MU/CU Game Thread

[Ellenson Guerrero]

I'm a little concerned Dr.V because logic tells me we're going to have close games in the near future and the BEast is considerably down.  We've yet to see if we can execute in a nip and tuck game down the stretch.   Nova may get there but their body of work is likely not going to be all that impressive.  My take is we may need a top 3 in the BEast with minimum a win vs XU.  Obviously, getting UCONN would be enormous.

If you're saying we need to finish top 3 in the Big East to make the NCAA tournament, that is a crazy take. Even in a down year the Bug East is sending 5 teams to the tournament and our non-conference stacks up equally with anyone outside of UConn.

[MarquetteMike1977]

We contest every pass.

[MuggsyB]

If you're saying we need to finish top 3 in the Big East to make the NCAA tournament, that is a crazy take. Even in a down year the Bug East is sending 5 teams to the tournament and our non-conference stacks up equally with anyone outside of UConn.

Have you looked at NET rankings and these other 10 teams?  GTown, DePaul, Providence,The Hall, Nova, Butler, and St J, aren't tournament teams right now.  Neither is Creighton for that matter.  The opportunities for quality wins are very scarce.  There  are essentially two teams and us in position to make the tournament as it stands right now. 

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Have you looked at NET rankings and these other 10 teams?  GTown, DePaul, Providence,The Hall, Nova, Butler, and St J, aren't tournament teams right now.  Neither is Creighton for that matter.  The opportunities for quality wins are very scarce.  There  are essentially two teams and us in position to make the tournament as it stands right now.

I get that the league is down, and it won't be a good season overall, but the teams will sort themselves over the next two months, consolidate the resume strength, and the conference will get five teams in. I can't remember the Big East getting fewer than 5 teams in.

[DoctorV]

I get that the league is down, and it won't be a good season overall, but the teams will sort themselves over the next two months, consolidate the resume strength, and the conference will get five teams in. I can't remember the Big East getting fewer than 5 teams in.

Brew gonna pile drive you.

Who cares if the BE gets 4, if MU is part of the 4?

[Newsdreams]

Muggs you seen concerned, why?

Tonight was a good performance and result for MU.

Give us your energy for the next game, which is even bigger, on the road at the dunk

He will always be concerned...

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I get that the league is down, and it won't be a good season overall, but the teams will sort themselves over the next two months, consolidate the resume strength, and the conference will get five teams in. I can't remember the Big East getting fewer than 5 teams in.

Since reformation, the Big East has received 4 or less bids three times: 2014, 2019, and 2021 (and one of those was Georgetown winning an autobid). This year will the be the fifth.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If I hadn't watched the game myself, I'd assume we got spanked.

[PGsHeroes32]

Muggs you seen concerned, why?

Tonight was a good performance and result for MU.

Give us your energy for the next game, which is even bigger, on the road at the dunk

How was he concered on that post????

Weird target at Mugs

[brewcity77]

Since reformation, the Big East has received 4 or less bids three times: 2014, 2019, and 2021 (and one of those was Georgetown winning an autobid). This year will the be the fifth.

I'd put the over under at 4.5 right now, with 3 being more likely than 6. The problem is after Marquette, UConn, and Xavier, there just aren't many good win opportunities. I could see Creighton, Villanova, and Butler all putting together good enough seasons to get to the Dance, but probably no more than 2 of them.

[Uncle Rico]

I'd put the over under at 4.5 right now, with 3 being more likely than 6. The problem is after Marquette, UConn, and Xavier, there just aren't many good win opportunities. I could see Creighton, Villanova, and Butler all putting together good enough seasons to get to the Dance, but probably no more than 2 of them.

Creighton and Nova will be much better teams on February 28 than they are right now

[brewcity77]

Creighton and Nova will be much better teams on February 28 than they are right now

Quite possibly, but both have legitimate flaws to overcome. Creighton is a poor shooting team and Nova doesn't have a point guard. And 5 non-con losses digs a hole that's much harder to get out of in a down Big East. They will probably need 13-14 Big East wins to feel safe. Like that 2020 Providence team, but without the benefit of a league that was all in the top-100.

