MU's Big East Schedule Released

[ozmetal71]

If you were at either of the past two games at South Bend, you would know how ND regards MU.  It's not bitter, but the intensity is certainly there. 

ND and MU are both in a position to contend in the BE, so the rivalry will return to its 60s-80s prominence.

Also, I could give two poops about playing DePaul, and I live less than 45 minutes from the Allstate Arena.  I would much rather go see Marquette play ND than DePaul, and the same goes for Louisville.

When DePaul has some semblance of a consistent program and fan following, then perhaps the rivalry can approach the intensity of the MU-ND and MU-Louisville games.

[rocky_warrior]

The 2007 schedule has been updated on the wiki.

http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/men_s_basketball/2007

That page will be edited a ton over the next 90 days, as little bits and pieces of our schedule come out.

Dang you've been quick on these updates 'topper. Thanks!  I went there thinking I could add some new info, but everything was done except the Canada trip in Sept...

[Marquette84]

All I am saying is that historically, DePaul is a bigger rival. It's not even debatable. There's too much history to deny it.

Than Notre Dame?  You're absolutely nuts.  

Even when DePaul was GOOD Notre Dame was a bigger rival.

Name one MU/DePaul game--just one--that people talk about the same way they discuss Doc Rivers' half court game winner.  Or Novak's game winner a year ago?

Can you remember a classic end to any MU/DePaul games?  Do people talk about it decades later like they do these ND games?

Do people still hate Teddy Grubbs or Mark Aguirre the way they dislike Kelly Tripuka or Bill Laimbeer?  I don't think so.

Even in losses, people remember the Notre Dame games--David Rivers end-to-end layup with six seconds to go in the 80's.  The end of the home win streak in the 70's.  Hitting bottom with 10 1st half points at home under Bob Dukeit.  All memorable--decades later.  Because they came against ND.

Just mention Digger Phelps today and you can raise an MU fan's blood pressure by 10 points.   You don't even need to mention his last name.


Digger.



Digger Digger Digger.



There, I probably just sent 10 people into convulsions.



Just TRY doing that with Ray Meyer.  G'head.  Try.

Hey, people:  Ray.


 
Collective Response:  "Ray who?"  


Or Joey Meyer.  Or Pat Kennedy.  Nobody cares.  

Some rival, DePaul.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

[mu_hilltopper]

Indeed, the one thing we can learn and appreciate:  Rivalries are subjective and personal.   You can get some people to agree some of the time, but never, never never all people, all of the time.

I still think of the great games vs. Cincy, how they were our big conf game every year .. some will say our biggest rival is UL, ND, or DePaul.   

There is no right answer.  (Except DePaul.  That's a wrong answer.) 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

I think rivalries are often different for everybody. I mean, everybody has their favorite team to hate (mine are UofL and DePaul).

BUT, PRN, I find it funny that you think SJS is taking this too personally. I mean, this is from the guy who feels he has been personally wronged by his alma mater over and over again (logo, schedule, Crean's style, etc.)

[muarmy81]

All I am saying is that historically, DePaul is a bigger rival. It's not even debatable. There's too much history to deny it.

Than Notre Dame?  You're absolutely nuts.  

Even when DePaul was GOOD Notre Dame was a bigger rival.

Name one MU/DePaul game--just one--that people talk about the same way they discuss Doc Rivers' half court game winner.  Or Novak's game winner a year ago?

Can you remember a classic end to any MU/DePaul games?  Do people talk about it decades later like they do these ND games?

Do people still hate Teddy Grubbs or Mark Aguirre the way they dislike Kelly Tripuka or Bill Laimbeer?  I don't think so.

Even in losses, people remember the Notre Dame games--David Rivers end-to-end layup with six seconds to go in the 80's.  The end of the home win streak in the 70's.  Hitting bottom with 10 1st half points at home under Bob Dukeit.  All memorable--decades later.  Because they came against ND.

Just mention Digger Phelps today and you can raise an MU fan's blood pressure by 10 points.   You don't even need to mention his last name.


Digger.



Digger Digger Digger.



There, I probably just sent 10 people into convulsions.



Just TRY doing that with Ray Meyer.  G'head.  Try.

Hey, people:  Ray.


 
Collective Response:  "Ray who?"  


Or Joey Meyer.  Or Pat Kennedy.  Nobody cares.  

Some rival, DePaul.

The guy from college game day coached?  j/k I knew that but again this goes back to each different time period.  When I was at school we didn't even play notre dame (1998-2002) but Cincy was always a big game and just after I left UL was getting better since Pitino showed up so rivalries are relative because the same emotion you got from characters like Digger Phelps are the same emotions I got from Rick Pitino or Kenyon Martin.

