Half of Top 25 had worse performances than our USF loss this week

[reinko]

I would argue because there is no better time to take on a real tough road game then after a let down.

Hopefully MU wins a big one a Tuesday, then takes care of business at home, and enters the final 5 with a 12-1 record.

And if MU did that...bong!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Why's that?  I don't disagree, I'm just curious.

I'm not sure we would really learn much about ourselves in those two games at home.  We should win both of them, even though the Hall is on a 4 game winning streak and St. John's has played better of late.

[warrior_jr]

Agreed.  Both of the two above. 

[bamamarquettefan]

I agree with Chicos on being glad we are at Nova next.  That game gives us a chance at redemption quick, whereas a win vs. St. John's would do nothing for us as a followup to USF, so I think that's what he meant.  I watched a lot of hoops this weekend with all the packages I've bought to make sure I see every MU game this year, and was really encouraged by how many positive references there were to Marquette.  No matter who I had on, there was always something said like, "that USF upset of Marquette is really surprising because Marquette looks so good this year," and there were several references to Jerel McNeil clearly being the top player in the Big East this year, or from others that it was either Jerel or Louisville's Terrell Williams, who went 0 for 7 from the floor today against St. John's.  Buzz was mentioned on several games as the leading candidate for national coach of the year.  Several mentioned that last second tip-ins didn't go to prevent MU from winning, so I do think it did end up being a lot better for our standing than if we'd lost by 10.  In short, it really was unbelievably positive conversations across the country for such a bad loss.  We may not fall far, and I hope Nova scoots up several to draw a lot of attention to the game.

[The Man in Gold]

Along the same lines, a very tough week to be unbeaten in conference...From Andy Katz:

Memphis' regular-season league winning streak is hard to top. Davidson lost to College of Charleston to end its streak of 43 straight wins in the Southern Conference. Xavier saw its undefeated Atlantic 10 season go down at Duquesne. Siena lost at Rider to see its undefeated quest in the MAAC dissolve. On Friday night, Marquette, which probably had no shot at going undefeated in the Big East, lost at South Florida. Earlier in the week, Butler saw its undefeated season in the Horizon League end at Green Bay. Cornell lost its first Ivy League game at Princeton on Friday. That's why Memphis' winning 50 games in a row against Conference USA opponents has to be one of the most impressive streaks in recent memory. Beating Gonzaga handily in Spokane in a key non-conference matchup isn't bad for the Tigers' résumé, either. The Tigers aren't going anywhere, America. Get used to it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3891482

Clearly the loss hurts, but it will be how we rebound that will determine how far this team goes.  In the BEAST losses will happen, the key is to prevent them from becoming a losing streak.

[1990Warrior]

As far as our resume goes, the biggest hole is quality (top 50 rpi) road wins.  We have four shots (Georgetown still has a 36 RPI).  I think we need at least two, with one preferably coming against Pitt/Lou, to get at least a three seed or higher.

If we fail at this then a big run in the BE tournament would get as a three but that is a crap shoot.

I don't think bad losses (we might only have one) will be looked at nearly as much as lack of big wins for the favorable seeds.

[Wade for President]

...enters the final 5 with a 12-1 record.

And if MU did that...bong!

Bong?!?  Like Michael Phelps?

[Tugg Speedman]

The real world doesn't look at Pomeroy.  They see Butler, a clear mid-major, losing on the road to another mid-major.  They see Xavier, in a mid-major conference (even though I don't consider Xavier mid-major) and losing to another winning team on the road.  They see Marquette, in first place in the Big East go play the 2nd to last place team and lose.

That's why we'll take the hit bigger than anyone else.

I agree, we beat Nova and it takes care of itself.  I wish I had the confidence to suggest we will win on Tuesday.  Tough game on the road.

Wrong again Chico, we moved to #10 in AP.