Facing a #1

[wojosdojo]

I know most of you guys were hoping to try to avoid a 8/9 seed but I don't think we will. Most likely we'll pull off a close game against Uconn or St Johns. Therefore if we beat Nova and lose to 'Cuse were likely to be a 7. However I would not mind getting a 8/9 seed because I want the chance for MU to face a #1 seed after all the doubt and crap these guys get. I know there's work to be done, but if, if we could beat that 1 seed it just may show people wrong. We've shown that we can play with anyone in the nation, and that's what makes these guys special.

[Josey Wales]

I really don't want to watch acker try to guard wall.

[MUBurrow]

thats an interesting point though, would you rather have to deal with Aldrich against KU or Wall against UK?

[GregClausenForever]

thats an interesting point though, would you rather have to deal with Aldrich against KU or Wall against UK?

I'd rather we faced Alridch and just use the double-down technique that shut down Samuels and Gody in the last couple games.

I want Duke if we get to the second round. 

[Markusquette]

We haven't faced a big guy the caliber of Aldrich yet, but I definitely think we have played some guards comparable to Wall right now at the college level.  I definitely think we would, fare better against a team with a top-flight guard than a big guy.....oh wait, UK has Cousins, Patterson and Bledsoe and KU has Collins, Henry and Taylor.  

Beating a #1 is hard, especially without a Wade, but you never know what can happen.  Syracuse has a hell of a team as does Nova and WV, and we stayed with all of them (should have won at least 2).

[jaygall31]

Kentucky is the very last time I'd want to play. Period.

[T.V. Diener 34]

UK has Cousins and Patterson.... it's a little harder to double down with two very strong big men as compared to solely Samuels.  Also, obviously UK's guard play is much stronger than Louisville's.  Out of the possible #1 seeds that I'd be happy about playing against, UK is at the very bottom.

[SacWarrior]

I gotta be honest, unlike all of you I would be more than willing to play as an 8/9. No matter how we do (barring a Big East championship) there's no way we're getting past the 7 seed maybe. Meaning our chances at the 8 or 9 seed are outstanding. Now I would love to play a meaningful game, because I think this team has the bad habit of playing down to opponents. If we face a 10 or 11, then it would be the St. Johns or Depaul games all over again, where we need to eek out a win (or loss) in the final seconds. I would much rather have the team realize the tough competition of an 8 or 9 seed.

And the only way this team is making the papers (which I realize is not the goal at all) is to beat a 1 seed. If Marquette offs a one seed then they instantly become media darlings and everyone knows where and who we are again. Beating a 1 seed isn't even completely unheard of for this team, we've played with and been in every single game this year. I think we could beat Syracuse or West Va on a neutral court, and this team plays harder and works tougher than any MU team I've seen in years. Also if we lose to a one seed then we avoid the upset of losing to like a 14+ seed.

Now if I could pick a seed I would definitely stay away from the 8/9 game, but I also have no problem with the seed if that is where we end up.

[4everwarriors]

You guys are nuts. Any of the #1 seeds, yet to be determind, I know, will pick us up, chew us up, spit us out, and hide the excrement.

[hairy worthen]

You guys are nuts. Any of the #1 seeds, yet to be determind, I know, will pick us up, chew us up, spit us out, and hide the excrement.

What in the last 30 games makes you think that will happen? What is our largest margin of defeat? villanova, West Virginia and Syracuse all on the road are pretty good teams. I agree both Kansas and Kentucky would be bad matchups, but I think MU would be competitive. Wouldn't want to play any #1 seed but if we can stay away from Kansas or Kentucky it might be OK

[GoldenWarrior]

Insane to say you'd rather play a 1 seed than any other... I wanna make it as deep into the tourney as possible and we have the best odds of doing that by avoiding the 1 seeds.  I think we could hang with those teams, but would MUCH rather choose to face a 3, 4, 5, etc...

[GGGG]

I'd rather we faced Alridch and just use the double-down technique that shut down Samuels and Gody in the last couple games.

