With what are we better off?

[dgies9156]

Candidly, I'm with Option 2. Assuming we win out in the regular season, I think the rest and practice is more important than the tournament. We've proved our worth through the season, which really matters.

I know I'm in a minority here! Yes, I always love Marquette winning and HATE losing with a passion. But I'd rather rack up two first round wins and make the Sweet 16 (and win there) then be totally exhausted after a Tough Big East tournament!

[Milkshakes]

Win. Always win. Go into the NCAA on a roll and one of the hottest teams in the tournament. 

[HowardsWorld]

I would love for Marquette to play in the Championship game Saturday. I don't recall them ever making it that far in the tournament. The thing that kind of works in our favor is that after our first round game we will most likely match up with Uconn so it will either be a resume building win or a loss that lets us get rest that wont impact our seeding at all. If we make it to the Championship we will more than likely play Xavier/Providence who we match up extremely well with.

Its a horse a piece honestly but the kids are young and 1 extra day or rest shouldn't dictate whether we lose or not in the first or second round.

[4everwarriors]

There is no finish line, aina?

[mix it up]

I would love for Marquette to play in the Championship game Saturday. I don't recall them ever making it that far in the tournament. The thing that kind of works in our favor is that after our first round game we will most likely match up with Uconn so it will either be a resume building win or a loss that lets us get rest that wont impact our seeding at all. If we make it to the Championship we will more than likely play Xavier/Providence who we match up extremely well with.

Its a horse a piece honestly but the kids are young and 1 extra day or rest shouldn't dictate whether we lose or not in the first or second round.

Whoa, that phrase brings me back. Haven't heard it since I left the Heartland. Good times slamming leather cups on the bar.

BTW I agree with this analysis

[cheebs09]

Win. Always win. Go into the NCAA on a roll and one of the hottest teams in the tournament.

Yup. Play as many good games as you can and build momentum. If we play well and lose a heartbreaker, then go focus on the NCAAT.

[Coleman]

You always want to win. BET tournament championship is on Saturday. The earliest the guys will play is Thursday. They will be absolutely fine.

[wisblue]

Rest is a consolation prize for losers, not a goal.

If Marquette wants to be the new Villanova, winning the BET is part of the equation. They have frequently followed up BET titles with deep NCAA runs.

Plus, it would be nice to give Dodds a ready made excuse if MU doesn't win the NCAA title.

[BM1090]

They still get a minimum of four days between games if they make it to Saturday. Give me more high pressure games and situations for the team to play through every time.

I could see a team making it to Saturday being at a disadvantage if they had to play Tuesday in the first four. In MU's case it shouldn't affect them. Four days off is enough to recharge the body at almost any age.

[StillWarriors]

I would love for Marquette to play in the Championship game Saturday. I don't recall them ever making it that far in the tournament. The thing that kind of works in our favor is that after our first round game we will most likely match up with Uconn so it will either be a resume building win or a loss that lets us get rest that wont impact our seeding at all. If we make it to the Championship we will more than likely play Xavier/Providence who we match up extremely well with.

Its a horse a piece honestly but the kids are young and 1 extra day or rest shouldn't dictate whether we lose or not in the first or second round.

Not impressed with Creighton? Depth could be an issue.

[IrwinFletcher]

Two of the most annoying phrases in CBB:

"I would rather be under the radar"

"I would rather lose in the conference tournament so we can rest"

Me, I would prefer to be in the Top 10 and on the radar and make it to the conference championships like all the other blue bloods do.

[HowardsWorld]

Not impressed with Creighton? Depth could be an issue.

I very much am impressed however without them winning out in the big east they will be in the 4/5 matchup with Uconn and I think Uconn beats them. Either way my point was that if we advance past the 1st round and play uconn/Creighton its not going to hurt any if we lose and only helps build a case for a 2 seed with a win.

I fully believe Marquette, Creighton and Uconn could be in the final four. I believe that MU, Creighton, Xavier and Uconn will all be in the sweet 16.

[Pepe Sylvia]

I'd like to be like Nova in 18, win the BET and the NCAAs, although I'd settle for Nova in 16, when the lost the BET and won the NCAAs, and I suppose I'd settle for last years Nova winning the BET and making the final 4. If we act like 15 Nova, winning the BET and losing in the round of 32, FIRE EVERYONE UNACCEPTABLE. But I guess they did win it all in 16, so maybe I would be patient in that nightmare scenario.

Anyway, I'd like it if my basketball team just won all the games, even if it meant that they would have to play more basketball games.

They really need to win the damn BET this year so I stop seeing all this loser mentality of "maybe it's good we never do squat in the BET, actually."

[Galway Eagle]

I'll settle for any of Nova 2009, 2016, 2018, or 2022

[muwarrior69]

Option 3: Forfeit first BET game and rest. Why risk an injury.

[panda]

Not impressed with Creighton? Depth could be an issue.

Depth is overrated. Our last two games we've only gone seven deep too. That's what we'll end up doing in tight games for the rest of the season.

[lawdog77]

If we clinch the outright title at Butler, will the 5 starter's get the the final game off?

[Pepe Sylvia]

I'd hope not. This ain't the pros. Everyone will gladly drop us a seed line if we lose at home to St. Johns.

[HowardsWorld]

If we clinch the outright title at Butler, will the 5 starter's get the the final game off?

Not a chance this is not the NBA

[Dickthedribbler]

If we clinch the outright title at Butler, will the 5 starter's get the the final game off?

No.

[jutaw22mu]

Win.  They are young and don't need rest.

[lawdog77]

I didn't think I needed teal

[wisblue]

I very much am impressed however without them winning out in the big east they will be in the 4/5 matchup with Uconn and I think Uconn beats them. Either way my point was that if we advance past the 1st round and play uconn/Creighton its not going to hurt any if we lose and only helps build a case for a 2 seed with a win.

I fully believe Marquette, Creighton and Uconn could be in the final four. I believe that MU, Creighton, Xavier and Uconn will all be in the sweet 16.

Creighton winning out is a decent possibility and probably rides on their game with Villanova tomorrow. They will be heavy favorites in their last two against Georgetown and DePaul.

If MU gets the 1 seed in the BET and wins their first game (likely against SJU on their second home court) I agree that UConn would be their most likely opponent in the semifinals. But, UConn will have a battle in the first round, whether it's against Xavier, Providence, or Creighton.

[StillAWarrior]

I didn't think I needed teal

When is dgies9156 going to say the same about the entire thread/poll?

[wadesworld]

Last year's Final Four teams: Duke played in the ACC tourney title game, UNC in the ACC tourney semis, Nova in the Big East tourney title, Kansas in the Big Twelve tourney title.

There's 4 days minimum off.  These are college kids and the top 0.1% of the world in terms of their conditioning.  Anyone who says they'd rather we lose Thursday to get extra rest is just rationalizing a loss before it happens.