Playing with House Money

[jtsanto]

Is any else looking at today and the rest of the tournament like we are playing with house money? BTW this team might be a lot better than we thought. I know that Xavier looked like crap and turned the ball over a lot but I have to give the defense some credit for this. Michigan did not look very good yesterday and we match up with them a lot better than we did Xavier. If we hang with the #15 team in the country then all of the sudden this season starts to look more promising!!!

[muhoosier260]

I'm not expecting Marquette to win this game, so yes I'll agree with your playing with house money analogy. Although I'm not expecting a 'W', but after yesterday's performance I would not be surprised with a close game, As always I expect a full effort, which can lead to good things. Hopefully MU can put up a good fight against a presumably better team and show everyone a thing or two about what this team is capable of.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

That's precisely how I feel.  I think that we can all agree that this is a "rebuilding year".  That being said, expectations for this team aren't high.  After beating a good Xavier team, in spite of being out-manned, todays game against Michigan is gravy.  They're ranked 15th in the nation, while we aren't even on the rankings radar, so if we lose it's expected.....if we win.....well, if we win I think it's safe to say that we've got a legit shot at making the tourney in March.  

Pressure's on Michigan today.  Maybe that will work to our advantage.

[MU gimp ONE]

house money is good if you are worried about losing... however, i want as many wins as possible.  this one would go a long way in confidence and in legitimizing us as not a push over. 

[GOMU1104]

No, not playing with house money...yet.  We still need another win.  Beat Michigan today, then everything else is gravy...

[jtsanto]

Look man if I would have said before this tournament started that we would beat Xavier, would you have been happy? Some people posted that they would have been happy to not get swept out of it. I would like a win but at least now I am thinking that we can at least get three wins.

[VegasWarrior77]

After beating Xavier my expectations are up.  I think we can hang with Michigan.  I look at every game with March Madness in mind.  Beating Michigan could mean the difference between being in the big dance and going to the NIT!  Especially if Michigan jells and finishes near the top in the big televen.

[Djgoldnboy]

I'm with MU77, I've told myself the last several months to not expect much this year....but after yesterday (and even how good we looked vs the cupcakes)...I am, hopefully not foolishly, raising my expectations a little...we'll see how it plays out in t-minus 60 minutes.

[VegasWarrior77]

We certainly will have moments where lessons will be learned - most likely on the road in BEast games.  But there is some solid talent on this team.  Buycks and DJO are showing flashes that explain why they were JUCO all-americans.  Maymon is a hard worker who will improve.  Junior and Otule will be back next year.  They are only going to get better!  If Buzz could only pull in a PF/C glass eating great defender in the spring...!

[jtsanto]

I would caution about raising expectations too soon. This team is going to have a lot of growing pain type moments. I hope we win today, but I think with the zone defense it is going to be tough if we can't shoot.

[MarquetteDano]

I agree with the "House Money" concept with this tourney.  I would like at least one more win (either today or Sunday). 

One thing I don't like with the Michigan matchup is the amount of time Buzz and staff have had to prepare.  Michigan has some quirky things about them and the turnaround between games will be a disadvantage to Marquette more than Michigan.

[MU gimp ONE]

i agree, 19 hours is a tough amount of time to plan for a beilein coached defense.  buzz's coaching ability will be put to the test today.

[Benny B]

House money?  Sure, but I'd say we're only up about $25 or so.  It's hard to get excited about winnings like that (except if you're playing the nickel slots), but at least we're ahead.

[war1980rior]

Now that MU has pushed past UM, you naysayers are going to have to join the rest of us behind your team.  These guys are talented enough to win, but it seems to me it's more attitude.  Probably coming from the top.  Buzz is doing something very right!