2019 Advocare Invitational

[Galway Eagle]

I agree that Wojo will want a tough schedule but you need other teams to want to schedule you.

Say we get Indiana as a Gavitt return game.   That's ok but Morgan is a senior and Langford is probably one and done.  So they lose their two best players.

Then you still have to find someone to come to Milwaukee.   Who wants to come to Milwaukee and get beat, with a lesser team in the return game the following year?  That's what I see as a challenge.

maybe next year Michigan St finally plays a gavitt game

[Its DJOver]

I agree that Wojo will want a tough schedule but you need other teams to want to schedule you.

Say we get Indiana as a Gavitt return game.   That's ok but Morgan is a senior and Langford is probably one and done.  So they lose their two best players.

Then you still have to find someone to come to Milwaukee.   Who wants to come to Milwaukee and get beat, with a lesser team in the return game the following year?  That's what I see as a challenge.

Any potential home and home starting next year, could also start on the road, so the potential opponent would be facing a similar situation that we are with K-State this and next year.  Get the potential conference champ at home, and then go on the road for the "lesser team" the following year.   I'd think that'd be very appealing for a lot of programs.

[barfolomew]

maybe next year Michigan St finally plays a gavitt game

Doubtful.
Tom Izzo has ALWAYS hated Marquette!*



*Tom Izzo hates Marquette High School in Marquette, MI after coaching the rival Ishpeming Hematites for one season

[jsglow]

No worries Glow. I told my supervisor when they first hired me, if TAMU and Marquette ever play in basketball, I will cheer for Marquette. And if they ever play in football I will cheer for TAMU 

[Windyplayer]

Y'all are really underestimating the field. USC will likely be a top 10 team with all the freshmen they are bringing in (assuming no impact from the FBI probe). Maryland is a top 35ish team this season in most services and should return everyone of importance next season, likely top 15-25 team. TAMU may depend on Coach Kennedy's health but they'll bring back most of what they have this season. Davidson and Temple are solid wins. Marquette, USC, and Maryland at the top is a pretty good trio of headliners.

Right, it lacks historical brand names, but who cares as long as the teams we are playing that year are solid to good.

[GGGG]

I agree that Wojo will want a tough schedule but you need other teams to want to schedule you.

Say we get Indiana as a Gavitt return game.   That's ok but Morgan is a senior and Langford is probably one and done.  So they lose their two best players.

Then you still have to find someone to come to Milwaukee.   Who wants to come to Milwaukee and get beat, with a lesser team in the return game the following year?  That's what I see as a challenge.

I think you underestimate how good teams want to challenge themselves with good tests during non-conference play.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Y'all are really underestimating the field. USC will likely be a top 10 team with all the freshmen they are bringing in (assuming no impact from the FBI probe). Maryland is a top 35ish team this season in most services and should return everyone of importance next season, likely top 15-25 team. TAMU may depend on Coach Kennedy's health but they'll bring back most of what they have this season. Davidson and Temple are solid wins. Marquette, USC, and Maryland at the top is a pretty good trio of headliners.

USC and Maryland seem to be perennial underachievers.  They might look good on paper but I am still skeptical.

Plus,  we have to see what the bracket looks like.  If MU plays Fairfield,  then TAMU or Temple, that's pretty meh.  There's more downside in losing than there is upside in winning.

Normally,  I would say this schedule is ok.  But with Marquette poised to be really strong next year,  I was hoping for a bit more.

[MU82]

Y'all are really underestimating the field. USC will likely be a top 10 team with all the freshmen they are bringing in (assuming no impact from the FBI probe). Maryland is a top 35ish team this season in most services and should return everyone of importance next season, likely top 15-25 team. TAMU may depend on Coach Kennedy's health but they'll bring back most of what they have this season. Davidson and Temple are solid wins. Marquette, USC, and Maryland at the top is a pretty good trio of headliners.

I agree with this.

USC and Maryland seem to be perennial underachievers.  They might look good on paper but I am still skeptical.

