With what are we better off?

[StillWarriors]

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.

Got it. I was thinking Creighton will be on the other side of the bracket. However it shakes out, should be a great tourney.

[panda]

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.

You mean kids who grew up in aau culture playing 4/5 games in a weekend are actually used to playing 3 games in three days ?

[Uncle Rico]

You mean kids who grew up in aau culture playing 4/5 games in a weekend are actually used to playing 3 games in three days ?

What about class work?

[dgies9156]

Intriguing answers. I've seen commentators -- as well as some coaches and players -- express concern over intense tournaments that sap the energy of a team for the NCAA.

I get what most of you have said. I want to win as much as any of you do and this is not an issue for which I admit that I lose much sleep. But, I also come from an era where Marquette was a Major Independent and conference championships -- and conference tournament championships -- don't mean a whole lot. It's about how far you go in the NCAAs and whether you get to cut the net down in the NCAA along the way.

Look, I'm also the guy that during the Wojo years wanted us to turn down NIT bids. As in the Not Invited Tournament. That one died hard too! 

[DienerTime34]

Losing early in the Big East Tournament and having all that extra energy did nothing for last year's NCAA team, or either of Wojo's tourney teams.

Feel better about winning it and securing a 15-seed opponent in the first round.

[milwaukee ex-pat]

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.

I would like to change my vote.

[wisblue]

I peeked at Dodds site to confirm that he is advocating for a first round loss.

He was convinced by 2003 that that is the way to go.

Typical example of using one example to make a point while ignoring the many others that refute it.

In 2003 MU sat for a week after an early conference tournament exit and then struggled for about 38 minutes before shaking Holy Cross. Maybe they were rusty from so much inactivity.

[brewcity77]

If anything changes seeding wise and we can move to a 2, getting to Saturday helps. And being a 2 is definitely preferable in terms of getting to the second weekend. And let's be honest, if we're going to play Saturday, might as well win the whole thing.

[Daniel]

I think it is a bigger accomplishment to win the Big East regular season conference title than the Bug East tournament.   Let's do well i the NCAA tourney!

[NotAnAlum]

I want them to play as many games as they can and win as many as possible.   One loss and in the ncaa tournament and its all over.  Lets have as much fun as we can now

[Lennys Tap]

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.

I agree with this analysis.

[wisblue]

Intriguing answers. I've seen commentators -- as well as some coaches and players -- express concern over intense tournaments that sap the energy of a team for the NCAA.

I get what most of you have said. I want to win as much as any of you do and this is not an issue for which I admit that I lose much sleep. But, I also come from an era where Marquette was a Major Independent and conference championships -- and conference tournament championships -- don't mean a whole lot. It's about how far you go in the NCAAs and whether you get to cut the net down in the NCAA along the way.

Look, I'm also the guy that during the Wojo years wanted us to turn down NIT bids. As in the Not Invited Tournament. That one died hard too! 

I come from an era where Marquette was a major independent and for most teams in conferences, winning the conference championship was a big deal and was necessary 
to get into the NCAA tournament. For most of that time the ACC was the only conference that used a conference tournament to determine its NCAA representative.

Back then, people didn't look at the regular season as just 3 months of practice games to get ready for the big show.

[BLWarrior91]

Long layoffs are bad.  They would have several days off before the first NCAA game.  Stay sharp and stay hot.

[Daniel]

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.

This is good data!  Let's always win!  No finish line!

[panda]

What about class work?

It's exhausting for a high level d1 athlete

[BallBoy]

I haven't really seen the lose early payoff so win what you can. I would rather have another trophy in the case.

[Viper]

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

100%

[mu_hilltopper]

Right along with thinking losing the BET would have some iota of benefit ..

I was thinking MU should turn down an NCAA bid so we could host some NIT games at the Al.

[Newsdreams]

Right along with thinking losing the BET would have some iota of benefit ..

I was thinking MU should turn down an NCAA bid so we could host some NIT games at the Al.

That would be cool. Can you setup Arby's catering at the Al?

[mu_hilltopper]

That would be cool. Can you setup Arby's catering at the Al?

I dunno.  Wojo had a standing account with Arby's, but it looks like Shaka let it lapse.