Has any school been tortured more the past three years?

[ecompt]

The loss to Louisville when Jerry Smith drains a 30-footer at the buzzer, the loss to Gtown last year when DJ fouls Wallace on a 3-point attempt, the Stanford loss in which Goofball hits a shot from behind the backboard, the loss to Nova after a tremendous comeback, and now this. Just heartbreaking.
But these kids never quit, and I am proud of them and of being an MU alum.

[AlumKCof93]

As most of you on this board, I've lived and died with these guys the past 4 years.  While they achieved great success. they've also suffered tremendous losses.  At certain times during these difficult losses, I've wondered if they're just not "winners" as they've seemed to find ways to lose close games that have resulted in heartbreak.
But at the end of the day, I don't think its the painful losses that define this team.  Instead its the spirit they've shown in getting back up and competing in every game they played.  Yesterday, they were down by 15 points in the first half and yet I never had a doubt they would make a comeback.  of course, I also had the defeatist feeling that they would lose, but I honestly feel that the legacy of this team is the spirit in which Wes, Jerel, DJ and Burke played their hearts out and represented MU in the finest fashion.  A big reason why these losses have hurt so much is because of the respect I have for each of them in how they've played the game, win or lose.

[Niv Berkowitz]

maybe Todd Rosiak will offer up an encore of his "worst defeats" today?

[reinko]

I understand your point ecompt, but there are about 280 or so D-1 schools are more tortured than MU. 

~The ones that suck every year
~The ones that are never on TV
~The ones that don't graduate players
~The ones that get into the tournament as 13,14,15,16 and just get SMOKED out of the building

Tough losses are a part of the game, but I think MU has had more than their fair share over the past 3 years.

[BrewCity83]

Tough losses with high stakes are more torturous than just general suckiness.

[Norm]

As much as this team and its fan base have been tortured the past 3 years, it has had many other misses in the past 32 years. Since winning the national title in 1977, Marquette has only made the Sweet 16 twice - 1994 and 2003. At least the graduating players went to the NCAA tournament all 4 years.

Stepping back, its actually hard to believe that the program that won more games than any team in the 70's except for UCLA has struggled so much the last 32 years for success in the NCAA tournament. Imagine Michigan State only getting to the Sweet 16 twice in 32 years after Izzo leaves, or the same thing at Syracuse after Boeheim.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

ecompt,

I was thinking yestarday as MU stopped running the offense and watch a few opportunities go by the wayside.  "I dont know how much more of this I can take"  Really depressing, felt like a broken record.  

This morning however, I find myself enthused about next years team.  Maybe not a sweet 16 contender but I believe it will suprise and fight for an NCAA bid.

[ecompt]

actually, reinko is right. We could be DePaul. But my wife and I said to each other at the end of the yesterday's game, "This is absolute torture." It's the way we lost those games.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I believe the reason we've "found a way to lose" a lot of these games is simply because we had no business being in them in the first place. These guys have been scrappy from day one, but let's face it...they're not the most talented guys around. They're undersized, not great shooters and simply not as quick as some of our opponents.

So if we've lost more than our fair share of heartbreakers over the last few years, I think it's simply because our guys couldn't overcome the fact that we were outmanned in almost every game. When it comes to crunch time, superior talent and size is going to win out on hustle.

In the end, I believe this group of seniors will be considered MU greats who made 4 straight NCAA tournaments, losing in early rounds every time. I think they fall short of "all time" great status, but their "legend" may be enhanced with time. They've all had careers of which they can be proud.

[Hards Alumni]

Of everyone on the floor last night, if I could have one of them back for one more year it would be Wes Matthews.

[BrewCity83]

Of everyone on the floor last night, if I could have one of them back for one more year it would be Wes Matthews.

+1

Unleashed.

[MU_Warrior44]

Tough losses with high stakes are more torturous than just general suckiness.

Absolutely agreed. Isn't there a country song out there: "and what hurts the most, is being so close".

[bma725]

Absolutely agreed. Isn't there a country song out there: "and what hurts the most, is being so close".

Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most".  The relevant part would be:

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been

[79Warrior]

As much as this team and its fan base have been tortured the past 3 years, it has had many other misses in the past 32 years. Since winning the national title in 1977, Marquette has only made the Sweet 16 twice - 1994 and 2003. At least the graduating players went to the NCAA tournament all 4 years.

Stepping back, its actually hard to believe that the program that won more games than any team in the 70's except for UCLA has struggled so much the last 32 years for success in the NCAA tournament. Imagine Michigan State only getting to the Sweet 16 twice in 32 years after Izzo leaves, or the same thing at Syracuse after Boeheim.

Your point should answer all those who feel MU does not get the respect. The fact is we continue to fall short in the big games, and have done so for a long time.

[GO_MU02]

Of everyone on the floor last night, if I could have one of them back for one more year it would be Wes Matthews.

+1 

I was trying to imagine what Wesley's career could have been if he was unleashed sooner.  He was the one that I felt the worst for when yesterday's game was over.  And that was probably because he's the one I most enjoyed watching play this year and would love if there was one more year left for him.  But at the end of the day, I'm also really glad that DJ got to suit up and play.  It was only fitting for the 4 Amigos to go out on the court together.

[MU_Warrior44]

He was the one that I felt the worst for when yesterday's game was over.  And that was probably because he's the one I most enjoyed watching play this year and would love if there was one more year left for him. 

+1

[MUEng92]

[Quote from: GO_MU02 on Today at 11:31:45 AM
He was the one that I felt the worst for when yesterday's game was over.  And that was probably because he's the one I most enjoyed watching play this year and would love if there was one more year left for him.

quote author=Mike McCarter link=topic=14167.msg126878#msg126878 date=1237826570]
+1
[/quote]

I don't know how anyone could not feel worst for Lazar after the endline play.  Not only feeling bad for him, I was a little worried about him last night.  I hope he (and all of us) is able to gain perspective over time.

[Warrior]

"Re: Has any school been tortured more the past three years?"

                               NO

[Wareagle]

Memphis?  3 years in the Elite 8 with nothing to show for it.  Lost a national title due to free throws and Mario Chalmers miracle 3.  No national titles ever.

[MU_Warrior44]

Memphis?  3 years in the Elite 8 with nothing to show for it.  Lost a national title due to free throws and Mario Chalmers miracle 3.  No national titles ever.

Similarly in the last 3 years, UCLA with 3 straight Final Fours with no Championship. I'm sure those fans feel like they're tortured. I'm not saying that they should feel any better (or worse) than MU fans. The situations are just different since the starting expectations have been higher for UCLA in those years.

[NavinRJohnson]

It's Indiana. It's Indiana.

[StillAWarrior]

At least if we're tortured, that means we've got a competitive team.  I'd much rather be "tortured" and enjoy following our team than return to the teams of the late 80s (when I was there).  It sucks to expect to be disappointed and then have the team live up to your expectations.  As I've said, I'd much rather be "tortured."

My brother went to Gonzaga, and I think that team has been teasing its fans for years.  Despite the near-permanent "Cinderella" mystique around that program, the farthest they've gone is the Elite 8.  I know they'd love a final four one of these years.

[MUEng92]

Try being a Cubs fan for 33 years!  The last two (2) Marchs just opened the September/October scars a little earlier than normal.

You would think I would be immune to it by now.  Still hurts.