Plus,  we have to see what the bracket looks like.  If MU plays Fairfield,  then TAMU or Temple, that's pretty meh.  There's more downside in losing than there is upside in winning.

Normally,  I would say this schedule is ok.  But with Marquette poised to be really strong next year,  I was hoping for a bit more.

But Lazar, I also think you make some solid points, especially your second paragraph.

All in all, it was out of Marquette's control so I'm not going to complain about it. I think it will end up being a good event for us, and will not in any way stop us from getting to the Final Four.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I think you underestimate how good teams want to challenge themselves with good tests during non-conference play.

Before Kansas State this year,  I cannot remember the last time Marquette got a marquee home & home that started in Milwaukee.   I guess we'll see.

[Its DJOver]

Before Kansas State this year,  I cannot remember the last time Marquette got a marquee home & home that started in Milwaukee.   I guess we'll see.

Ohio State.  Although you'd be forgiven if you blocked that game out of your long term memory completely.

[LoudMouth]

Ohio State.  Although you'd be forgiven if you blocked that game out of your long term memory completely.

Hey we were tied at halftime at -7 to -7... talk about a barnburner

[GGGG]

Before Kansas State this year,  I cannot remember the last time Marquette got a marquee home & home that started in Milwaukee.   I guess we'll see.

Not sure why you have to put the limitation that it started in Milwaukee on there.  I don't think it matters where it starts.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Could be exciting if Buzz is at TAMU next season!

Is the ACC is danger of no longer being a power basketball conference too???

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Not sure why you have to put the limitation that it started in Milwaukee on there.  I don't think it matters where it starts.

Kansas St, Wisconsin, and a 3rd major road game next year?  I guess it could happen but seems a bit imbalanced to me.

[Benny B]

If MU plays Fairfield,  then TAMU or Temple, that's pretty meh.  There's more downside in losing than there is upside in winning.

Having to play Fairfield, Temple, the UW of the East, etc. is like going to a roulette table and betting all of the numbers... hopefully you can break even and walk away (which will happen the majority of the time), because on the off chance that a zero comes up, it's a massive kick in the cohones.

Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil... the real upside to the tourney is not so much who you play as it is increasing the number of games you're allowed to play.

[GGGG]

Kansas St, Wisconsin, and a 3rd major road game next year?  I guess it could happen but seems a bit imbalanced to me.

No I meant historically.  Why is it so important looking back historically that the series started in Milwaukee?  Because there have been plenty of home and home series in the past.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

No I meant historically.  Why is it so important looking back historically that the series started in Milwaukee?  Because there have been plenty of home and home series in the past.

Because I was talking about next year's schedule and adding a home game.  Starting on the road is easy.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Plus,  we have to see what the bracket looks like.  If MU plays Fairfield,  then TAMU or Temple, that's pretty meh.  There's more downside in losing than there is upside in winning.

Normally,  I would say this schedule is ok.  But with Marquette poised to be really strong next year,  I was hoping for a bit more.

True the bracket makes a difference but as long as teams play to seed then you should see at least one of the two other top teams. We also don't know enough about the new NET metric. With margin of victory being included it should minimize the impact of getting a bad draw in a holiday tournament but need to actually see the formula to be sure.

From just a good basketball perspective I'd be happy with a draw of Harvard/Temple,  then TAMU\Davidson in the semis,  then USC/Maryland in the final.  Fairfield is the only one I'd be meh about.

Also,  the conspiracy theorist in me thinks they will want a Maryland/USC Championship,  if true that means we should get both provided we win our games.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Having to play Fairfield, Temple, the UW of the East, etc. is like going to a roulette table and betting all of the numbers... hopefully you can break even and walk away (which will happen the majority of the time), because on the off chance that a zero comes up, it's a massive kick in the cohones.

Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil... the real upside to the tourney is not so much who you play as it is increasing the number of games you're allowed to play.

Marquette vs. Fairfield - A Jesuit showdown - I'd be interested from the local aspect as the game would get covered in my local news.