Honestly Marq does not deserve to be in the NCAA Tourney

[ChicosBailBonds]

Threads like this just piss me off. Maybe if you said "deserves to be on the bubble" I would be ok with that. But how can you say a team that has played our schedule and is still 9-9 in conference with 4 guys that played D1 minutes last year does not belong in the tournament.

Some fans seem like they think MU is a program with the caliber of Duke or UNC, based on how hard they are on Buzz and this team. With this schedule the season was never going to be pretty, much less a cake walk. Regardless of Gonzaga's ranking, this team does not have a bad loss and has beaten 4 teams that seem to be locks for the tournament and has played over half of the current top 25.

I get it that we don't like to lose, but come on.

Do you think the committee cares one lick whether 4 guys played D1 minutes last year? 

I don't think any fans here believe MU is of the Duke, UNC flavor except for those that honestly think a kid like Tokoto should choose us over one of those schools...they're just delusional fans, but they don't think we're at that level.  They argue that kids will get more playing time at MU than sit on the bench at Duke or UNC.

The committee will decide soon enough. MU now needs to beat a Seton Hall team on the road, for their senior day to blunt any doubt.  It's a shame that it has to come to this, but if MU loses at the Hall, imagine the pressure in that first round BET game.  Better take care of business this Saturday to end any speculation.

[GGGG]

We are what we are...the 11th best team in the BE and a bubble teams that is likely in with at least one more win.  If we dont get in even with that, it would be hard for me to argue with the NIT.

[willie warrior]

It's simple... MU is a bubble team and every bubble team has reasons to be in the tourney and reasons to be left out.  It's a weak field so we have a shot.  I have this weird feel that we are going to hear about MU getting jipped and all the analysts saying "If you could have closed that game out against Louisville, you would be in."

So now we must hang on the thought that it is a weak field this year and we have a shot. How about the thought that we are weak this year also, sliding in the wrong direction, and need to upgrade substantially for the future.

[Dawson Rental]

Willie, remember that every junior and senior on this year's team is a JUCO transfer, recruited by necessity because Crean's 2007 class was poor and we lost 2008's recruits when Crean left.  The relative success of the last couple of years can mask the fact that Buzz has been patching together a roster.  With three of Buzz's recruiting classes represented on the roster next year we'll get our first look at whether Buzz is building a Big East caliber program.  I think he is.

[mikem91288]

We still have a chance to go 10-8.

"with 4 guys that played D1 minutes last year"

Our lack of experience won't and shouldn't be a factor in whether we make the tournament.

Yes, I meant to say 10-8. But, I am not saying the selection committee will look at our lack of experience I am saying people need to look at the whole picture when starting threads that say we don't deserve to make the tournament. My point is I do think we deserve to make the tournament, we have had a solid year with lots of new guys that have not been down this road before.

[ATWizJr]

Yes, I meant to say 10-8. But, I am not saying the selection committee will look at our lack of experience I am saying people need to look at the whole picture when starting threads that say we don't deserve to make the tournament. My point is I do think we deserve to make the tournament, we have had a solid year with lots of new guys that have not been down this road before.

do you think 9-9 gets us in?

[mikem91288]

Do you think the committee cares one lick whether 4 guys played D1 minutes last year? 

I don't think any fans here believe MU is of the Duke, UNC flavor except for those that honestly think a kid like Tokoto should choose us over one of those schools...they're just delusional fans, but they don't think we're at that level.  They argue that kids will get more playing time at MU than sit on the bench at Duke or UNC.

The committee will decide soon enough. MU now needs to beat a Seton Hall team on the road, for their senior day to blunt any doubt.  It's a shame that it has to come to this, but if MU loses at the Hall, imagine the pressure in that first round BET game.  Better take care of business this Saturday to end any speculation.

Chicos, mostly agree with you. I do not think the selection committee cares one lick about our lack of experience, that was not what I was saying. I am saying that people that start threads saying we are not a tournament team are wrong, because we are! One of the toughest schedules in the nation, with 4 guys that played last year. The FANS need to remember this and realize we have no bad losses.

As for the Duke UNC comment. I am sick of hearing people say we suck. After 3 losses people were calling for Buzz to leave (not necessarily on this board, but I go to school here and hear all the craziness). Now all the talk about how we are a terrible team was back last night. I stand behind my statement that with these guys and this schedule and this conference. I am happy with 10-8 and controlling our own destiny here.

[CAINMUTINY]

Jduquaine....I feel you should be aware that some as$hole is signing your name to stupid posts.

[Dawson Rental]

Chicos, mostly agree with you. I do not think the selection committee cares one lick about our lack of experience, that was not what I was saying. I am saying that people that start threads saying we are not a tournament team are wrong, because we are! One of the toughest schedules in the nation, with 4 guys that played last year. The FANS need to remember this and realize we have no bad losses.

As for the Duke UNC comment. I am sick of hearing people say we suck. After 3 losses people were calling for Buzz to leave (not necessarily on this board, but I go to school here and hear all the craziness). Now all the talk about how we are a terrible team was back last night. I stand behind my statement that with these guys and this schedule and this conference. I am happy with 10-8 and controlling our own destiny here.