[Uncle Rico]

Quite possibly, but both have legitimate flaws to overcome. Creighton is a poor shooting team and Nova doesn't have a point guard. And 5 non-con losses digs a hole that's much harder to get out of in a down Big East. They will probably need 13-14 Big East wins to feel safe. Like that 2020 Providence team, but without the benefit of a league that was all in the top-100.

I don't disagree.  The road is uphill for them.  I'm more bullish about Villanova but think Creighton is also a lot better than we've seen.  McDermott has become a better coach imo since the kid left. 

It's possible for them to get to 13 wins, too.  Either way, beating the Jays last night is good

[Lennys Tap]

I'm a little concerned Dr.V because logic tells me we're going to have close games in the near future and the BEast is considerably down.  We've yet to see if we can execute in a nip and tuck game down the stretch.   

I don't know, Muggsy - I would rather see us blowing teams like Creighton, Norte Dame, Baylor and Georgia Tech out than learning to win nip and tuck games against them.

[Uncle Rico]

I don't know, Muggsy - I would rather see us blowing teams like Creighton, Norte Dame, Baylor and Georgia Tech out than learning to win nip and tuck games against them.

Good teams win.  Great teams blow out their opponents and dance on their graves doing so

[Newsdreams]

Good teams win.  Great teams blow out their opponents and dance on their graves doing so

Or on half court logos

[MuggsyB]

I don't know, Muggsy - I would rather see us blowing teams like Creighton, Norte Dame, Baylor and Georgia Tech out than learning to win nip and tuck games against them.

100%.  It shouldn't have been a nip and tuck game last night and it wasn't.  We're a much better team minus Kalky, especially on our home floor.  That said I did not feel we played anywhere near our A game and were in fact quite poor offensively in the 2nd half. 

I'm looking at the big picture Lenny and who we need to dispose of moving forward.  That means UCONN and XU among other teams that are playing better than Creighton right now.  We're also in an oddly tenuous position with our league being way down.  Losses to the bottom feeders could cost us tremendously.  I'm not being a alarmist at all, we must go medieval and keep our pedal to the metal. 

My honest belief is we are the 2nd best team in this conference with a high ceiling.  If we play near our potential everything will fall into place and my anxieties will be assuaged.  I just think it's important to note where we can get better and to critique performances with honesty.  Good teams win with their C+ game.  That's what happened last night according to my eyes. 

[Goose]

Muggsy

You are a tough grader. That D is getting better every game. Last season we were in early foul trouble because of overzealous D and that is not happening this season. This team gives up very few easy baskets and the other team is working hard to get off a shot.

[Uncle Rico]

Muggsy

You are a tough grader. That D is getting better every game. Last season we were in early foul trouble because of overzealous D and that is not happening this season. This team gives up very few easy baskets and the other team is working hard to get off a shot.

The offense is currently more efficient than the defense and they're giving up too many 3's overall.  Teams are shooting average on 3's for the season against them but when a team has a good shooting night, they'll be susceptible to being torched.

However, I feel I'm picking nits.  They keep teams off the line and turn them over.  Like you said, I sure feel Teams have to fight for good shots. 

[MuggsyB]

Muggsy

You are a tough grader. That D is getting better every game. Last season we were in early foul trouble because of overzealous D and that is not happening this season. This team gives up very few easy baskets and the other team is working hard to get off a shot.

I guess that's fair Goose.

[Afroman]

I couldn't help but notice that a newbie to the roster got in at the end last night -- Jake Ciardo from Germantown.
When was the last time Marquette had five walk-ons?

[wadesworld]

Keep feeding Oso! You can tell their gameplan was to not let him get going. McDermott is losing it everytime he scores.  That's their weakness (obviously with no Kalkbrenner).

Didn't we want Kalkbrenner to play because he couldn't check Oso last year?

[tower912]

Loved Stevie's dunk as much as I liked Omax's.

[Uncle Rico]

I still remember many here heralding Joplin as some superstar-in-waiting. He stinks.

Solid analysis.  Another case closed.

[tower912]

Glorious.