SI Power Rankings #16

[The Man in Gold]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/12/06/power.rankings/2.html

According to Luke Wynn:

#16 Marquette Golden Eagles (5-1)
The Golden Eagles' four-point loss to Duke in the final of the Maui Invitational is looking better and better by the day, with the Blue Devils exceeding preseason expectations and climbing into the top 10. Does the fact that Wisconsin lost to the Dukies by 20 more points than Marquette did bode well for Tom Crean & Co. on their weekend trip to the Kohl Center? And are the Badgers even the Golden Eagles' most hated in-state rival anymore, after the sparring that followed last Friday's 100-65 rout of Wisconsin-Milwaukee? The Panthers, who had succesfully lobbied (and lobbied hard) for the revival of the dormant cross-town series, were miffed that Crean left his starters in for so long. UW-M coach Rob Jeter told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that those tactics were "not who I am as a person." Crean jabbed back with a comment that hinted at the priority level the Golden Eagles place on the series, which was in its first of a six-year deal. Of his players, Crean said, "They don't come to Marquette with the object of playing UWM every year in their mind, OK

[TallTitan34]

It's true.  As much as it hurts you gotta cheer for Duke!

[AlumKCof93]

When MU beat Duke last year, I was struck by how bad Duke was.  This year, I was surprised by how good Duke is.  That said, we should have won that game and we can only hang our hat so long on a game we lost. We need a win against a legitimate team, and the game on Saturday would provide us with a signature win.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Although I think Paulus is much improved, Duke would really be good if they had a better point guard.

[dwaderoy2004]

i predict nolan smith will be playing more minutes than paulus come tourney time...