If this is rebuilding......

[Lennys Tap]

The only people here trying to fool anyone are those who promote the fiction that were a bubble team or worse at the start of the year.

Your typical sandbagging has gotten worse over the years.  Now instead of just setting artifically low expectations up front, you now create non-existent low expectations after the fact.

My sandbagging prediction at the start of the year was that the experts said 7th and I expected better. Look it up, Mr Auditor. Anything more than that is well beyond your competence.

[The Equalizer]

My sandbagging prediction at the start of the year was that the experts said 7th and I expected better. Look it up, Mr Auditor. Anything more than that is well beyond your competence.

Instead casting more insults, you really should apologize for trying to pass of the lie that preseason the experts had us as a consensus bubble team. 

Even now you're trying to fudge. I already posted the links--the experts didn't say 7th--they had opinions that ranged from 4th place (Athlon) to 7th place (BE Coaches). 

Exactly - MU & Georgetown have CONTRIBUTED to many of those losses for the supposed "let down" teams.

Can we at least agree that MU had nothing to do with Louisville and Cincinnati fallling behind us? 

We can disagree on whether Syracuse or ND or Pitt were expected to have 5 or 6 losses at this point of the season.  But I think you'd admit that we had no part of moving ahead of UL and UC--that's all them playing below expectations.

The only other question I'll ask: How do you know our wins over Syracuse and Pitt were becuase we played above expectations, and not that Pitt and Syracuse played below expectations?   

[Lennys Tap]

SJS, you are one funny guy. My expectations every year of the Buzz era have been equal to or slightly higher than the coaches who coach and the writers who write in and on the Big East. Somehow in the bizarro world you inhabit this is considered sandbagging. You on the other hand routinely set expectations higher to much higher than those experts yet call that fair. LOL

[jmayer1]

The only other question I'll ask: How do you know our wins over Syracuse and Pitt were becuase we played above expectations, and not that Pitt and Syracuse played below expectations?   

How do you know the sky is blue and not just the lack of any other color?

[The Equalizer]

SJS, you are one funny guy. My expectations every year of the Buzz era have been equal to or slightly higher than the coaches who coach and the writers who write in and on the Big East.

Claiming that the experts called us "a consensus bubble team" when those experts in fact picked us to finish in a range from 4th to 7th is sandbagging. 

[The Equalizer]

How do you know the sky is blue and not just the lack of any other color?

Here's your answer:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html

Now, why don't you provide an answer to my question:  How can you be so sure that our wins over Pitt were due to us playing better than expected and not them underperforming.

[Pakuni]

Now, why don't you provide an answer to my question:  How can you be so sure that our wins over Pitt were due to us playing better than expected and not them underperforming.

Pitt was ranked in the preseason polls 32nd (AP) and 35th (coaches).
They're currently 23rd and 26th, respectively.
They seem to be playing slightly above expectations.
But maybe they magically play below expectations when facing Marquette, or whatever stupid thing you can think of next.

[cheebs09]

We've played a role in those two teams being behind us. If we don't win as many games as we have, those teams would be in front of us. It isn't all about head to head.

[hairy worthen]

Claiming that the experts called us "a consensus bubble team" when those experts in fact picked us to finish in a range from 4th to 7th is sandbagging. 

Again you are talking about preseason predictions. Early in the season after losses to Fla, and Green Bay people on this board and elsewhere were predicting NIT. You seem to have the time to do the research, go back and look at what people were saying around December 20th.   Go look at where we were in the polls.

The way the team came back to play well, ( for the most part) in conference play and is challenging for a Big East title is remarkable. If it wasn't remarkable Buzz wouldn't be in consideration for COY. They don't give that award out to coaches whose teams just meet expectations. For you to minimize the achievements the team has made to this point is just horse crap.

For the sake of argument let's say you are correct and people are sandbagging expectations as you say. So fricking what.  That is what fans do. Maybe you should become one for another team.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Again you are talking about preseason predictions. Early in the season after losses to Fla, and Green Bay people on this board and elsewhere were predicting NIT. You seem to have the time to do the research, go back and look at what people were saying around December 20th.   Go look at where we were in the polls.

The way the team came back to play well, ( for the most part) in conference play and is challenging for a Big East title is remarkable. If it wasn't remarkable Buzz wouldn't be in consideration for COY. They don't give that award out to coaches whose teams just meet expectations. For you to minimize the achievements the team has made to this point is just horse crap.

For the sake of argument let's say you are correct and people are sandbagging expectations as you say. So fricking what.  That is what fans do. Maybe you should become one for another team.

Not to be a dick, but it's Coach of the Year, not best coach since December 20th.

MU's early struggles count.

I think MU has exceeded expectations, this season isn't a miracle.

[jmayer1]

Here's your answer:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html

Now, why don't you provide an answer to my question:  How can you be so sure that our wins over Pitt were due to us playing better than expected and not them underperforming.

If MU goes 0-3 against Pitt and Syracuse, all 3 teams would be performing at the level you expected. Conference wins and losses are a zero sum game. If one team is underperforming, another has to be overperforming!!

Simple logic.

[Goose]

I agree early exits count a lot. This season has been surprise for everyone to some degree. Along with that surprise has come hard work and frustration for everyone. How we do next several weeks will determine how much this squad exceeded expectations. Jury is still out here.

[hairy worthen]

Not to be a dick, but it's Coach of the Year, not best coach since December 20th.

MU's early struggles count.

I think MU has exceeded expectations, this season isn't a miracle.

If you have to preface a statement with, not to be a dick,ass,mean,etc it means you really are one. (just kidding)

Of course the early season struggles matter
that is exactly my point. Before the season started there were a set of expectations, after watching the team for a few games the expectations were adjusted. The team then proceeded to exceed those expectations. That is why buzz is getting coy consideration

[hairy worthen]

I agree early exits count a lot. This season has been surprise for everyone to some degree. Along with that surprise has come hard work and frustration for everyone. How we do next several weeks will determine how much this squad exceeded expectations. Jury is still out here.

I agree the jury is still out. However, contrary to what equalizer thinks, my expectations were below what the team has already achieved
as far as I am concerned we are playing with house money

[Goose]

Hairy

I have never been a house money kindof guy but have to agree with that for this season. Last a few folks posted making S16 was playing with house money and I definitely disagreed with that. This team really surprised me and the win last Monday was extra bonus IMO. Beat ND and pot of house money is much bigger to me.