterpoint… the defense wasn’t great. We allowed over a point per possession (compare to UCONN at .94.. Seton hall .97… CU at .979 etc
We went 0-3 Vs the Big Ten, including a home game against an NIT team
Our top 6 minutes guys can all return, but all of them have been in the program for multiple years.. why do we project a significant jump?
I’d bet on us having a lofty ranking next year… but I would not bet on matching our BE record of this more; plus, nonconf will present multiple challenging games
#pray
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Our top 6 minutes guys can all return, but all of them have been in the program for multiple years.. why do we project a significant jump?
All of our guys have areas where they can improve. It doesn't have to be a significant jump. Slight improvement in those areas means we're in the conversation to be a Final Four team. That's all you can ask for. It takes a little bit of luck to win it all. Even UConn has a little bit of luck, as they missed the 1 and 2 seeds.
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If you average all of the early rankings together, Marquette is the average number 1 team.
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/way-too-early-top-25-field-of-68
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If you average all of the early rankings together, Marquette is the average number 1 team.
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/way-too-early-top-25-field-of-68
There’s no scenario Marquette gets better. Sure, the defense got better as the season went along, but to expect it to be better next year is silly. Guys have been in the program for a few years, their ability to get better is capped.
The freshmen may get better but so what? They don’t play as many minutes as the upperclassmen have. Sure, two years in the program and another season in the weight room might help, but I doubt that helps the team.
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Breathe DG.
What do you expect from a brussel sprout eating Cardinal fan?
You forgot egg hating ;D
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Clingan is the second most likely IMHO. Hawkins and Sanogo are the other two. Who is your 4th? Jackson?
Yes. Hadn't seen the comment about returning though.
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There’s no scenario Marquette gets better. Sure, the defense got better as the season went along, but to expect it to be better next year is silly. Guys have been in the program for a few years, their ability to get better is capped.
The freshmen may get better but so what? They don’t play as many minutes as the upperclassmen have. Sure, two years in the program and another season in the weight room might help, but I doubt that helps the team.
Should this have been Teal? What MU Coach said every practice "Everyone should make an incremental improvement"? Someone working on a new offensive move, gaining strength and if needed weight, improving free throws, outside shot. Add up the sum of the improvements, and MU can make a solid run to the title.
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I have no idea if the team can be better next year, but definitely believe there is still room for upside from the returning guys. Plus, I think there is some relatively high room for improvement. Oso getting a 6-10ft shot, Omax rebounding better and staying on his feet, Joplin and Kam improve on defense, Stevie a more confident scorer, Gold shooting better and other guys as well. This is a group that I believe all can be better players next season. No promise if the team is better, but I like the chances.
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Should this have been Teal? What MU Coach said every practice "Everyone should make an incremental improvement"? Someone working on a new offensive move, gaining strength and if needed weight, improving free throws, outside shot. Add up the sum of the improvements, and MU can make a solid run to the title.
Consider the source, then reread with the proper tone
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Yes. Hadn't seen the comment about returning though.
To be honest, I hadn't seen Jackson's comments either. I hadn't thought of Jackson as a potential early entrant but doing some quick googling I see he's projected to be a second rounder in a few mocks. He's got the right size and defensive chops to be a pro but I didn't think he'd have a shot with how poor his shooting was.
The comments are encouraging for UConn fans, but I wouldn't take them as gospel. Justin Lewis said he was coming back on his Instagram last season but ultimately rescinded and went pro. If Jackson were to get drafted, it's hard to imagine his stock being higher than it is now. I guess if he is just as good next season but becomes a sharpshooter as well but I don't know how likely that is.
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I have no idea if the team can be better next year, but definitely believe there is still room for upside from the returning guys. Plus, I think there is some relatively high room for improvement. Oso getting a 6-10ft shot, Omax rebounding better and staying on his feet, Joplin and Kam improve on defense, Stevie a more confident scorer, Gold shooting better and other guys as well. This is a group that I believe all can be better players next season. No promise if the team is better, but I like the chances.
Those are all very reasonable.
Stevie averaged 26 points a game his senior year in HS and scored over 2,000 points. He has some scoring ability in him and I think once his confidence comes around he’ll be much more of a threat to score.
I also think the staff makes an exception to the “no mid range shots” rule next year for Oso because it’ll create so many opportunities for him if they have to guard him away from the rim.
I think Kam will focus primarily on his body this offseason, which will in turn help his defense. There was a time where after a game he said “I was going to dunk it but I didn’t have the legs.” I don’t think he’ll have that problem next year.
