Dream Big! Elite 8 here we come. Bracket wide open for us

[Hoopaloop]

Dream Big

[Doris Burkes Thong]

Don't sleep on Florida...I had them beating Mizzou....Gators have great guards and Young in the middle.

[hilltopper03]

first gotta take care of business saturday

[tower912]

The bracket just opened up for a lot of people.    Take care of business tomorrow.    brewcity77 once again proved a genius with his constant beating of the Norfolk drum.   

[wadesworld]

As long as we come to play our game the sky is the limit.  I legitimately think we're the best team left in this bracket.  Having said that, we also could lose any of the games that we have left to play, including tomorrow.  That's why I love this bracket.  We had a legitimate shot to make it to the Final Four, but if we didn't show up to play for just 1 half even we're gone, even if it had been BYU.

Big opportunity in front of the team.  With Jae leading the way, I like where we sit.

[dwaderoy2004]

This certainly helps.  We're better than Florida, but if they get hot from three it'll be difficult because Young and Murphy down low will be problematic.

[Aughnanure]

Don't get cocky. Just take care of business.

[mviale]

Murray State is tough

[MUFC9295]

Don't get cocky. Just take care of business.

+1.   We didn't beat Mizzou.  Norfolk State did.   We have our own battle to win.  And this upset just reminds us we could be heading home if we don't bring our best each game.

Ring out ahoya!

[mu_hilltopper]

This thread just jinxed us.  Nice going.

[JoBo2756]

This thread just jinxed us.  Nice going.

Yeah, I agree. I'm a bit worried that the prospect of an open bracket will make us trip over ourselves tomorrow... let us not forget that Murray State is ranked ABOVE us in the ESPN poll... we are an 11 and they are a 9. Let's come out to play tomorrow, and worry about next week next week... sound good?

[dwaderoy2004]

let us not forget that Murray State is ranked ABOVE us in the ESPN poll... we are an 11 and they are a 9. Let's come out to play tomorrow, and worry about next week next week... sound good?

you weren't serious about any of this, right?

[jesmu84]

Fans can get as cocky as they want. As long as they players stay grounded - they're the ones that have to focus and play the game.

[GGGG]

Elite 8?  I think we can beat MSU.  I'm dreaming bigger!

[Mutaman]

Its wide open - all we have to do is beat a team that's 30-1 on their home court and then beat this guy Donovan. No problem. (I would hope Bobby Dandridge is happy tonight).

[hairy worthen]

Don't sleep on Florida...I had them beating Mizzou....Gators have great guards and Young in the middle.

Hell, dont sleep on norfolk state, they may beat fla, 

[Hoopaloop]

This thread just jinxed us.  Nice going.

No such thing.  Players play.  Coaches coach.  Fans are just fanatic.  Sticking to my guns.  Elite 8. Have confidence Hilltopper.  Dream Big

[DoggyDaddy]

Hope to see MU V MSU---a very realistic possibility. 
I went to both schools and follow each with love and respect.  A Jae v Dray match-up would be classic.  The winner will be POY and the school goes to the  Final Four worthy of the championship.   

[Goose]

This can be a season and team to really remember down the road. They have accomplished a lot but think their is still plenty in the tank. I really hope all the younger fans understand and appreciate how difficult winning in NCAA can be and not be satisfied with S16 or E8. You can always look back on a season down the road and put it in perspective. Right now is time to reach for the stars. As I keep saying somebody has to win the NCAA, why not us?

[Golden Avalanche]

Elite 8?  I think we can beat MSU.  I'm dreaming bigger!

I think MSU gets a toughie from SLU today and wouldn't be shocked if Dicky P finds a way to beat them.

Beating NSU three times would be incredibly difficult and if Florida is missing the 3 bomb (like Murray yesterday) they stall for points.

With all that, I've started making travel plans for the bayou.

[Hoopaloop]

I think MSU gets a toughie from SLU today and wouldn't be shocked if Dicky P finds a way to beat them.

Beating NSU three times would be incredibly difficult and if Florida is missing the 3 bomb (like Murray yesterday) they stall for points.

With all that, I've started making travel plans for the bayou.

Why is it difficult to beat a team 3 times?  Is there statistical evidence to back this up?  It is often expressed, but is it real?  We're better than Norfolk State.  That is no disrespect to the Spartans of NSU, but we are the better team and should beat them.

I often think the source of this is the Georgetown Villanova final from 1985.  It took a near perfect game from Villanova to win that game.  It was the exception and that can happen in the tournament, but not the rule. 

In the NFL, a team that has won the first two games against and opponent who also plays them in the playoffs wins 71% of the time.  In college basketball, it would not surprise me to see similar type of numbers.

[MerrittsMustache]

Since when is an Elite Eight appearance dreaming big for a 3 seed?

[MUfan12]

Since when is an Elite Eight appearance dreaming big for a 3 seed?

It is for a program that's only been there once in 35 years.

[wadesworld]

Why is it difficult to beat a team 3 times?  Is there statistical evidence to back this up?  It is often expressed, but is it real?  We're better than Norfolk State.  That is no disrespect to the Spartans of NSU, but we are the better team and should beat them.

I often think the source of this is the Georgetown Villanova final from 1985.  It took a near perfect game from Villanova to win that game.  It was the exception and that can happen in the tournament, but not the rule. 

In the NFL, a team that has won the first two games against and opponent who also plays them in the playoffs wins 71% of the time.  In college basketball, it would not surprise me to see similar type of numbers.

Agreed.  We are better than Norfolk State.  We are also better than Florida on an average day.  Florida does have a high ceiling, though.  It would be interesting to see if both teams brought their "A" game, who would come out on top in a game between Marquette and Florida.  If I'm being honest, I think Florida probably has more basketball talent on their roster, but Marquette plays harder, with more heart, and more consistently.

I've said all along I love the draw we got because there were no teams that we absolutely could not beat (like last year, UNC).  The downside to the bracket is that there were no guaranteed wins, either.  Iona and BYU both could've played a good game, taken us out of our game, and beat us.  Murray State was very good.  Have to show up every game.

That's why I don't necessarily say "Anything less than (insert round) is a disappointment."  Would I be disappointed in that I wish we had gone further if we lost in the Sweet 16?  I would.  But if we come out and play a really good game and Florida/Norfolk State is just better on Thursday, would I be mad?  No.  The beauty of the tournament...

[Golden Avalanche]

Why is it difficult to beat a team 3 times?  Is there statistical evidence to back this up?  It is often expressed, but is it real?  We're better than Norfolk State.  That is no disrespect to the Spartans of NSU, but we are the better team and should beat them.

I often think the source of this is the Georgetown Villanova final from 1985.  It took a near perfect game from Villanova to win that game.  It was the exception and that can happen in the tournament, but not the rule. 

In the NFL, a team that has won the first two games against and opponent who also plays them in the playoffs wins 71% of the time.  In college basketball, it would not surprise me to see similar type of numbers.

Did you see what Evans did from the first game to the second game? It was nearly perfect. He's a good coach and I'd imagine with his team playing their best ball of the season (assuming the win over Florida) the match-up would be that much more difficult.

We constantly talk about how splitting with the mirrors in conference is a good thing because expecting to beat a team twice seems foolhardy. Why wouldn't that be the case for three times, especially when it comes at the most pressure packed time of the season?