[Marquette84]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

If I took this personally I would have said you're wrong because you're a hothead, Crean-hater who can't get over a 15 year old nickname change.

No, this time, I was strictly crictizing your obviously incorrect statement that DePaul is, and always will be, MU's biggest rival.  In reality, they aren't now and never were MU's biggest rival.

The most peculiar argument in this thread is when you say that  "its not even debatable" that DePaul is our biggest rival.

Well, sorry, but that IS debatable.  Notre Dame was and reamains a bigger rival than DePaul--for all the reasons I mentioned.  

I see that you didn't even name a single classic MU/DePaul memory!  

I rattled off a half dozen classic MU/ND moments without even thinking about it.  And everyone of age who read the thread can vividly remember each of those as well.  They're seared into our collective memory.  Unlike any DePaul moments.  

You would think if the MU/DePaul rivalry was as classic as MU/ND, you'd raise me by reminding me of a BETTER ending than Doc Rivers half-court shot.  Or a more gut-wrenching loss than ending an 81 game home court winning streak.

Now, you may personally have a thing for DePaul--who know, maybe you applied and they turned you down.  But some oddballs think Dayton is a huge rival as well.  Go figure.

If someone is going to name one team as MU's biggest rival through the years, there is only one possible candidate--Notre Dame.

[tower912]

If we went 1-30 this year but took down ND, the season would not be a total loss.   ND is  the longest, most bitter rivalry we have, even more than Wiscy.

[rocky_warrior]

ND is  the longest, most bitter rivalry we have, even more than Wiscy.

I completely agree - but I know this board will also go crazy around the Wisconsin game.  Though, I believe that's mostly because all the people in Wisconsin want to win the game for bragging rights - and avoid another year of UW-Nowhere fans claiming their team is better

[SGWarrior]

Not quite sure how to answer the question as to who is our biggest rival.  When I graduated in '03 I considered Cincy our greatest rival followed by DePaul.  I can't stand the mention of Huggins or Kenyon Martin and I consider the '02? upset of #2 Bearcats one of the best 'edge of your seats'/'crap your pants' games I've seen in person.  You also have to remember DePaul had a loaded lineup of Q Richardson, Bobby Simmons, Lance Williams, etc at the time.  While attending school we always heard grumblings of our rivalry with ND.  After playing them the past few years and witnessing the intensity of the crowd at the BC and Joyce Center I now consider ND our greatest rival.  'The Shot' was unbelievable, and there is not one other team on our schedule that I cannot wait to play.  Does anyone remember how Hangrody shoved and held Marquette at the Joyce Center last year on his way to his best game (ie fluke) game of the year?  I can't wait to show Hangrody and ND a much tougher and much more representative version of Marquette basketball this year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I have to agree with the DePaul sentiments...it's a good game, an important game but I wouldn't even list it in my top 5.  Maybe if they get good again.

Notre Dame
Louisville
Wisconsin
Pitt
Cincinnati

all are bigger games to me in terms of getting up for them.  Yes, tons of history with DePaul but you can't polish a turd and they have been a turd for most of the last 20 years.

[MUUWUWM]

The Cardinal's are down this year??......I'll take some of what you're smoking. Louisville at home or away will be really tough to beat.

[MUUWUWM]

I've been going to Marquette games for 45 years now....and DePaul was a big rival....but has slid down..way down in my opinion....I'd list them after Louisville, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, ND, and on and on, hmmmm probally close to the school  a bit east and north of us..

[SGWarrior]

So considering everything what is our record next year?  In the Big East? 

[ecompt]

Who knows at this point? I'd say off the top of my head we have very winnable home games against DePaul, USF, Seton Hall, Providence and Rutgers. Louisville, ND and Pitt are tossups, and Gtown will be very tough. I'd take anything around 5-4 on the road and be happy. 13-5 or 12-6 is very do-able, but...again, who knows?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

I think rivalries are often different for everybody. I mean, everybody has their favorite team to hate (mine are UofL and DePaul).

BUT, PRN, I find it funny that you think SJS is taking this too personally. I mean, this is from the guy who feels he has been personally wronged by his alma mater over and over again (logo, schedule, Crean's style, etc.)

I feel I have been personally wronged by "Crean's style?" That makes perfect sense.

[mu_hilltopper]

Generally, I think of the Bradley Center as a fortress.  I don't even look at the teams we play at home.  I don't care if we play Jesus' himself, we should win every BC game.  But we'll slip and lose one.  That's 8-1 at home.

On the road, 4-5, and you have a respectable 12-6.  Minimum.  And MU proved to be a very respectable road team last year .. should be closer to 14-4.