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I have no idea if the team can be better next year, but definitely believe there is still room for upside from the returning guys. Plus, I think there is some relatively high room for improvement. Oso getting a 6-10ft shot, Omax rebounding better and staying on his feet, Joplin and Kam improve on defense, Stevie a more confident scorer, Gold shooting better and other guys as well. This is a group that I believe all can be better players next season. No promise if the team is better, but I like the chances.
Yup. Thinking these guys have maxed out seems silly.
Will the record be better? Maybe not but I’m willing to be they’ll have a chance to be a better team
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Rico
I do not expect them to match the regular season record next year but believe they will be better team if core guys are back. They will be built for March next season.
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The team is going to have to find some other kind of chip to put on their shoulder next year.
"Everyone is already saying we're overrated!"
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"Everyone is already saying we're overrated!"
I guess they literally can't say were underrated.
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I guess they literally can't say were underrated.
Well, it's not unanimous...
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Well, it's not unanimous...
.....Yet
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You forgot egg hating ;D
That would be kicking a guy when he’s down.
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To be honest, I hadn't seen Jackson's comments either. I hadn't thought of Jackson as a potential early entrant but doing some quick googling I see he's projected to be a second rounder in a few mocks. He's got the right size and defensive chops to be a pro but I didn't think he'd have a shot with how poor his shooting was.
The comments are encouraging for UConn fans, but I wouldn't take them as gospel. Justin Lewis said he was coming back on his Instagram last season but ultimately rescinded and went pro. If Jackson were to get drafted, it's hard to imagine his stock being higher than it is now. I guess if he is just as good next season but becomes a sharpshooter as well but I don't know how likely that is.
My thinking is that if he was a decent shooter he'd be an absolute lock in the first round. If a team thinks they can turn him into something serviceable there, no brainer to grab him late 1st or 2nd. The size, athleticism, defense, feel for the game are all there. Even if his shooting never gets better, I think he's at least an NBA rotation player in the regular season.
The relationship between him and Hurley seems to be pretty strong from comments that have been made by both, so sticking around wouldn't shock me at all.
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Looking at UConn, I think Clingan and Jackson are the two that should be most inclined to go (after obviously Hawkins). Both have appealing upside and haven't been overly exposed yet in terms of their negatives. Right now, Clingan can ride the "next Walker Kessler" train to the draft but if he stays too long he could be the "next Zach Edey" that is never getting picked no matter his collegiate production. Jackson has all the tools and if he can convince a team they can fix his shot has a decent chance of getting called. But if he stays and the shot doesn't start to improve, he could get written off as one of those guys that is borderline but not quite worthy (like Justin ended up, though for different reasons).
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Looking at UConn, I think Clingan and Jackson are the two that should be most inclined to go (after obviously Hawkins). Both have appealing upside and haven't been overly exposed yet in terms of their negatives. Right now, Clingan can ride the "next Walker Kessler" train to the draft but if he stays too long he could be the "next Zach Edey" that is never getting picked no matter his collegiate production. Jackson has all the tools and if he can convince a team they can fix his shot has a decent chance of getting called. But if he stays and the shot doesn't start to improve, he could get written off as one of those guys that is borderline but not quite worthy (like Justin ended up, though for different reasons).
Run it back? A look at what the UConn men's basketball team's roster could look like next season
David Borges
April 5, 2023
https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-mens-basketball/article/huskies-dan-hurley-adama-sanogo-jordan-hawkins-17878666.php
HOUSTON — It didn't take long for the question to pop up in the victorious UConn men's basketball team's locker room on Monday night.
Will the Huskies run it back?
Obviously, a lot remains to be seen in the coming weeks, even months. Some players will leave the program, either via graduation, going pro or, possibly, the transfer portal. Several new faces will join the roster, including the No. 4-rated 2023 recruiting class in the country.
But the core of this championship team will likely stay intact as the Huskies embark on a journey to become the first repeat national champion since Florida in 2007. That Gator team, led by Joakim Noah, expressly announced its desire to repeat its 2006 title win over UCLA and made good on it. Similarly, the 2009 North Carolina team, which had gone 36-3 but lost to Kansas in the Final Four the prior season, made it a point to have most of its key players come back and delivered a title.
So, will these Huskies be motivated to do the same? In this day and age of Name, Image and Likeness compensation, it's not out of the realm. Staying in school for another year to reap NIL benefits could be more lucrative than turning pro and playing in the G-League, or even in Europe.
First, let's look at who'll be leaving. Joey Calcaterra, "Joey California" himself, is out of eligibility and off into the real world. He may look into playing in Italy or Greece.
Jordan Hawkins is a likely NBA first-round draft pick, maybe even a lottery pick, as Dan Hurley suggested on Monday night. If that's the case, he's almost certainly gone, just like James Bouknight two years earlier.
