We are going to get worked on Saturday

[nola03]

Marquette is not playing well this season for the full 40 except Northern Iowa but I still see Wisconsin as a very good matchup to be exploited by our personnel.

The Badgers played their perfect game on Monday night and I think it may have been the only time some MU fans saw them and are disproportionately worried.

[THEGYMBAR]

MU wins this game. The coaching matchup scares me but MU actually is in a must win situation after the Dayton loss. We win by 10 on Saturday night.

[Niv Berkowitz]

UW has the better coach so that doesn't help us. That's not a bash on Buzz, just a fact that whether you hate Bo or love him, he's done more with less talent than most coaches in the country. He could be the X factor. Hopefully Buzz takes him down.

[tower912]

If Bucky doesn't turn the ball over, they win.   If the score is <75, Bucky wins.   If Bucky has more FTA's than us, they win.    If Marquette is able to turn over Bucky's guards and Burke channels last years' game, we win.

[robmufan]

I really like the matchup here.  Dayton was able to run with us, keep our pace, beat us at our own game.  I don't see Wisconsin able to do this. 

Bucky might be able to slow down the tempo, but with the press we will put on, I think it will be hard for them to get into their set.  Yes they will run the shot clock down as ESPN pointed out every possession on monday, but I dont think we will let them start that set untill <28 secs on the shot clock.  It makes a difference!

[Hards Alumni]

MU wins this game. The coaching matchup scares me but MU actually is in a must win situation after the Dayton loss. We win by 10 on Saturday night.

exactly zero games in december are 'must win' games.

[Big Papi]

I was told that Fulce was cleared to play as of last night's game. He was out warming up with O'Tule well before anyone else yesterday.

Thats great news but how badly hurt is McNeal?  He had that nasty collision on his knee last week and his xray was negative but it doesn't look like McNeal is as quick as he has been in the past.   

[muwarrior87]

ptm is right in regards to Fulce. He's cleared and if this week goes well in practice and the pain isn't too bad for him, I expect him to play.  This will really help as he's another guy we can throw into the mix to give Zar some breathers if he gets in foul trouble instead of going with a DJ, McNeal, Cubie, Matthews, Butler lineup. We'll need his athleticism and size. He was hitting a lot of midrange jumpers during his runthrough prior to yesterdays game.

[MUSF]

exactly zero games in december are 'must win' games.

+100

[TallTitan34]

+100

Two years ago we lost to NDSU at home and Wisconsin at home and still made the tournament.  Much worse than losing to Dayton on a neutral court and Wisconsin at home.  In no way is this a must win.

[Henry Sugar]

Define "must-win"

From a team perspective, it's definitely not a must-win.

For Buzz, however, a loss on Saturday erases much of the goodwill he has gathered so far.  Look at all the consternation after the loss to Dayton.  Think it'll be any better losing a second weekend in a row... on our home court... to a key rival?

If Buzz doesn't win, he's in an awfully deep hole with a lot of fans.

[nola03]

If Buzz doesn't win, he's in an awfully deep hole with a lot of fans.

I understand the point about Buzz being in a hole though I'm not sure how deep it will reach. Even with the rivalry game, it's still early.

I also think the reverse is true: if Buzz' words on defense stand up on Saturday night and his push it down their throats philosophy on offense/transition pummels UW into the ground and MU controls the game for 40 minutes and wins by 15 or more, coach may get a reprieve from unlikely sources well into January.

[4everwarriors]

Dukiet smoked Bucky early on in his first season and we all know how that turned out.

[nola03]

Dukiet smoked Bucky early on in his first season and we all know how that turned out.

The Wisconsin program is of a much different stature then it was for Dukiet's debut.

[Hards Alumni]

Define "must-win"

From a team perspective, it's definitely not a must-win.

For Buzz, however, a loss on Saturday erases much of the goodwill he has gathered so far.  Look at all the consternation after the loss to Dayton.  Think it'll be any better losing a second weekend in a row... on our home court... to a key rival?

If Buzz doesn't win, he's in an awfully deep hole with a lot of fans.

it speaks for itself (since everyone went ape-poopy last time i used a law term)

no game in december is a must win and people who judge whether or not a coach is 'good' in the first month or two of games probably will never be happy.  Let the judging occur in March (or April, knock on wood) when the season is over.

While we were 'supposed' to beat Dayton, I think a lot of people aren't giving them the credit they deserve. 

Dayton - 7-0
18th RPI
27th AP poll
19th USA Today/ESPN

Wisconsin - 6-1
15th RPI
28th AP poll
21st USA Today/ESPN

[lab_warrior]

Wow...the Stone Cold Stunner...of pessimism.  Thanks for posting, Debbie Downer.  We're going to win on Saturday. 

[lab_warrior]

Hey Stone Cold--great call!  We really got "worked" didn't we? 

[Blackhat]

Ha. Ha.   I'm glad to take the kitten of the month award.

Lets build on this now fellas, defense looked a lot more solid last night.   

[mviale]

I think Marquette is playing rope a dope.  Trying to fool everyone that we are horrible and then BAM!

I told yall!