Early CBE Loss to Duke = Forgone Conclusion

[NersEllenson]

Silliest logic I've ever read.  First, which experts....MU, was picked 12th by the coaches but as high as 8th by other experts, magazines, etc. 



MU, despite being picked 8th through 12th, still returned a first team all Big East player and top 5 scorer of all-time in the program, a first team JUCO All American, several returning seniors, etc.    To compare them to what Indiana brought back is laughable, which is why IU was picked either dead last in the Big Ten or 10th by two publications.

Come on Ners, use some logic.  I read some of this stuff from grads and it doesn't surprise me that we're ranked 330th best school in the nation. 

The problem with logic is that my argument was made against 84's assertion - and 84 uses all kinds of incorrect logic to draw his conclusions.  But...are you really going to argue that Mo Acker and David Cubiallan's returning numbers were that big of factor in us far exceeding preseason expectations??  I believe Mo and David averaged a combined 9 points coming out of there Junior years.  Not exactly a lot to predict MU with a Top 5 finish in the Big East (and finishing with its 2nd best win total in Big East play thus far.)  That said, Indiana's last place finish was pretty tragic last year - particularily they got whipped 9 of their last 10 games by 10-30 points per game.

[Marquette84]

The problem with logic is that my argument was made against 84's assertion - and 84 uses all kinds of incorrect logic to draw his conclusions. 

I gotta call you on this.  What incorrect logic are you referring to.  And please don't use Lenny's twisted version--please use my version.

But...are you really going to argue that Mo Acker and David Cubiallan's returning numbers were that big of factor in us far exceeding preseason expectations?? 

Funny, you accuse me of twisting facts, but you damn well know that my prediction based on far more than Acker.

In additon to Acker's decent performance in the last eight games, I factored in the following:

--We had Lazar coming back--in virtually all the pre-season NBA mock drafts and even making the first round in one of them.  I was singing his praises LONG before you or any of the other bandwagon jumpers.
--We had Butler coming back--who was the #4 ranked Offensive Rating the previous year, and absolutely demonstrated the potential for greatness over the last half of the season.
--We had DJO and Buycks coming in--two players who were first team JUCO all americans, and who were being recruited by the likes of UK, Tennessee, Missouri, Pitt, Illinois, etc.  And typically, first team JUCOs are strong contributors.
--Cubillan, by all reports, had overcome the challenges of dual shoulder surgery and was outperforming his promising freshman performance over the summer.
--the league was going to be down--there were a huge number of losses to graduation
--We had one of the top recruiting classes in the league--ranked anywhere from #1 to top 20.
--The schedule was an absolute gift.  Not only did we get the easiest crossover schedule, the home/road schedule gave us the home court advantage for the most competitive games.

The most frustrating thing is that people like you and lenny are still arguing these points, even after we know who was right and who was wrong.

That and your continued lies that my prediction was somehow based on some nebulous "agenda" rather than a solid analysis--apparently a better analysis that you were able to perform.

Finally, can I get a straight answer out of you on the reason for your strange obsession with Indiana?  It seems like you have some inferiority complex that the UW fans have with MU.  They're not a regular opponent--we haven't played them outside a tournament setting in decades.  They're not a rival of ours.  They're in a different league.  

We're better than IU right now--but we're also better than St. Louis, USC, & Wagner, as well as Northwestern, Arizona, Utah, and Lamar.  

[NersEllenson]

Back on topic -- no need to respond to 84's continued rants and long-winded replies.  MU/Duke should be a very good game.  Hard to bet against what will probably be the Number 1 ranked team in America.  That said, I like MU's chances.  Buzz relishes the underdog role and will have the guys ready to play.  I'd take MU and the line..which I'd put at about Duke giving 6-8 points.

I feel good about our backcourt matchups - could be crazy to see Kyrie Irving go against Van Blue or even Reggie Smith..some amazing athleticism on display.  DJO will be our key.  IF he goes off, we win.

[77ncaachamps]

Anybody know if any of our bigs can stop this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5KSDQRwyuw

[Lighthouse 84]

maybe if the defender turned around, he'd have a better chance at stopping the dunk.

just sayin....