Everywhere else, there are question marks. Adama Sanogo may be the biggest one. The NCAA tourney's Most Outstanding Player dominated in March, and most of the season, but the NBA doesn't value 6-foot-9 centers. He has developed a perimeter shooting game (35.8 percent from 3), however, and may have boosted his stock with his tourney run.
Asked about his future on Monday night, Sanogo was non-committal.
"I'll talk to my coaches, my family, and go from there," he said.
Andre Jackson Jr. is a unique player with the athleticism and defensive prowess to find an NBA niche. He's on scouts' radars, but may not bring enough offense to the table. Will he be back at UConn next season?
"I hope so. I want to come back," he said. "If Coach tells me to leave, I'll leave. But I want to come back."
So, Jackson will be back.
Seniors Tristen Newton and Nahiem Alleyne and little-used junior Richie Springs all joined Calcaterra in Senior Day festivities in February, but all three still have a year of eligibility left. Newton, an NCAA all-tournament selection, could return as the Huskies' starting point guard. UConn has McDonald's All-American point guard Stephon Castle coming in next season, but handing the point guard reins to a freshman, even one as talented as Castle, can be risky.
Alleyne, who really turned it up in March, would seem to be a good candidate to return. Springs appears to have played his last game in a UConn uniform. Junior Hassan Diarra, this year's back-up point guard whose playing time dwindled in March, has some decisions to make.
There's the Samson Johnson quandary. Johnson is a much-heralded, 6-10 forward whose sophomore season was derailed by an early-season foot injury. Hurley has publicly pleaded for Johnson to "be patient." It remains to be seen what he'll do.
Then there are the fab freshmen, Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban. Clingan, the 7-footer from Bristol, could possibly be an NBA first-round pick in June if he declared. It's unlikely he'll do so, however, if you heard him talking Monday night.
Clingan spoke of how Emeka Okafor and Ray Allen were telling him after the game to "live in the gym this summer, and I'll be able to take over this program one day. It's nice to hear that from such great people who left their marks on UConn history. It means a lot to have support from them."
Clingan will likely test the NBA Draft waters. Will he return for his sophomore season?
"Yes sir. We've got a great group of guys coming in. It should be fun."
Karaban has already started that campaign.
"Hell yeah, I'm talking to D.C., maybe we can pull off some Breanna Stewart 4-for-4 (national titles)," Karaban quipped, referring to Clingan. "That's gonna be damn near impossible, but you've got to dream big in this program."
Indeed, it's a virtual certainty that Clingan won't be around for all four years. Karaban may not, either, though he's certain to return for at least another year or two.
Then there's the "Fab Five" recruiting class of Castle, 6-7 forward Jaylin Stewart, 6-4 guard Solo Ball, 6-7 forward Jayden Ross and 7-foot center Youssouf Singare. Castle appears to be first in line for playing time, though some of that hinges on whether Newton returns. Stewart should be a strong candidate for minutes, as well as Ball. Ross is probably less likely to be a factor as a freshman, and Singare is very raw offensively and could use a year as Clingan's (or, who knows, Sanogo and Clingan's) backup.
Either way, the Huskies must clear five roster spots to make room for the Fab Five. They'll find a way.
UConn has also been busy scouring the transfer portal, seemingly focused on finding a shooter or two.
A roster with Sanogo, Jackson, Newton, Karaban, Clingan and Alleyne at its core is national repeat-worthy (though it would be interesting to see how Clingan would feel about being a back-up again). Jackson, Newton, Karaban, Clingan and Alleyne, with Castle, Stewart, Ball, maybe Johnson making key contributions, would win a lot of games. There are too many other variant lineups to consider.
But there is little question that the Huskies will again be very strong next season. Little question that they can run it back.
david.borges@hearstmediact.com @DaveBorges
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There’s no scenario Marquette gets better. Sure, the defense got better as the season went along, but to expect it to be better next year is silly. Guys have been in the program for a few years, their ability to get better is capped.
The freshmen may get better but so what? They don’t play as many minutes as the upperclassmen have. Sure, two years in the program and another season in the weight room might help, but I doubt that helps the team.
There are several of our stars who can develop their non dominant hand on the dribble drive . Refining those skills will make our offense much more difficult to scheme and defend against .
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Run it back? A look at what the UConn men's basketball team's roster could look like next season
David Borges
April 5, 2023
Meh...everyone says they're going to come back right afterwards. Sam Dekker said he was coming back. Then he declared.
