want to feel better about our loss to LSU?

[ecompt]

Pitt lost to Wagner tonight. AT HOME.

[nyg]

That was unreal.  Pitt looked terrible and that is probably their worst home loss in that arena. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Gibbs stat line:  5-16 FG, 1-7 on treys, 1 assist and 5 turnovers.  Is Jaimie trying to get in with Pappa Hurley with this stinker?

[MUMac]

While I would rather have beaten LSU, I don't feel bad about it.  I had thought that game would be like the NCST game a few years back.  Escape and survive.  Unfortunately, we did not on Monday.  Not the worst thing that could happen, though.

Still, I would rather laugh at Pitt's loss then take consolation in it!

[nyg]

An away loss at LSU cannot even be compared to a home loss to Wagner.  What midwest team could be compared with Wagner? 

[🏀]

The Hurley's will be tough to deal with in the Big East in a couple years.

[MUMac]

An away loss at LSU cannot even be compared to a home loss to Wagner.  What midwest team could be compared with Wagner? 

St. Norbert?

[77ncaachamps]

St. Norbert?

UW-Parkside.

[MUMac]

UW-Parkside.

St. Norbert is similar in size to Wagner.  Both private.  The only difference is St. Norbert is not D1.  Neither, though, is Parkside.

[MU B2002]

Per Kenpom Wagner is rated higher than 5 BEAST teams before that game. 

[4everwarriors]

Alverno?

[77ncaachamps]

Wagner has ~2500 students.

Presbyterian has ~1300 (full D1 status '14-'15)
Wofford has ~1500
Mount St. Mary's (MD) has ~2100
Lafayette has ~2400
St. Francis (PA) has ~2400
Holy Cross has ~3000
Evansville has ~3000
Furman has ~3000
St. Mary's (CA) has ~3900
Butler has ~4500
Norfolk State has ~5400

[mileskishnish72]

Also enjoyed seeing Huggins lose - it's easy to root against WVU, Pitt & Syr.

[brewcity77]

Every first loss is tough, but losing on the road to a high-major isn't going to be very damning to us. Our loss isn't as bad as the losses this week by Kansas, Xavier, or Pittsburgh.

LSU is looking a lot better...they're now 9-3 and will end up 10-3 in non-conference. Also, Coastal Carolina and Southern Alabama aren't looking as bad of losses as they did a month ago. If they can go 8-8 or better in the SEC, they'll have a chance to make the tournament.

[bilsu]

One thing that I always wondered about is how much health plays into these games. It would seem to me it would make a large difference in how your team plays if all five starters are healthy versus  having all five starters having a cold.

[patso]

Wagner generally has a good basketball school getting NY and NJ second tier players

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Wagner is also coached by the Hurley brothers.

[Stronghold]

Also enjoyed seeing Huggins lose - it's easy to root against WVU, Pitt & Syr.

While I agree with this to some point, I also don't feel like the basketball programs really wanted to leave the Big East.  I know Boeheim didn't.

[Golden Avalanche]

While I would rather have beaten LSU, I don't feel bad about it.  I had thought that game would be like the NCST game a few years back.  Escape and survive.  Unfortunately, we did not on Monday.  Not the worst thing that could happen, though.

Still, I would rather laugh at Pitt's loss then take consolation in it!

I think that's the prevailing opinion upon reflection. The issue, as I see it, is they clearly had the opportunity to win the game and it could be fairly written that they lost an edge after the first five minutes. That was the most troubling sign in my eyes and one I have seen in most every game in December.

Further thought, if Otule indeed does return this season then MU will have to be sure to trumpet that they played a stretch of games without him in the middle of the season. We all know it's taken under consideration for NCAA berths and seeding.

By the way, along with others in this thread, Wagner is a very good team. No shock they beat Pitt.

[The Maestro]

Not sure how many people know that Wagner's previous coach was Mike Deane and he won 5 games his last season there.