Reason for optimism

[fjm]

Too bad you can't bet on MU and Poto. I'd put down some cash for MU to make the sweet 16. Two tough breaks the last two games. This team has gotta be pissed.

[tower912]

Is that what you EXPECT or what you hope for.

It is what I believe is possible.

[wisblue]

It is what I believe is possible.

That's more like hope than expectation.

[The Sultan]

That's more like hope than expectation.

What's the difference and who really cares?

[Newsdreams]

Too bad you can't bet on MU and Poto. I'd put down some cash for MU to make the sweet 16. Two tough breaks the last two games. This team has gotta be pissed.

Never got hot dogs?

[tower912]

That's more like hope than expectation.

And?  I believe it is possible.   I have said so since day 1.  Nothing has changed that.

[wisblue]

And?  I believe it is possible.   I have said so since day 1.  Nothing has changed that.

Just curious.

Usually when people say they are optimistic about a successful outcome it means that they are confident that it will happen, not just that it is possible. But you don't seem to be using the word that way.

[MU82]

It looks like St. John's is gonna be a #2 seed. We played right with them both at home and on the road. We've played pretty darn well the last two weeks, every bit as well as many teams that will be seeded higher than us in the tournament.

We'll need some shots to go in, both 3s and FTs, but not crazy percentages. Of course, dozens of other teams can say the same thing. It's one reason the NCAAT is so much fun.

I'll wait to see what the bracket looks like before I make any formal predictions, but we certainly are playing well enough to win a couple/few NCAAT games.

[Pakuni]

Since the Villanova game, they've played well. The L at UCONN was close despite shooting 4-22 for 3. The OT loss, vs one of the best teams in the nation was while shooting 12-22 from FT. If MU shoots even below average in both games, they're entering the BET on a run. Overall, they're playing well and they'll upset someone to get into the S16. There isn't a team they can't play with. Catch a break, and go to SA!

Are you really playing well when you shoot 4-for-22 from three? Or 12-22 from the line?
Seems like those are important factors to consider when judging how well a team is performing.

You're right that if this team can "put it all together" they can compete. Problem is, they haven't put it all together, at least against a quality opponent, in two months.
We all hope they can buck the trends, but that's a lot easier said on Scoop than done IRL.

[MU82]

Are you really playing well when you shoot 4-for-22 from three? Or 12-22 from the line?
Seems like those are important factors to consider when judging how well a team is performing.

You're right that if this team can "put it all together" they can compete. Problem is, they haven't put it all together, at least against a quality opponent, in two months.
We all hope they can buck the trends, but that's a lot easier said on Scoop than done IRL.

I actually do believe you can "play well" even if you don't shoot well.

St. John's is the embodiment of that. They are last in the conference in 3PT% and next-to-last in FT%, but they do so many other things extremely well (especially play defense and rebound) that they can overcome their poor shooting. I happen to think they've played very well; don't you?

IMHO, the main knock against "played well but ... " for Marquette is that, unlike St. John's, we haven't been able to get it done at the end of close games against good teams. That's fair criticism.

I nonetheless remain optimistic because I do think we're capable of shooting well enough to win some more games this season. The losses to UConn and St. John's suggest to me that we're real close.

Others can disagree; that's what this board is for. But I do wish that rip-jobs and pessimism would be put in threads that aren't specifically about "Reason for optimism." (FWIW, I don't think your comment was a rip-job or overly pessimistic, Pak.)