You're sounding like a voice of reason in the wilderness to me.  People forget that after Crean's poor 2007 class and the school losing the 2008 class when Crean left, Buzz had to patch a team together with JUCOs; ALL the seniors AND juniors on this year's team are JUCOs.  Next year, Buzz gets to work with three classes he recruited as freshmen.  That should give everyone a better idea of Buzz's value.  Although I do understand the concerns of those who think we can do better in a coach.  I mean Jerry Wainwright, formerly of DePaul, is available, no?

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I have grown weary of watching other teams run plays to free up their hot shooter while we dribble and pass around the perimeter until time gets critical. I don't see any adjustments. We have the talent but teams realise that if they pack in the zone we will frustrate ourselves

[Dawson Rental]

I have grown weary of watching other teams run plays to free up their hot shooter while we dribble and pass around the perimeter until time gets critical. I don't see any adjustments. We have the talent but teams realise that if they pack in the zone we will frustrate ourselves

All that running around the perimeter must be accomplishing something, Pomeroy has us at third in the BE (and 14th in the country) on offense.

[ErickJD08]

Getting back to the topic...

I kinda felt that MU doesn't deserve to be in after the game.  But then I watched College Basketball Final and I saw them talking about tournement hopes for Colorado, Minnesota, Memphis, and Maryland.  If those team were ("were is the operative word) still in the discussion for the Big Dance, we are definitely more worthy.

[TJ]

Getting back to the topic...

I kinda felt that MU doesn't deserve to be in after the game.  But then I watched College Basketball Final and I saw them talking about tournement hopes for Colorado, Minnesota, Memphis, and Maryland.  If those team were ("were is the operative word) still in the discussion for the Big Dance, we are definitely more worthy.

If Minnesota gets in at 7-11 in the Big 10 (if they beat PSU) ahead of us then I'll be pissed.

[brewcity77]

Getting back to the topic...

I kinda felt that MU doesn't deserve to be in after the game.  But then I watched College Basketball Final and I saw them talking about tournement hopes for Colorado, Minnesota, Memphis, and Maryland.  If those team were ("were is the operative word) still in the discussion for the Big Dance, we are definitely more worthy.

Exactly what I've been trying to say. Even with our high number of total losses, the bubble is ungodly soft. We have 4 top 25 RPI wins. We don't have any losses outside the top 50 RPI. And even with our projected RPI being around 53, that's still much better than teams like Alabama (87), Baylor (78), Richmond (66), Michigan (61), Gonzaga (67), and Colorado (79) that are said to be sitting on the bubble. The reason no one is talking about us being on the bubble is because the teams that are on the bubble are flat-out bad. The teams that are looking like 11 and 12 seeds simply don't have credentials that would make the tournament in years past. But this isn't years past, this is 2011.

Our resume is already good enough, and when teams like Minnesota and Baylor can be in the argument with sub-.500 conference records, and teams like Washington State and Tennessee can be right there with .500 records in those god-awful conferences, than how on God's green earth can so many people think that we are out with a .500 record in the unquestioned best conference in the country?

If we lose to Seton Hall on the road, we're still in. If we lose to USF or even DePaul in the Big East tourney, we're still in. All the doubters should actually look at the resumes of the teams that aren't just behind us, but so far back that they aren't even choking on our exhaust  because it already cleared before they got this far and yet are still making it in to the tournament. THE BUBBLE IS SOFT! WE ARE GOING TO THE NCAAS! DEAL WITH IT!

[bilsu]

They need two more wins to feel good on selection Sunday.  Win at Seton Hall and win one in the big east tourney.

That was my feeling before the Cincy loss. Now I am thinking differently as I do not believe the Big East will get 11 bids. I think they need two wins to remain on the bubble and three wins to get in for sure.

[brewcity77]

That was my feeling before the Cincy loss. Now I am thinking differently as I do not believe the Big East will get 11 bids. I think they need two wins to remain on the bubble and three wins to get in for sure.

*Sigh*

I feel like I'm shouting into a vacuum. Can someone who thinks we are on the outside looking in please, please, please give me an explanation as to why they believe that in which they actually explain which teams have resumes that are better than Marquette's? It's so easy to say "it won't happen" just because being a negative nancy is fashionable, but I have yet to see one person back up the argument with "we won't get in because of x, y, and z". The best anyone can come up with is the Selection Committee doesn't want to put 11 Big East teams in.

.500 or worse teams from the Big 12, PAC-10, SEC, and Big Ten are either projected in or on the bubble. All of those teams in question have at least one sub-100 RPI loss, and in most cases 2-4 of them. None of those teams have the number of top-25 RPI wins that we do. Bottom line, they do not have our resume.

Is it really too much to ask that someone give a REAL explanation instead of just "well, I don't think we'll get in because I'm a mopey moe after the Cincinnati loss"?

[NavinRJohnson]

As it is every year...if they deserve to get in, they will more than likley get in. If they don't they more than likely will not. You worthiness as always, is 100% relative to the rest of the teams around you, and has little to do with how good any individual thinks they are, or should be. When all is said and done will they be one of the that earns an at-large bid? Yes, i think they probably will.