Jackson's stock will likely never be higher, Clingan's could go up but is more likely to go down significantly. We won't know for sure for a few weeks, but I put absolutely zero stock in an article saying they'll all be back because of a few quote snippets on the heels of a national title win.
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The Athletic is going all in on the Big East and I’m here for it: https://theathletic.com/4806133/2023/08/28/college-basketball-preseason-top-rankings-kansas-marquette-duke/?source=user_shared_article
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I agree with the writers that Oso might be the most underrated player in the country. He's gonna have a great season.
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The Athletic is going all in on the Big East and I’m here for it: https://theathletic.com/4806133/2023/08/28/college-basketball-preseason-top-rankings-kansas-marquette-duke/?source=user_shared_article
Vecenie is the same writer who consistently pushed the "OMax is a mid-first-rounder" hype train. He always has favorable stuff to say re: MU
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Vecenie is the same writer who consistently pushed the "OMax is a mid-first-rounder" hype train. He always has favorable stuff to say re: MU
Sam was wrong on Justin Lewis.
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Vecenie is the same writer who consistently pushed the "OMax is a mid-first-rounder" hype train. He always has favorable stuff to say re: MU
I mean he was picked 1st round, 24th. Was he really that far off?
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I mean he was picked 1st round, 24th. Was he really that far off?
I don't think SaveOD said he was "really that far off"?
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I can live with being picked second in the nation. This way there’s still room for improvement. This team needs some chip on its shoulder anyway.
It’s absolutely amazing how we went from the Wojo era to this in only three years. That already seems like a decade ago.
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I can live with being picked second in the nation. This way there’s still room for improvement. This team needs some chip on its shoulder anyway.
It’s absolutely amazing how we went from the Wojo era to this in only three years. That already seems like a decade ago.
I mean, it was really done in one season. Season one laid the groundwork. By season two, we won the Big East regular season by 2 games, won the Big East Tournament, and were a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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I can live with being picked second in the nation.
The last time we were preseason #2 was the Fall 1976 AP Poll. I'd take a similar outcome.
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wades
Agreed on season one building the groundwork, but it is much bigger than that. That season was the turning point for the program, and I will remember as much as last season. That being said, I could not be happier seeing the preseason hype for the team. I can't say I am 100% surprised, but 100% surprised on how it was put together. I thought Shaka would have us highly ranked via the transfer portal.
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wades
Agreed on season one building the groundwork, but it is much bigger than that. That season was the turning point for the program, and I will remember as much as last season. That being said, I could not be happier seeing the preseason hype for the team. I can't say I am 100% surprised, but 100% surprised on how it was put together. I thought Shaka would have us highly ranked via the transfer portal.
Agreed. I was skeptical about Shaka's approach to not hitting the transfer portal. I didn't think you could win in today's game without doing so, and I didn't think the talent he was bringing in was going to be good enough to make up for not getting proven talent in the portal. But Shaka's and the staff's eye for talent appears to be pretty spot on, and so far they've been able to "get old" and hopefully will be "staying old" and winning with development and culture.
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It’s absolutely amazing how we went from the Wojo era to this in only three years. That already seems like a decade ago.
Only 2 seasons and an Italy trip under his belt. I love this man.
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Only 2 seasons and an Italy trip under his belt. I love this man.
The trip to Italy has nothing to do with Shaka. The NCAA permits a foreign trip once every four years, and Marquette typically takes advantage of the rule, with recent prior trips to Spain in 2019 and Italy in 2015.
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wades
Agreed on season one building the groundwork, but it is much bigger than that. That season was the turning point for the program, and I will remember as much as last season. That being said, I could not be happier seeing the preseason hype for the team. I can't say I am 100% surprised, but 100% surprised on how it was put together. I thought Shaka would have us highly ranked via the transfer portal.
Coach Smart has also managed to accomplish one major thing in only 2 years that Coach Wojo couldn't accomplish in 7 years and that is to re-balance the roster. Talk about building a solid foundation. It's hard to build for long term success if you have guys coming and going all the time. We now have very talented people in all 4 classes, with an exceptional class coming in in 2025. And everyone seems pretty happy.
The re-balance is what I'm happy about.
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The trip to Italy has nothing to do with Shaka. The NCAA permits a foreign trip once every four years, and Marquette typically takes advantage of the rule, with recent prior trips to Spain in 2019 and Italy in 2015.
I don't think he was trying to say Shaka deserves some sort of praise for the Italy trip. Just counting how long he's been our coach, two seasons and an Italy trip.
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I don't think he was trying to say Shaka deserves some sort of praise for the Italy trip. Just counting how long he's been our coach, two seasons and an Italy trip.
And some post season workouts based on the Oso interview about after Wojo was fired