Raise your hand,

[brewcity77]

A couple years ago, a slightly-above-average Notre Dame almost won the league. They took it to the final day and came in 1 game back of Pitt. That was in a year where the Big East was collectively MUCH better than it is this year. If that team can contend for the league, there's no reason this one can't.

It's an outside shot, I agree. But Syracuse and Louisville play each other again and both have tougher schedules than we do. I think 14-4 or 15-3 will win the league this year. We have little margin for error, but if we hold serve at home and beat the teams we should beat on the road, we can be that team.

Not saying we will, just saying we can. We've already played one of the toughest stretches of our schedule and come out better than even the most optimistic of us predicted. And this team is still obviously getting better not just game to game but half to half. If I were handicapping, I'd have Syracuse as the favorite but would put us even money with Louisville for second simply because of the difficulty of their schedule.

[MUMonster03]

Even though it seems like every game this year is going to be super stressful, in my opinion, this is just another step in the right direction. We were predicted to be down this year and have a chance for a "down" year to still mean double digit conference wins,  a tourney appearance, and a chance to get to the 2nd weekend of the tourney with the right draw.

[dwaderoy2004]

Brew, I've been making the exact same case to some of my friends.  Our schedule sets up so nicely compared to Cuse, Ville and ND.  Only two "sure" losses left on our schedule, IMO.  Will we go 15-3?  Unlikely.  But as improbable as it seems in the big picture, going game by game on the schedule makes it seem entirely plausible.

[ChicosBailBonds]

RPI has us going 11-7.

RPI has UL going 15-3.  Syracuse going 15-3.  Cincinnati 11-7.  Pitt 12-6.  UCONN 10-8.  ND 10-8. 

No one else even at .500


So basically the RPI has us tied for 4th, which is a heck of a year.  The top two teams just seem to be that much better than us.  I don't buy into Pitt finishing 12-6, though they have a light schedule as well here on out.

[Golden Avalanche]

A couple years ago, a slightly-above-average Notre Dame almost won the league. They took it to the final day and came in 1 game back of Pitt. That was in a year where the Big East was collectively MUCH better than it is this year. If that team can contend for the league, there's no reason this one can't.

It's an outside shot, I agree. But Syracuse and Louisville play each other again and both have tougher schedules than we do. I think 14-4 or 15-3 will win the league this year. We have little margin for error, but if we hold serve at home and beat the teams we should beat on the road, we can be that team.

Not saying we will, just saying we can. We've already played one of the toughest stretches of our schedule and come out better than even the most optimistic of us predicted. And this team is still obviously getting better not just game to game but half to half. If I were handicapping, I'd have Syracuse as the favorite but would put us even money with Louisville for second simply because of the difficulty of their schedule.

That was one of our toughest stretches of the schedule? Ew. Three of those teams in bottom half and likely to stay there.

As for Louisville, when you discuss the difficulty of their schedule that becomes relative when you consider just how good a team Louisville is compared with the rest of the country. In a season of bland mediocrity, Ville is one of the four or five teams that is legitimately "elite" this season. (Though no one stands out historically)

Ville and Cuse are a level above this conference. The other 13 are battling for third place. No shame in that.

[dwaderoy2004]

You think Georgetown and UConn will stay in the bottom half?  I bet neither end up there.  And the first three games were arguably our toughest 3 game stretch in conference play.  The only other comparable stretch is Cuse, ND and one of the roadies on either side.

[DCWarriors04]

If we can avoid another bad loss (South Florida, Nova, DePaul, Providence, or Rutgers) , I can see this team going 12-6 or 13-5. Figured 12-6 was our ceiling prior to the Cincy game, but even with us losing I think its obvious this team is growing, coming together, and has a lot of fight in it.

With regards to UConn and Georgetown, UConn will easily be a top 8 team in the conference while Georgetown is a mystery right now.

[dwaderoy2004]

The loss of Whittington hurts G-town, but there is more than enough talent to finish in the top half.  JT3 will adjust and they'll be fine.

[The Equalizer]

You think Georgetown and UConn will stay in the bottom half?  I bet neither end up there.  And the first three games were arguably our toughest 3 game stretch in conference play.  The only other comparable stretch is Cuse, ND and one of the roadies on either side.

Georgetown yes--espeically with Whittington out.   UConn probably not--easier schedule and they get Georgetown at home.

I think its fair to say Georgetown will have a tough time in the followng games:
@ND
UL
MU
@UC
SU
@SU
They need at least one of these six to have any shot at climbing above .500.

