Villanova is a must win

[ErickJD08]

All I care about is getting that bye and tomorrow is a must win.  Villanova has a great shot at running the table with their hardest game at Syracuse (and at ND if they can start playing defense).  A win will give a three game cushion and that means (looking ahead) that we need 2 of the last 5 games which is doable. 

PS. I think the fourth bye will have a 5 loss cushion.

[dwaderoy2004]

I would say not a must-win, but if we do, we are really in the driver's seat for a top-4 finish.  As you mentioned, it effectively gives us a four game cushion in the loss column for the 4 seed, since we would own tie-breakers over nova, cincy, providence and west virginia.  a loss, and we still control our own destiny. 

[jaygall31]

Villanova is scoring the ball as good as anyone in the league right now, and their D shows up a lot better @ home. We'll need to play near flawless to steal this one. Nova is a good team, that we caught off guard on New Years morning. Let's get this one, whatever it takes, DJ can't let Scottie get off.

[only a warrior]

All I care about is getting that bye and tomorrow is a must win. 

Is that all you really care about?? Life must be good 

[1617novakn]

In our position, you cannot call a game in the second week of February a must win. Syracuse most likely isn't going to pass us, so our floor is a 5 seed. If Nova is the 4 or we are, it is going to come down to 4 vs 5 in the third round. The 5 won't lose to the 12/13 - which will most likely be in the USF (ironic, I know) or Seton Hall caliber. ND won't stay down there.

Villanova will be favored in the game, as they should be because it is a very tough place to play. Going into the game with a "must-win" mentality will make a loss feel like the end of the world and a win feel so-so. A win should be viewed as a giant step forward.

[Hards Alumni]

good lord, people are stupid.

we could lose out and make the tourney this year.

[GoldenWarrior]

This game will clearly have an impact for both MU and Nova come time for the BE tournament.  I believe that the USF game will end up being a good reality check for our boys and they will come out really strong these last few games.  I realize Nova is on a roll and are tough at home, but I think we will pull it out with some hard nosed defense lead by Jerel "the real deal" McNeal.  We will finish in the top 4 and secure the 2 byes we all want.

WE ARE MARQUETTE!!!

[ultimate]

good lord, people are stupid.

we could lose out and make the tourney this year.

Yeah, I'd bet my life on making the Big East Tournament this year!
But I sure would like a 1-4 seed!

[GoldenWarrior]

Hards_Alumni:  Who is stupid??  All 16 teams make the Big East tournament this year, and no one is mentioning us not making the NCAA tournament so I'm guessing that's not what you're talking about either, so I'm not sure who you think is stupid, when in fact you appear to be.

[DonCornholeone]

Yeah, no kidding.  We could literally lose out and make the NCAA.  We won't, but we could weather it if it happened (I think we go 4-4 here on out, finishing 13-5)  Hopefully losing to South Florida will show them what can happen when they all take the night off and look ahead to the next game.

[Brewtown Andy]

Yeah, no kidding.  We could literally lose out and make the NCAA.

20-12 on a 10 game losing streak?   Don't see it.

[lab_warrior]

Let's all simmer down now...first, Nova would be an "important", "road/neutral site", or"statement game" win, but it's not a "must" win...if we were GTown or ND, yeah, it'd be a MUST win.  Second, really, people are imagining scenarios where we lose all of our remaining games?!  And, if that actually does happen, we'd STILL make the NCAAs?! 
C'mon now.

[Big Papi]

Let's all simmer down now...first, Nova would be an "important", "road/neutral site", or"statement game" win, but it's not a "must" win...if we were GTown or ND, yeah, it'd be a MUST win.  Second, really, people are imagining scenarios where we lose all of our remaining games?!  And, if that actually does happen, we'd STILL make the NCAAs?! 
C'mon now.

ErikJD is 100% correct.  Not directed at you lab_warrior but some here have some reading comprehension problems.  If we want to finish in the top 4 to get the coveted double bye and if we look at the remaining schedules for both Villanova and MU, this game is a must win game.  A loss tomorrow and it becomes a lot more difficult as we lose our tie-breaker and probably need to win 3 out of our last 5 with one of those wins coming against UConn.

ErikJD is not talking about making the NCAA tourny or our seeding in that tourny.

[Hards Alumni]

20-12 on a 10 game losing streak?   Don't see it.

20-12 on a 10 game losing streak, and I guarentee we still make the NCAA tournament.

20 games in a major conference is basically automatic.  Would we be a terrible seed? yes of course, but we would still get the invite considering what are SOS will be at the end of the year, and of course the 20 wins.

teams have made it with FAR less.

