Lunardi: 1/15

[brewcity77]

I know...way too early to put anything more than a grain of salt into anyone's Bracketology, but I saw Joe Lunardi's today and immediately thought "I'd love that..."

Marquette as an 8-seed against 9-seed Oklahoma State, winner gets Indiana. I'd love that for two reasons: first, it'd be the Tanned Tommy vs Buzz matchup so many have wanted on here for the past 5 years. Second, and more important, I feel fairly confident we'd win. The game is in Lexington (per Lunardi's bracket), and while the Kentucky faithful have little love for Marquette, I think they have even less for Indiana. We'd have a pro-Marquette crowd, and if there's one thing Crean's Indiana teams have demonstrated over the past two years it is that they wilt away from Assembly Hall.

After that, take out Missouri in the Sweet 16 (revenge game) and Buzz would be into the Elite 8 for the first time in his career. A Marquette fan can dream...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

Also...

7 Big East Teams in:

1-seed Louisville
2-seed Syracuse
5-seed Cincinnati
5-seed Notre Dame
8-seed Marquette
10-seed Georgetown
10-seed Pittsburgh

5 C7+I5 Teams in:

3-seed Creighton
4-seed Butler
6-seed VCU
8-seed Marquette
10-seed Georgetown

Next Four In includes St. Louis

[Pakuni]

I know...way too early to put anything more than a grain of salt into anyone's Bracketology, but I saw Joe Lunardi's today and immediately thought "I'd love that..."

Marquette as an 8-seed against 9-seed Oklahoma State, winner gets Indiana. I'd love that for two reasons: first, it'd be the Tanned Tommy vs Buzz matchup so many have wanted on here for the past 5 years. Second, and more important, I feel fairly confident we'd win. The game is in Lexington (per Lunardi's bracket), and while the Kentucky faithful have little love for Marquette, I think they have even less for Indiana. We'd have a pro-Marquette crowd, and if there's one thing Crean's Indiana teams have demonstrated over the past two years it is that they wilt away from Assembly Hall.

I'd venture to guess a lot of IU faithful would be snatching up seats in Lexington, which is only about three hours from Bloomington. That would be a pro-IU crowd, for sure.
Don't necessarily hate the matchup, but would be very worried about how MU contends with Zeller.

[brewcity77]

I'd venture to guess a lot of IU faithful would be snatching up seats in Lexington, which is only about three hours from Bloomington. That would be a pro-IU crowd, for sure.
Don't necessarily hate the matchup, but would be very worried about how MU contends with Zeller.

Depends a lot on who else is playing there. If Louisville is also a #1 seed, I think they'd have more Cardinals fans that would cheer for Marquette in the house than Indiana fans. And I can't explain IU's road woes or why they are so much worse away from home, but it's well-documented that Assembly Hall seems to be the best home-court advantage in the country and that IU is a fairly average team away from home.

[jficke13]

What this says to me is that the computers/bracket projection does not agree with our #25 ranking. Keep winning and push that seed higher.

[Benny B]

I'd venture to guess a lot of IU faithful would be snatching up seats in Lexington, which is only about three hours from Bloomington. That would be a pro-IU crowd, for sure.
Don't necessarily hate the matchup, but would be very worried about how MU contends with Zeller.

Agreed on both points.  Additionally, Kentucky fans will be busy watching their own games.  When they're not, don't forget that MU has bounced KY from the tournament the last three times they've faced off.  Sure, IU beat KY last year, but that didn't keep them from winning the title.  All of this mixed in with some of the old folks who might still remember the "distaste" that Al had for Adolph, and I have a hard time seeing any KY-friendlies for MU.

The Louisville factor, though, is quite intriguing.  UL fans may not be vocal for MU, but there is not a chance any of those folks root for IU.

[MerrittsMustache]

Debating the crowd make-up of a hypothetical game 2 months in advance. This is why I enjoy message boards 

[dwaderoy2004]

What this says to me is that the computers/bracket projection does not agree with our #25 ranking. Keep winning and push that seed higher.

Pretty darn close actually.  If we're the highest 8 seed, then we're number 29 on the S-curve, which I think is about where we are ranked in the Coaches poll.  That UWGB loss may very well be dropping us a seed line at this point, but will quickly become irrelevant if we keep winning.

[Benny B]

Debating the crowd make-up of a hypothetical game 2 months in advance. This is why I enjoy message boards 

Plenty of hours to fill with inane discussions between now and March.  How else are we supposed to maintain sanity?

[MU82]

I'd rather be an 11 or 12 seed than an 8 or 9.

Hate being an 8 or 9.

[brewcity77]

I'd rather be an 11 or 12 seed than an 8 or 9.

Hate being an 8 or 9.

I think we'll more likely be a 4 or 5.

[Benny B]

Best seeds if you're not a 1 or 2:

3, 6, 11 or 14.  Best chance at getting to the FF without having to play a #1 seed, IMO.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I don't want to play Crean because I hate hearing "Marquette" uttered from his mouth and I don't want to hear him try to rehabilitate his image. He's such a dick. He is the absolute worst person in sports.

[EnderWiggen]

He is the absolute worst person in sports.

So, there's this guy named Lane Kiffin....

[Bocephys]

So, there's this guy named Lane Kiffin....

and Jerry Sandusky...

[JTBMU7]

Best seeds if you're not a 1 or 2:

3, 6, 11 or 14.  Best chance at getting to the FF without having to play a #1 seed, IMO.

exactly. our 11 seed two years ago was a great draw. stay out of the 8-9/7-10 at all costs. not sure we can get a 14 seed as 13 and above are for AQs? but im not sure on the rules now that there are the 4 play-in games. 

i think their ceiling is 4 this year, hoping for/expecting a 6.

[🏀]

and Jerry Sandusky...

and Lance Armstrong...

[bilsu]

I would hate a matchup with Indiana, unless we win.

Only one team does not lose in NCAA tournament and I would not want to lose to a team I hate to see win.

[Pakuni]

and Lance Armstrong...

and OJ Simpson ...

[dgies9156]

and OJ Simpson ...

and Digger Phelps

[madtownwarrior]

Hilarious - what hotel do you think the team would stay at?

Debating the crowd make-up of a hypothetical game 2 months in advance. This is why I enjoy message boards 

[real chili 83]

and Digger Phelps

And the horse he rode in on.