Then, look at the rest of the schedule:
@UConn, @Villanova, Rutgers, @Rutgers, DePaul, St. Johns and Seton Hall.  I don't think they'll sweep these games--one or two losses are likely.

So .500 at best, and more likely a losing record.

I think its too soon to say the first three were our most difficult stretch--it may turn out the last five could be more challenging. 

[dwaderoy2004]

Yeah...Georgetown will never recover.  Good call.

[brewcity77]

So I was making dinner tonight and as I got a beer out of the fridge, I had a vague memory of a thread from a couple months back where Chicos said...

Yup, of course it cuts both ways.  It also means the margin for error is small with this team. My comments were almost verbatim to what Buzz, himself, said.  The line is very thin.  If that makes me a negativo then I guess Buzz is a negativo...or maybe it makes us both merely observant of what has occurred.  I'm opting for the latter.

If we win the conference, I'll buy a case of beer to Brew.  That's a bold pick and he would deserve something for that pick. I don't see us anywhere close to the class of UL or Syracuse and think too many potential losses are out there in other games.

I guess my question is...does sharing the conference title count?

[MU82]

So I was making dinner tonight and as I got a beer out of the fridge, I had a vague memory of a thread from a couple months back where Chicos said...

I guess my question is...does sharing the conference title count?

Absol-frickin-lutely!

Pay up, Chicos!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

So I was making dinner tonight and as I got a beer out of the fridge, I had a vague memory of a thread from a couple months back where Chicos said...

I guess my question is...does sharing the conference title count?

Absolutely.  I pay my bets.  You picked it.

What's your flavor of choice?

[tower912]

Georgetown did slightly better than .500 too. 

[🏀]

Absolutely.  I pay my bets.  You picked it.

What's your flavor of choice?

Case of Natural Ice 40s for the Firehouse, right?

[brewcity77]

I'm generally a fan of local stuff...glancing at a few California local brewery websites, would you be able to get ahold of any of Russian River Damnation, Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale, or Firestone Walker Solace? Any other Belgian style local would be great too. I don't need a case, either, a 6-pack would more than suffice.

I'll PM you my address

[keefe]

I'm generally a fan of local stuff...glancing at a few California local brewery websites, would you be able to get ahold of any of Russian River Damnation, Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale, or Firestone Walker Solace? Any other Belgian style local would be great too. I don't need a case, either, a 6-pack would more than suffice.

I'll PM you my address

The Damnation is an excellent choice. Look no further.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm generally a fan of local stuff...glancing at a few California local brewery websites, would you be able to get ahold of any of Russian River Damnation, Lost Abbey Red Barn Ale, or Firestone Walker Solace? Any other Belgian style local would be great too. I don't need a case, either, a 6-pack would more than suffice.

I'll PM you my address

Trying to figure out how to ship this...win is easy, case of beer a bit of a challenge, but I'll find a way.   

[keefe]

Trying to figure out how to ship this...win is easy, case of beer a bit of a challenge, but I'll find a way.   

Have him give you the name of a nearby liquor/grocery store, call them and pay for a six of his choice over the phone. All he does is pick it up.

[4everwarriors]

Or just give Brew your credit card number and tell him to buy it himself.

[john31]

Get the name of a reputable retail establishment near Brew, call, make the purchase and have them deliver or he can pick it up the case. Go Warriors.

[Golden Avalanche]

,

[brewcity77]

Absolutely.  I pay my bets.  You picked it.

What's your flavor of choice?

Just to inform everyone...Chicos is indeed a man of his word. Got the first half of the beer shipment yesterday and will be sampling as soon as it gets chilled and the missus gets home. I will be happily raising a frosty mug to both Marquette's conference championship and Chicos tonight! Cheers!

[MU82]

Just to inform everyone...Chicos is indeed a man of his word. Got the first half of the beer shipment yesterday and will be sampling as soon as it gets chilled and the missus gets home. I will be happily raising a frosty mug to both Marquette's conference championship and Chicos tonight! Cheers!

On behalf of the rest of us, raise a glass to yourself, too.

You had the most positive outlook of anyone I've come across, and I'm happy you were right!

[ChicosBailBonds]

On behalf of the rest of us, raise a glass to yourself, too.

You had the most positive outlook of anyone I've come across, and I'm happy you were right!

Exactly....that was a good call by Brew...a great call to make that prediction.