In depth 2011-2012 Marquette preview

[Skatastrophy]

http://www.thesportsbank.net/college-bball/18-marquette-golden-eagles-college-basketball-111-in-111/

The writer has a great handle on the team.  Definitely a good primer on what this year might look like for the Warriors

[bilsu]

Assuming the #18 ranking is correct, that would mean making the sweet 16 is an overachievement. Saying MU season would be a disappointment, if they do not make the sweet 16 does not make sense. Expectations generally are that we will finish 5th and given our ranking range win one game in NCAA tournament. Finish 6th or worse is a dissappointment and/or losing in first round of NCAA tournament is a disappointment.

[Skatastrophy]

Assuming the #18 ranking is correct, that would mean making the sweet 16 is an overachievement. Saying MU season would be a disappointment, if they do not make the sweet 16 does not make sense. Expectations generally are that we will finish 5th and given our ranking range win one game in NCAA tournament. Finish 6th or worse is a dissappointment and/or losing in first round of NCAA tournament is a disappointment.

I'd contend that preseason rankings have nothing to do with postseason expectations.

[bilsu]

I'd contend that preseason rankings have nothing to do with postseason expectations.

That is true, because fans tend to be unrealistic. I believe this years team is better than last years and therefore it is not unreasonable to expect them to get to sweet 16 again. However, it all depends on matchups. The right matchups and MU could even go even farther. The wrong matchup and they could be one and done. MU has a good team, but they do not have a dominant team that will get to sweet 16 regardless of the matchup.

[Skatastrophy]

That is true, because fans tend to be unrealistic. I believe this years team is better than last years and therefore it is not unreasonable to expect them to get to sweet 16 again. However, it all depends on matchups. The right matchups and MU could even go even farther. The wrong matchup and they could be one and done. MU has a good team, but they do not have a dominant team that will get to sweet 16 regardless of the matchup.

I totally agree. 

[brewcity77]

Look at last year. What if we had played Butler or Florida State or even UConn in the Sweet 16. I think we would have matched up better with any if those teams. UNC was probably our worst matchup. I think it's fair to make predictions for non-con, conference, and even conference tourneys because you have a decent idea what teams you'll see. When it comes to the NCAAs, who knows? The difference between a first round exit and a Final Four is often which region you're in.