If you think we are NIT bound...

[tower912]

Then it is time to play Ewill more and play JC as much as he can tolerate.     Start working toward next year.   Tell EWill every time he ISN'T aggressive with and to the ball, he comes out.    Start JC with Buycks and DJO and let Cubi and Mo come off the bench.     Take your lumps, accept the NIT and start building.     Like a pro team that has been mathematically eliminated and calls up and starts playing a bunch of rookies. 

[madtownwarrior]

I agree to start playing for next year - what do we have to gain by keeping acker and cubi out there?   we don't win anyway and they graduate...  start DJO, Buckys, play Cadougan and Ewill - have acker and cubi take supporting roles...

next year will still be a struggle - no experienced big men, lose Hayward to graduation, will have essentially a freshman at the point - could be another long year...   

[mugrad99]

you play the players who give you the best chance to win. Period. Last time I looked we only have 4 losses in the Big East. Still plenty of games to build a resume to make the NCAA.

How do you explain your rationale to the seniors, or any future seniors? Can you see Buzz saying, "Sorry, Lazar, but since we might not make the NCAA this year, I am going to play players who are not ready, so we will be better (maybe) next year".

[tower912]

Indeelaw, I was putting this out there to all the posters who think the season is over and that it is time to take JC off of the table.    I think there is a long way to go and still think 20 wins  (getting 1-2 in the BEast tourney) is possible.     Just tossing another angle out there.

[TheButlerDidIt]

I may be crazy thinking that this could happen, but if we go 10-2 (stealing one from Cuse/Uconn and going 2-1 on the late season road trip against Cincy/Hall/SJU), we will be in.

I am eternally optimistic, I will get laughed at, but this is my fandom.

[Jacks DC]

I may be crazy thinking that this could happen, but if we go 10-2 (stealing one from Cuse/Uconn and going 2-1 on the late season road trip against Cincy/Hall/SJU), we will be in.

Not impossible, but this also assumes a sweep of home games, including Pitt, L'Ville and ND to end the season. 

However if we are a bubble team at the end of the season, close losses to tournament teams will be viewed favorably.  No one has blown out MU and contrary to what some people say, there IS a difference between a close loss on a buzzer beater and a 15 point loss in the eyes of the committee.  The problem is that MU is running out of chances to get "statement" wins.

[ecompt]

If we go 10-2 the rest of the way Buzz will immediately be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

[Jacks DC]

If we go 10-2 the rest of the way Buzz will immediately be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

And Marquette will be looking to hire his replacement...

[mug644]

Not impossible, but this also assumes a sweep of home games, including Pitt, L'Ville and ND to end the season. 

However if we are a bubble team at the end of the season, close losses to tournament teams will be viewed favorably.  No one has blown out MU and contrary to what some people say, there IS a difference between a close loss on a buzzer beater and a 15 point loss in the eyes of the committee.  The problem is that MU is running out of chances to get "statement" wins.

I would've agreed with that thinking if we didn't have such a bad loss (before yesterday the worst loss was NC St). I fear that this was a "statement" loss.

[NersEllenson]

I would've agreed with that thinking if we didn't have such a bad loss (before yesterday the worst loss was NC St). I fear that this was a "statement" loss.

You do realize NC State just beat Duke last night by 14, correct? 

[ATWizJr]

If we go 10-2 the rest of the way Buzz will immediately be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

And monkeys will fly out my butt.

[Big Daddy Z]

I think NIT is where we are headed and I also think they will match us up against IU in the secound round...where not sure but @ Bloomington is a real possibility.

[mug644]

You do realize NC State just beat Duke last night by 14, correct? 

Right. That why I say our bubble status looked pretty good until the loss to DePaul. Unless Depaul turns around and beats Syracuse by 14.

Certainly the DePaul loss hurts more than either the close losses or the G'town win.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think NIT is where we are headed and I also think they will match us up against IU in the secound round...where not sure but @ Bloomington is a real possibility.

I'd be stunned if IU makes the NIT, they are still a year away....but then again, they are up to 3-2 in conference play after tonight, so who knows.