Kansas is much, much more skilled at the other positions than Louisville or ND are.  You can double down on Aldrich all you want, but that is just going to eventually lead to trouble elsewhere. 

[goodgreatgrand]

What in the last 30 games makes you think that will happen? What is our largest margin of defeat? villanova, West Virginia and Syracuse all on the road are pretty good teams. I agree both Kansas and Kentucky would be bad matchups, but I think MU would be competitive. Wouldn't want to play any #1 seed but if we can stay away from Kansas or Kentucky it might be OK

We were fown by 17 with 4 minutes to go in the Syracuse game. If you watched the entire post-game presser, Boeheim said his team essentially gave up because they had such a commanding lead. In post-season play, that won't happen.

[MU83]

Losing to Uconn  in the first round and dropping to a 10, 11, or 12 seed may be the best case scenario long term.  If we win the first game, we get a 2, 3, or 4 seed in the second round.  Looking at those teams, we may have a chance to make it to the second weekend.

[hairy worthen]

We were fown by 17 with 4 minutes to go in the Syracuse game. If you watched the entire post-game presser, Boeheim said his team essentially gave up because they had such a commanding lead. In post-season play, that won't happen.

Agreed, but that was also at Syracuse, a very difficult team to play on the road especially for MU.  Buzz also said the team didn't execute in that game, therefore the hair growing, also coming off a tough loss at DePaul.

Theoretically we will be playing on a neutral court. I just think with the toughness that this team has and the intensitiy they play at, it will be hard for any team to blow them out. Having said that, would not want to play any #1 seed in the second round.

[chapman]

Win and worry about it later.  Given the rest of the field I'm convinced we will likely be stuck at an 8 or 9 whether we lose on Wednesday or if we win one or two this week.

[mumike22]

Just looking at the teams that we could face in the 2nd round. Based on the Bracket Project's (http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm) current projections we can eliminate many of the 1/2 seeds already

Kentucky - most likely will play in Milwaukee
Syracuse - can't play in 2nd round
West Virginia - can't play in 2nd round
Villanova - can't play in 2nd round

Ohio State/Purdue - Winner of Big Ten will most likely play in Milwaukee as a 2 seed

Most likely opponents:
Duke 
Kansas State
Kansas
Purdue/Ohio State

[buckchuckler]

At this point, I'd say bring on Purdue.  Or Kentucky, it would be great to see Lazar put up a triple double on them. 

[GGGG]

Just looking at the teams that we could face in the 2nd round. Based on the Bracket Project's (http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm) current projections we can eliminate many of the 1/2 seeds already

Kentucky - most likely will play in Milwaukee
Syracuse - can't play in 2nd round
West Virginia - can't play in 2nd round
Villanova - can't play in 2nd round

Ohio State/Purdue - Winner of Big Ten will most likely play in Milwaukee as a 2 seed

Most likely opponents:
Duke 
Kansas State
Kansas
Purdue/Ohio State

All of these teams are significantly better than any team we have beaten this year.

[MU B2002]

All of these teams are significantly better than any team we have beaten this year.

True, but all have lost to "inferior" teams.  Gotta love the dance. 

[MountainCreekHouse]

I'll tell ya one thing, every single #1 seed hopes theyll play anyone but us in the second round.

[GGGG]

I'll tell ya one thing, every single #1 seed hopes theyll play anyone but us in the second round.

Really?  Why? 

[MountainCreekHouse]

because we are a SLEEPER. they can smell it

[Hards Alumni]

Really?  Why? 

because of our ability to shoot the 3... and we don't get blown out.

we are a nightmare matchup for the top teams in that respect.

[GGGG]

Your dictionary of sports cliches is getting quite the workout.  However, I don't think the potential #1 seeds are all that worried about a team whose best victory is against Xavier.  I'm not saying we can't beat them, but to think that they are worried more about Marquette than "anyone else" is pretty silly.