MU ranked #17 in preseason AP poll

[ATWizJr]

Per espn.

[dgies9156]

Can we all collectively say:

Underrated!!!!!!!!

I'm glad. Makes it all the more satisfying when we sneak up on the world. I like having a chip on our shoulders!

[keefe]

Imagine our ranking had Vander Blue stayed. How selfish.

[The Lens]

Imagine our ranking if Otule had exhausted his eligibility in just four years, became the next Roy Hibbert and subconsciously forced writers to think MU was better than it was because of Wade & Otule; Super Stars.

[jsglow]

Where did we begin in the rankings last year?

[hepennypacker5000]

Where did we begin in the rankings last year?

Unranked in both polls.

[GoldenZebra]

Can we all collectively say:

Underrated!!!!!!!!

I'm glad. Makes it all the more satisfying when we sneak up on the world. I like having a chip on our shoulders!

I dont know about that...the teams ahead of us are pretty good. Our backcourt has not proven anything yet, its all based on what we hope for.

[chapman]

Unranked in both polls.

Wow, didn't remember starting this low and had to check the history.  Running down the "others receiving votes", 34 in AP and 36 in Coaches in the preseason.  By December 3, we only had 1 vote in the AP, by December 24 (post UWGB), 0 votes anywhere.  First cracking of the AP was January 14 at #25, and first real movement wasn't until February 11.     

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2013/week/1/seasontype/2

[GooooMarquette]

I dont know about that...the teams ahead of us are pretty good. Our backcourt has not proven anything yet, its all based on what we hope for.

Agreed.  We certainly have the talent to move higher than #17, and Buzz's track record gives reason for optimism.  Still, we really need Derrick and Todd to take big steps forward for this team to move higher.

[jeffreyweee]

Yeah, I'm not sure what we've done to deserve being ranked over #17. I think this is about right for what we have returning and what we lost. Looking forward to a great year!

[willie warrior]

Yeah, it is about right. We lost 3 starters. In fact, one could argue that the ranking could be lower. It is a good starting point, and plenty of room to move up. Just win.

[wadesworld]

Yeah, I'm not sure what we've done to deserve being ranked over #17. I think this is about right for what we have returning and what we lost. Looking forward to a great year!

Not that I disagree with the ranking, and not that you can go off of previous seasons' results because rosters obviously change, but we have done 3 things to deserve being ranked over #17: finish in the Sweet 16 (or better) in each of the last 3 seasons.  Top 16 finish consistently over the past 3 years.  But in reality preseason polls are just fun to look at.  Too much happens throughout the course of the season (injuries, chemistry issues, lack of development, etc.) to predict where teams will be 5 months from now.

[San Diego Warrior]

I love how all the analysts continue to say that Marquette is comprised of a bunch of no-name players, but because of Buzz they're ranking us this high.  I think Buzz does get the guys to play hard, but it's not like he's working with the talent we had in the late 90's.

Anderson, Burton, JaJaun, Taylor, Duane Wilson, and Jamil are all top 100 recruits.   Do you have to be a McDonald's All American to be considered a real recruit?  

[jsglow]

Wow, didn't remember starting this low and had to check the history.  Running down the "others receiving votes", 34 in AP and 36 in Coaches in the preseason.  By December 3, we only had 1 vote in the AP, by December 24 (post UWGB), 0 votes anywhere.  First cracking of the AP was January 14 at #25, and first real movement wasn't until February 11.     

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2013/week/1/seasontype/2

Recalling now that jsglow jr. was lamenting the fact that the Warriors were 'good' in the time before he started school. Young buck of little faith.  In fact I think it can be argued that my Senior daughter may experience one of the best 4 year runs in history and that the sky is the limit for my Sophomore son. I can already hear you guys who graduated around 1990 complaining.

[esotericmindguy]

Underrated? Doesn't everyone say its a guard league? We have Derrick Wilson running the show, he can barely make a free throw. Nice guy I'm sure, but a below average PG. Not his fault, because he actually is a nice backup. Handles the ball and plays tough defense. This has me concerned.

[wadesworld]

Underrated? Doesn't everyone say its a guard league? We have Derrick Wilson running the show, he can barely make a free throw. Nice guy I'm sure, but a below average PG. Not his fault, because he actually is a nice backup. Handles the ball and plays tough defense. This has me concerned.

heh

[Skatastrophy]

heh

I tend to agree with EMG.

[The Lens]

Unproven back court
One of the best frontcourts in the country

17 sounds about right.

[77ncaachamps]

Unproven back court
One of the best frontcourts in the country

17 sounds about right.

Plus the "Buzz Bonus". He's getting more love as the years pass.

[keefe]

Plus the "Buzz Bonus". He's getting more love as the years pass.

I'm not certain Marquette gets an uptick from Buzz. I think he is too enigmatic and unpredictable in the minds of many in the coaching ranks and Fifth Estate. We likely have a keener appreciation for Buzz Williams than most others. Frankly, Marquette was overshadowed in the Big East as an after thought. And the camel in the tent is that our new conference is far less relevant than its previous iteration.

Angst over how we are viewed and judged by others is a common theme on this board. It should not matter what Dick Vitale thinks or if Doug Gottlieb snubbed us. The reality is that Buzz recruits fine young men who play tenacious team basketball and deliver superior results. This team, personified by the Coach's oddly angular personality, is genuinely fun and exciting to follow. And that is all we should find important.     

[Dawson Rental]

I'm not certain Marquette gets an uptick from Buzz. I think he is too enigmatic and unpredictable in the minds of many in the coaching ranks and Fifth Estate. We likely have a keener appreciation for Buzz Williams than most others. Frankly, Marquette was overshadowed in the Big East as an after thought. And the camel in the tent is that our new conference is far less relevant than its previous iteration.

Angst over how we are viewed and judged by others is a common theme on this board. It should not matter what Dick Vitale thinks or if Doug Gottlieb snubbed us. The reality is that Buzz recruits fine young men who play tenacious team basketball and deliver superior results. This team, personified by the Coach's oddly angular personality, is genuinely fun and exciting to follow. And that is all we should find important.     

Fifth Estaters don't vote in the basketball polls, the coaches have one and Fourth Estaters the other.

[MUMonster03]

I'm fine with being 17. We have a lot of guys who will be asked to either step up their role or contribute as freshmen. This team has a lot of upside but inexperience could make non conference bumpy.

I'm more disappointed in the fact that we are the only Big East team in either poll.

[tower912]

I have no problem with 17.   With the unproven backcourt, that may even be a little high.   

[Let's Go Warriors]

Mayo is the obvious wildcard.  He has had a rough go of it so far.  But has the talent to be a top level Guard.  IF he keeps it together he could do both himself and MU very well this season.  6'3" guards with his athleticism, skills, shot and defensive ability dont grow on trees even at the high major level in college ball.  Lets hope his production matches his talents this season. 

[Litehouse]

I have no problem with 17.   With the unproven backcourt, that may even be a little high.   

Agreed, anywhere in the 17-22 range seems fair to me.  Losing Duane for the first few months, and McKay altogether would probably justify dropping us down a few spots.