Friday is war

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Not necessarily either of the above, nor would a loss (even by double-digits) a sign that the season is over. But this is the type of team known for springing early season upsets and has done it (with these players on the roster) to bigger and better teams than we are putting on the floor Friday. Simply, this isn't a game we should take for granted.

I know. I said that tongue in cheek because people here make it seem like Belmont are world beaters. Its Bemont, yea they have some experience and talent but these are games we should win. 3 years ago we would have never thought twice about.

[Benny B]

Looks like you were texting national security intel. Are you married to Hillary Clinton?

I believe the correct response to this is "there was no marking on the text message to indicate she was married to me at the time I received that information."

[Galway Eagle]

I know. I said that tongue in cheek because people here make it seem like Belmont are world beaters. Its Bemont, yea they have some experience and talent but these are games we should win. 3 years ago we would have never thought twice about.

Lol 3 years ago we lost to UWGB and they arent known as one of the top mid majors in cbb

[avid1010]

I know. I said that tongue in cheek because people here make it seem like Belmont are world beaters. Its Bemont, yea they have some experience and talent but these are games we should win. 3 years ago we would have never thought twice about.

from the cbs rankings: 

58. Belmont: The Bruins made the Tournament one year ahead of schedule behind a miracle Taylor Barnette 3 against favored Murray State. This was always going to be Rick Byrd's next great team, and there's a chance he leads them to 25 wins with leading scorer Craig Bradshaw looking like the favorite for OVC player of the year.

63. Marquette: Henry Ellenson is the star incoming recruit, but this team is going to get improved performance from Duane Wilson and Jajuan Johnson. Still: very, very young group.

not sure the MU team 3 years ago (that got past davidson on a neutral court with a small miracle) would have had me feeling completely confident about this game.  that said, this isn't the team of 3 years ago, and if three years from now we're still ranked behind belmont in the preseason polls we have issues...but here and now...it's as tough of a home opener as i can remember.

[MuMark]

Pomeroy has a different take.....http://kenpom.com/

from the cbs rankings: 

58. Belmont: The Bruins made the Tournament one year ahead of schedule behind a miracle Taylor Barnette 3 against favored Murray State. This was always going to be Rick Byrd's next great team, and there's a chance he leads them to 25 wins with leading scorer Craig Bradshaw looking like the favorite for OVC player of the year.

63. Marquette: Henry Ellenson is the star incoming recruit, but this team is going to get improved performance from Duane Wilson and Jajuan Johnson. Still: very, very young group.

not sure the MU team 3 years ago (that got past davidson on a neutral court with a small miracle) would have had me feeling completely confident about this game.  that said, this isn't the team of 3 years ago, and if three years from now we're still ranked behind belmont in the preseason polls we have issues...but here and now...it's as tough of a home opener as i can remember.

[jsglow]

1) Belmont is very good and experienced.  It'll take our best effort.  A full house makes a difference.

2) It's actually an outstanding university but I refuse to give them any props prior to the game. Freakin community college until after we administer the beat down.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Looked into this and it is a pretty impressive list. Florida Georgia Line (both members), Canaan Smith, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Steven Curtis Chapman (not country, but was huge in the Christian music scene a little ways back). That's just some of the more notable ones. What are they doing in their music school?

She said her daughter was going into music production - the behind the scenes stuff.

[Benny B]

Pomeroy has a different take.....http://kenpom.com/

https://www.youtube.com/v/1j2Duy_xzEA

[brewcity77]

I know. I said that tongue in cheek because people here make it seem like Belmont are world beaters. Its Bemont, yea they have some experience and talent but these are games we should win. 3 years ago we would have never thought twice about.

I don't know...we've had some scares from teams with similar profiles in recent years. Southern in 2013, coming off a NCAA appearance, gave us a good game. NC Central in 2012 was within 3 with 10 to play and kept it fairly close. Bucknell in 2010 had us on the ropes before Davante Gardner exploded late and got everyone excited about a rotund freshman.

If you have a good team (like we hope to this year) these are games you should win, yes, but if you look past them, these are the exact types of teams that excel at springing the upset. Just ask the then-12th ranked Tar Heels from 2013 if Belmont is a team you should never think twice about.

[GooooMarquette]

Looked into this and it is a pretty impressive list. Florida Georgia Line (both members), Canaan Smith, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Steven Curtis Chapman (not country, but was huge in the Christian music scene a little ways back). That's just some of the more notable ones. What are they doing in their music school?