For all of those that thought I meant  BE tourney, what would the sense of even making this thread be if it was the BE tourney that was being referred to?  there are ZERO must win games to make the BE tourney.

Interesting that you would say reading comprehension, because as has been stated, everyone makes the big east tourney, therefore no 'must win' games.  Perhaps the author should be more clear and actually state which tournament he is discussing rather than expect everyone to infer his intent.

[ErickJD08]

Is that all you really care about?? Life must be good 

My life sucks.  I am an unemployed attorney.  MU basketball is all I have right now.  If anyone can give a diehard MU basketball brother some help, it would be much appreciated.

[NavinRJohnson]

Does anyone actually read what people write on here? If MU wants to finish in the top 4 of the Big East, the Villanova game is huge. They appear to be the competition for the 4th spot. Obviously anything can happen. Just as they lost a game they should have won, they could obviously win one they are supposed to lose, (UL, Pitt, etc.), just as Villanova could lose one they should win, but unless you want to pin your hopes of the double bye on that happening, Tuesday certainly would appear to be a must win game. 

[warrior_jr]

the USF game will end up being a good reality check for our boys

WE ARE MARQUETTE!!!

+1

[Big Daddy Z]

not a MUST win, but a must show up and play well game.

[bilsu]

It is not going to happen, but if we finished 10-8 in the Big East and lost our first game in the conference tournament we would not get an NCAA bid. 1-9 record in final 10 will get you bounced for sure. Finishing 11-7 with a first round loss (23-10)would put us on the bubble.

[MuMark]

"Finishing 11-7 with a first round loss (23-10)would put us on the bubble."

Are you insane?

Have you looked at the teams on the bubble right now?

11-7 is an absolute lock. Anyone in the Big East that finishes 11-7 will be in the tournament. 10-8 will get you in...9-9....depends on what you have done outside the conference and in the conference tournament.

last 10 has got more to do with seeding then getting in.

Wow................

[bilsu]

There have been Big East teams in the past left out with losing records. You cannot finish 11-7 after being 9-0 and  expect to get in especially if you also lose in the first round of the Big East tournament to a team that finished behind you in the standings. The NCAA weighs heavily how you do in your last 10 games. If Georgetwon or Notre Dame finished 9-9 in the conference they would get a bid, because they would have to finish strong.

[MuMark]

In another thread you said this:


bilsu
Registered User
All American

Posts: 667

  Re: A Detailed look at the Big East Rankings, Projections, etc.
« Reply #2 on: Today at 06:47:16 PM » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we end up 12-6 we will get a 6 seed not a 3 seed.



So what you are saying is that if we go 12-6 we will get a 6 seed but if we go 11-7 we will be out of the tournament competely?

Sorry....ain't happening.

[Pardner]

hmmm....didn't MU just win the first half of the BE?  How does MU lose all its games in the back half?  Let's bring it back into focus here despite a tough schedule to come.  

Nova is coming back with a shorter rest than us.  We have a lot to prove.  This is the second half of our home and home.  They want a bit of revenge.  Our guards have owned theirs.  Cunningham is on a roll.  Both play three guard sets.   There is a lot of respect between the two schools.  Both teams are scoring at a high rate.  Both teams like to run...both will have tired legs.  Experience.  ESPN2.   How will Buzz and staff adjust after their first BE and road loss?  Nova home floor streak at stake.

This is a "must see".  Enjoy

[Badgerhater920]

hmmm....didn't MU just win the first half of the BE?  How does MU lose all its games in the back half?  Let's bring it back into focus here despite a tough schedule to come.  

Nova is coming back with a shorter rest than us.  We have a lot to prove.  This is the second half of our home and home.  They want a bit of revenge.  Our guards have owned theirs.  Cunningham is on a roll.  Both play three guard sets.   There is a lot of respect between the two schools.  Both teams are scoring at a high rate.  Both teams like to run...both will have tired legs.  Experience.  ESPN2.   How will Buzz and staff adjust after their first BE and road loss?  Nova home floor streak at stake.

This is a "must see".  Enjoy

not gonna like, pardner, you just got be JACKED for tomorrow night's game. WE ARE MARQUETTE

[Hards Alumni]

There have been Big East teams in the past left out with losing records. You cannot finish 11-7 after being 9-0 and  expect to get in especially if you also lose in the first round of the Big East tournament to a team that finished behind you in the standings. The NCAA weighs heavily how you do in your last 10 games. If Georgetwon or Notre Dame finished 9-9 in the conference they would get a bid, because they would have to finish strong.

you mean in years where the SEC and BIG 11 weren't awful?

oh, yes, you neglected to mention that.