If you think they are not good enough to get in, you need to list 68 teams that are clearly better than they are (of course, that's impossible since there are still dozens if not hundreds of games to be played before selections are made.).

After the UConn game, it was my belief that MU had to win one of its remaining 3 (or more) remaining games to avoid finishing losing 3 in a row to secure their spot. The fact that they lost last night does not change that. One more win, no matter where it comes, and I believe the only question on selection Sunday will be as to location and the number next to their name.

[LON]

*Sigh*

I feel like I'm shouting into a vacuum. Can someone who thinks we are on the outside looking in please, please, please give me an explanation as to why they believe that in which they actually explain which teams have resumes that are better than Marquette's? It's so easy to say "it won't happen" just because being a negative nancy is fashionable, but I have yet to see one person back up the argument with "we won't get in because of x, y, and z". The best anyone can come up with is the Selection Committee doesn't want to put 11 Big East teams in.

.500 or worse teams from the Big 12, PAC-10, SEC, and Big Ten are either projected in or on the bubble. All of those teams in question have at least one sub-100 RPI loss, and in most cases 2-4 of them. None of those teams have the number of top-25 RPI wins that we do. Bottom line, they do not have our resume.

Is it really too much to ask that someone give a REAL explanation instead of just "well, I don't think we'll get in because I'm a mopey moe after the Cincinnati loss"?

+1

I'd like to see some reasons as well.

I feel like we need to win @SHU, and at least one in the BET...so that we have some momentum going into the tournament, not to qualify for it.

[JD]

This is exactly my point, read the Subject line: "Honestly Marq doesn't deserve to be in the NCAA Tourney"  I'm not saying they wont, the reason they will be in is because of the soft bubble this year.  Hence my subject line "DOESN'T DESERVE"  If we need to hang our hat on the fact that other teams are horrible so we will make the tournament well thats a pathetic way to go about it. 

[buckchuckler]

Anybody who thinks different is oblivious to the facts.  I don't want to hear "Oh we'll we lost to only good teams, etc, etc"  I'm as big of a fan as they come, but we all need to be realistic.

What other bubble teams are more worthy?  Do any have more good wins than MU does?

[brewcity77]

This is exactly my point, read the Subject line: "Honestly Marq doesn't deserve to be in the NCAA Tourney"  I'm not saying they wont, the reason they will be in is because of the soft bubble this year.  Hence my subject line "DOESN'T DESERVE"  If we need to hang our hat on the fact that other teams are horrible so we will make the tournament well thats a pathetic way to go about it.

It's called reality, bud. Listen, if it was a field of 64, we'd be closer to the bubble, but still on the inside. If it was a field of 48, we'd probably be out, barring getting to the Big East tournament final. If it was a field of 32, we'd be out. But it's not. It's a field of 68. It's a soft bubble. And whether you like it or not, there will be 68 teams that the Selection Committee determines have done enough to DESERVE to make the tournament. 31 will go to conference champions. 37 will go to at-large teams. And right now, we are well within the range of at-large teams to get in.

I repeat, 4 wins over RPI top 25 teams. No losses to sub-50 RPI teams. A projected RPI of 53. A projected SOS of 30. It's good enough to get in most years, and this year will be no exception.

So I repeat. We are going to the NCAAs. Deal with it. I don't see why us going to the tournament is so upsetting to people. Isn't it supposed to be a good thing?

[JD]

It's called reality, bud. Listen, if it was a field of 64, we'd be closer to the bubble, but still on the inside. If it was a field of 48, we'd probably be out, barring getting to the Big East tournament final. If it was a field of 32, we'd be out. But it's not. It's a field of 68. It's a soft bubble. And whether you like it or not, there will be 68 teams that the Selection Committee determines have done enough to DESERVE to make the tournament. 31 will go to conference champions. 37 will go to at-large teams. And right now, we are well within the range of at-large teams to get in.

I repeat, 4 wins over RPI top 25 teams. No losses to sub-50 RPI teams. A projected RPI of 53. A projected SOS of 30. It's good enough to get in most years, and this year will be no exception.

So I repeat. We are going to the NCAAs. Deal with it. I don't see why us going to the tournament is so upsetting to people. Isn't it supposed to be a good thing?


I guess some people in this world are satisfied with just making the cut, or getting bounced out early in a first round.... Lol, That's something really to be proud of! Whooo Rah!!

[NYWarrior]

I guess some people in this world are satisfied with just making the cut, or getting bounced out early in a first round.... Lol, That's something really to be proud of! Whooo Rah!!

You can't win without a ticket.

[JD]

Cups half full right?!

[ChicosBailBonds]

So I repeat. We are going to the NCAAs. Deal with it. I don't see why us going to the tournament is so upsetting to people. Isn't it supposed to be a good thing?

It's a great thing....but I'm not as 100% certain as you are that we're lock city, especially if we lose on Saturday.  Projected RPI is now 60.1 and that's assuming a win.  A loss pushes it to 66...that is UGLY FUGLY territory.