It's about a 5-minute walk from the Belmont campus to Music Row.  Not at all surprising that they'd have lots of big-name alums and benefactors.

And yeah - the campus is really nice. 

[muwarrior69]

Looked into this and it is a pretty impressive list. Florida Georgia Line (both members), Canaan Smith, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Steven Curtis Chapman (not country, but was huge in the Christian music scene a little ways back). That's just some of the more notable ones. What are they doing in their music school?

They have an outstanding music program. They have done a few televised christmas concerts on PBS the past few years. If they play basketball as well as they sing were in for a game.

[Benny B]

It would seem to me that Belmont is basically the southern counterpart to Butler sans the championship game appearances.

Frankly, I think there would be some merit in at least considering them for BE membership.

[brewcity77]

It would seem to me that Belmont is basically the southern counterpart to Butler sans the championship game appearances.

Frankly, I think there would be some merit in at least considering them for BE membership.

Well, those championship game appearances were fairly significant in making Butler a nationally recognizable name, which Belmont (despite regular success) is not. Butler is also a bigger basketball school. Hinkle seats over 9,000 and the Bulldogs draw 7,700 per game. Belmont's arena seats 5,000 and draws about 2,700 per game.

Then again, this is Benny, could all be tongue in cheek

[Benny B]

Well, those championship game appearances were fairly significant in making Butler a nationally recognizable name, which Belmont (despite regular success) is not. Butler is also a bigger basketball school. Hinkle seats over 9,000 and the Bulldogs draw 7,700 per game. Belmont's arena seats 5,000 and draws about 2,700 per game.

Then again, this is Benny, could all be tongue in cheek

Of course I'm being serious... do you really want Dayton?

[T-Bone]

Yet another reason this is war, "Dickie V" picked them for a tournament spot. 
http://espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/story/_/id/14043262/predicting-2016-ncaa-tournament-field-68

[NotAnAlum]

Pomeroy has a different take.....http://kenpom.com/

Have to disregard Pomeroy.  They use statistical models based on games played.  Its all math.  Since no games have been played I can't imagine what their relative rankings are based on.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Of course I'm being serious... do you really want Dayton?

Nashville is a bigger market than Dayton.

[4everwarriors]

Freaky... even though it was technically phrased as a question, the Mrs. already told me that.

c



Maybe ya better get your pork belly ready and pm LXXXIII on how to make bacon for da big date, hey?

[Coleman]

Freaky... even though it was technically phrased as a question, the Mrs. already told me that.

Shrooms and an MU game with the wifey. Seems like a hell of a date night.

[mu03eng]

She said her daughter was going into music production - the behind the scenes stuff.

You need a degree to get cocaine and hookers?

[MomofMUltiples]

She said her daughter was going into music production - the behind the scenes stuff.

Our receptionist went to Belmont for the exact same thing.  And now she's...our receptionist (nope, we're not in the music business...)

[tower912]

If Belmont controls the tempo and hits their shots, they win.   They have faced tougher teams than MU on a regular basis.  They are experienced.    For MU to win, they need to force tempo, turn Belmont over, limit their own turnovers, stay out of foul trouble, control the boards and shoot better from 3.      Will experience triumph over young skill?

[WarriorPride68]

Don't know where you get your info from but it's not true Belmont was pegged to both win their division and the overall conference.

http://www.tsutigers.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/6263/mens-basketball-picked-sixth-in-east-division-of-ovc-preseason-coachessid-poll/

Sorry folks I can't read! This was the OVC WOMANS pre season predictions:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/2015/10/20/preseason-predictions-for-ohio-valley-conference-women/74268646/

[warriorchick]

Well, those championship game appearances were fairly significant in making Butler a nationally recognizable name, which Belmont (despite regular success) is not. Butler is also a bigger basketball school. Hinkle seats over 9,000 and the Bulldogs draw 7,700 per game. Belmont's arena seats 5,000 and draws about 2,700 per game.

Then again, this is Benny, could all be tongue in cheek

I am sure being walking distance from an SEC school  does not help Belmont's attendance numbers.

[warriorchick]

Our receptionist went to Belmont for the exact same thing.  And now she's...our receptionist (nope, we're not in the music business...)

Plenty of graduates from the Yale School of Drama waiting tables. That doesn't mean that the school isn't one of the best at what it teaches.