[ToddPacker]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

I think rivalries are often different for everybody. I mean, everybody has their favorite team to hate (mine are UofL and DePaul).

BUT, PRN, I find it funny that you think SJS is taking this too personally. I mean, this is from the guy who feels he has been personally wronged by his alma mater over and over again (logo, schedule, Crean's style, etc.)

I feel I have been personally wronged by "Crean's style?" That makes perfect sense.

You're the one who keeps harping on it...

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

SJS -- once again, you seem to take everything personally. The tone of your posts can best be described as peculiar.

I disagree with you for reasons I've mentioned above.

I think rivalries are often different for everybody. I mean, everybody has their favorite team to hate (mine are UofL and DePaul).

BUT, PRN, I find it funny that you think SJS is taking this too personally. I mean, this is from the guy who feels he has been personally wronged by his alma mater over and over again (logo, schedule, Crean's style, etc.)

I feel I have been personally wronged by "Crean's style?" That makes perfect sense.

Well, ok. I was having trouble putting all of your issues with coach Crean into a concise phrase. Nevertheless, you seem to take everything that MU and Coach Crean do very personally (not uncommon for alumni). BUT, then you poke at MU84 for doing the same thing when discussing rivalries with you.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The Cardinal's are down this year??......I'll take some of what you're smoking. Louisville at home or away will be really tough to beat.

He's referring to the St. Louis Cardinals I believe.

[spartan3186]

If i were to pick my home and homes based on the last two big east seasons they would be

1) Pitt
2) Louisville
3) Notre Dame
4) Georgetown

in that order

[Schoolyard]

To borrow from ESPN. Pitt is now but in reality it's so far down the list.

My top 5

Bucky
UL
Cinci
DePaul
ND

Go to a UW game and tell me it's not #1...You could be from The OC or Erie or Brookfield, it is the absolute most juiced game of the year.  Most other games come on in the second half of the game, Bucky is a war from tip.  And I'm from Chicago.

ND, please they could care less about us...I went to HS with a ton of ND kids, know a ton of ND older alums, we're on their radar as much as Air Force is, yeah we may play them but they don't care.  MU at SB is only a hot ticket b/c our Chicago presense makes it so.  Sure we love to beat them, but it's just b/c of our inferiority complex.

DePaul is big IMO b/c so many people are from families that grow up DU fans and then matriculate from MU.

Still for the past 10-15 years, its been UL & Cinci b/c conf makes it so.  To put Pitt in there is laughable, did you say Evansville in 1989?  Lets have some perspective people!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

To borrow from ESPN. Pitt is now but in reality it's so far down the list.

My top 5

Bucky
UL
Cinci
DePaul
ND

Go to a UW game and tell me it's not #1...You could be from The OC or Erie or Brookfield, it is the absolute most juiced game of the year.  Most other games come on in the second half of the game, Bucky is a war from tip.  And I'm from Chicago.

ND, please they could care less about us...I went to HS with a ton of ND kids, know a ton of ND older alums, we're on their radar as much as Air Force is, yeah we may play them but they don't care.  MU at SB is only a hot ticket b/c our Chicago presense makes it so.  Sure we love to beat them, but it's just b/c of our inferiority complex.

DePaul is big IMO b/c so many people are from families that grow up DU fans and then matriculate from MU.

Still for the past 10-15 years, its been UL & Cinci b/c conf makes it so.  To put Pitt in there is laughable, did you say Evansville in 1989?  Lets have some perspective people!

I agree with you completely about UW and ND. I think hardcore ND basketball fans would consider MU a rival... the only problem is there are about 12 ND hoops fans. All of their rivals come from football.

The UW rivalry is big because it's kind of like the civil war... it can divide places of business, high schools, even families. A lot of people claim some sort of "dual allegiance"... but for that one Saturday every year you have to pick one or the other and it's a war.

I disagree with a you a little re: PITT. I mean, Cincy was a good rivalry because they were obviously a great team that MU always seemed to be able to knock off. In reality that rivalry isn't that old and I think PITT is on it's way to becoming a Cincy like rival. There may not be a ton of history between MU and PITT... but ask any MU student and they will tell you that they HATE PITT.

I would consider DePaul a rival because in reality MU and DePaul are very very alike. I just hope DePaul never gets their act together, because if/when they do... that program could become very formidable.

[spartan3186]

First of all I am a current MU student so I have no idea what Evansville in '89 was like. However that is besides the point. If you re-read my post I Said "based on the last 2 BIG EAST season" those were the teams I would want home and homes against. I despise Pitt (this has been the case since far before I came to MU) but love having games against them. I did not include UW in that list because we can not have Big East home and homes against them.