Big east power rankings

[JTBMU7]

On espn has MU second and louisville 3, which isn't a huge surprise. But the segment leads off with this:

"To death and taxes, I add Marquette. The Golden Eagles are the one thing you can count on annually. A year after losing the Big East’s player of the year and league’s leading scorer (and they were two different people) Buzz Williams’ team is back again, tied atop the leaderboard with Syracuse. Despite seven consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, Marquette still somehow manages to sneak up on people.
Maybe we ought to start paying closer attention."

[jsglow]

Nice.

[RushmoreAcademy]

Death and Taxes.   Where was this writer when we were looking for new mascots?  Gold?  No. The Marquette Death and Taxes.   That can sell.

[Benny B]

Wow... we've officially become the UW of the Big East.

[LAMUfan]

Death and Taxes.   Where was this writer when we were looking for new mascots?  Gold?  No. The Marquette Death and Taxes.   That can sell.

things that you can rely on, expect to happen, etc.  you have to die, there will be taxes, and MU is going to be good 

[jficke13]

Wow... we've officially become the UW of the Big East.

you bite your tongue

[Windyplayer]

Wow... we've officially become the UW of the Big East.

A scrappy team that always defies expectations. I'll take that similarity between the two teams. That's as far as I'll go though.

[boyonthedock]

If this year holds, we will be the only team to make the NCAA tournament every year of the new big east. Which is pretty good, considering the teams we share a conference with.

[Tugg Speedman]

If this year holds, we will be the only team to make the NCAA tournament every year of the new big east. Which is pretty good, considering the teams we share a conference with.

With Pitt not making it last year, I thought we already achieved that distinction. 

[wardle2wade]

With Pitt not making it last year, I thought we already achieved that distinction. 

Yes, we did already have that distinction last year.  Pretty great stat.

If/when we make it again this year, Marquette will be the trivia answer to this question...  "When the Big East was a legendary super-conference, who was the only team to make it every year before it self-destruct?"

Also very noteworthy... as of today, MU is only 3 games back from Syracuse for best conf record since the start of the new Big East.  We are currently in 4th place... 2.5 games behind Louisville and 1 game behind Pitt.  Pretty amazing accomplishment considering all the talented Big East teams to come through over the years.  There are also still great opportunities to pick up more ground this season. 

There is something to be said for consistency at a high level.  Hats off to Buzz that we didn't even have a brief drop-off after the coaching switch and the resulting roster turnover.  Hard to believe that it was almost 5 years ago.

[TallTitan34]

With Pitt not making it last year, I thought we already achieved that distinction. 

But hey, they won the CBI last year. 

[Sunbelt15]

But with all the success, when do we start seeing the Final 4 of yesteryear.

[tower912]

When a trancendent player arrives or we get hot for 2 straight weeks.   It could be this year, it could be next, it could be two years from now....who knows?    VCU goes from being controversial even getting in to the final 4 because they got hot at the right time.     If, 7 weeks from now, all the pieces fall into place and the 3pt shots start falling at  a 40% clip, JWilson starts taking over games and everybody clicks, it could be us.   Right now, it is a long shot at best.    Injuries and luck plays a huge factor, too.  

[wardle2wade]

But with all the success, when do we start seeing the Final 4 of yesteryear.

Sunbelt15 - Genuine question, what screen name were you before this?  Thanks

[Sunbelt15]

Sunbelt15 - Genuine question, what screen name were you before this?  Thanks

Just a rookie. Why?

[RushmoreAcademy]

things that you can rely on, expect to happen, etc.  you have to die, there will be taxes, and MU is going to be good 

Yes, I understood the reference.... was just making a terrible joke.

[MU82]

Wow... we've officially become the UW of the Big East.

Gotta admit, I thought the exact same thing. I often underestimate the Badgers and they are almost always good. None of us likes being mentioned with the Badgers, but there is worse company to keep. I mean, better them than Northwestern, right?

[MU82]

When a trancendent player arrives or we get hot for 2 straight weeks.   It could be this year, it could be next, it could be two years from now....who knows?    VCU goes from being controversial even getting in to the final 4 because they got hot at the right time.     If, 7 weeks from now, all the pieces fall into place and the 3pt shots start falling at  a 40% clip, JWilson starts taking over games and everybody clicks, it could be us.   Right now, it is a long shot at best.    Injuries and luck plays a huge factor, too.  

Luck is HUGE. We had more than a little luck in 2003 and 1977. Need all that other stuff, but need the bounces probably more than anything else.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Luck is HUGE. We had more than a little luck in 2003 and 1977. Need all that other stuff, but need the bounces probably more than anything else.

Pomeroy has MU as the 26th Luckiest team.

[tower912]

Pomeroy has MU as the 26th Luckiest team.

Two shots go differently (Clarke, Thomas) and not only are we far luckier, we are ranked in the top 15.

[MU82]

Two shots go differently (Clarke, Thomas) and not only are we far luckier, we are ranked in the top 15.

Or, two shots go differently (Cadougan vs. UConn; Georgetown's Greg Whittington), and we're not even listed in others receiving votes. The what-if game is a useless exercise.

[tower912]

I agree that what-ifs don't accomplish a lot.   We have played a lot of close games.   We've about broken even in one possession/OT games.   We are very close to being top 15, we are very close to being a bubble team.  It is all in how you look at it.  

[Sunbelt15]

I agree that what-ifs don't accomplish a lot.   We have played a lot of close games.   We've about broken even in one possesion/OT games.   We are very close to being top 15, we are very close to being a bubble team.  It is all in how you look at it. 

Agree. A lose in Carrier Classic may have hurt. A missed prayer in the Butler game may have helped. It's basketball! Team confidence shows in post season.