2023 Champ Week Thread

[Fred Garvin]

Panthers look like UWGB!

[Galway Eagle]

Watching ESPN2 prior to UWM game - Crean and Wojo, Crean needs to turn down the tanning bed knob a bit, Wojo could use a tanning bed installed at his house.

Any MU mentions?

[PointWarrior]

Any MU mentions?

None yet.  Waiting for the "Wojo, how does Shaka have wild success in year 2 while you sucked for 7 years?"

[wisblue]

While the announcers talk about Cleveland State maybe easing up to be ready for tomorrow's final their 28 point lead is down to 10.

[PointWarrior]

While the announcers talk about Cleveland State maybe easing up to be ready for tomorrow's final their 28 point lead is down to 10.

Any potential 14 seed sighting?

[Uncle Rico]

Any potential 14 seed sighting?

Think 15 is where the winner of that game ends up

[mileskishnish72]

None yet.  Waiting for the "Wojo, how does Shaka have wild success in year 2 while you sucked for 7 years?"

Dammit, Point, I had the misfortune to read that post when I was taking a slug of coffee.

[StillAWarrior]

ESPN has MU/XU III as one of the rematches they'd like to see during championship week.  They have this to say about Shaka: "Shaka Smart led Marquette to the Big East regular-season title after losing multiple starters from a year ago, and has positioned himself to win every national coach of the year honor."

Ultimately, they conclude that even with Freemantle out, "Marquette would still have its work cut out for it." It pisses me off that nobody seems to respect this sixth-ranked team (and likely three seed).

[tower912]

They played 2 great games.  Who doesn't like a tie breaker?

[mugrad_89]

ESPN has MU/XU III as one of the rematches they'd like to see during championship week.  They have this to say about Shaka: "Shaka Smart led Marquette to the Big East regular-season title after losing multiple starters from a year ago, and has positioned himself to win every national coach of the year honor."

Ultimately, they conclude that even with Freemantle out, "Marquette would still have its work cut out for it." It pisses me off that nobody seems to respect this sixth-ranked team (and likely three seed).

I hope the national media keeps it up - the team plays better with a chip on its shoulder.

[StillAWarrior]

They played 2 great games.  Who doesn't like a tie breaker?

Absolutely. I would love to see MU v. XU in the BET Finals.

[wisblue]

ESPN has MU/XU III as one of the rematches they'd like to see during championship week.  They have this to say about Shaka: "Shaka Smart led Marquette to the Big East regular-season title after losing multiple starters from a year ago, and has positioned himself to win every national coach of the year honor."

Ultimately, they conclude that even with Freemantle out, "Marquette would still have its work cut out for it." It pisses me off that nobody seems to respect this sixth-ranked team (and likely three seed).

How is that lack of respect?

The two games between the teams, including the one at FF with Freemantle out, both went down to the wire. Marquette would have its work cut out, as would Xavier.

Just the fact that they're taking about MU in the final, and not UConn, seems to show a lot of respect.

[Its DJOver]

We very nearly lost to them on our own floor when they didn't have Freemantle, I certainly don't think it's a slight to say that we would have our work cut out for us facing them on a neutral court.  If we make it to Saturday, I think we would have our work cut out for us no matter who we face.

[StillAWarrior]

How is that lack of respect?

The two games between the teams, including the one at FF with Freemantle out, both went down to the wire. Marquette would have its work cut out, as would Xavier.

Just the fact that they're taking about MU in the final, and not UConn, seems to show a lot of respect.

It was 100% sarcasm. I'm poking fun at people who think MU doesn't get any respect. We've got a coach that ESPN says is in position "to win every coach of the year honor." We're ranked No. 6 in the country. We're looking at a three-seed - at worst. We've got a player who's likely going to win Big East POY and is being mentioned in the national POY conversation (and a Cousy Award finalist). We've got a player who is a unanimous BE 1st Team selection and two on the 2nd Team. We've got the Big East 6th Man of the Year. We've got a player getting national attention as a top "glue guy."

And yet people still complain that we get no respect. I just found the single thing in an otherwise glowing article that could conceivably be perceived as a slight -- and even that was a stretch -- and I ran with it. I kind of thought my inclusion of the quote about Shaka and my reference to our rank and seed would give away the sarcasm. Apparently not.

Edited to add: I feel like the fact that nobody seemed to recognize the sarcasm without my using teal further supports the point I was trying to make. The schtick was believable because so many people really do interpret even positive coverage as perceived slights.

[HowardsWorld]

Everyone thinks its a forgone conclusion that Uconn will be Marquettes 2nd round matchup. Im hopeful that Providence can somehow get out of the downward spiral and beat Uconn.

[wisblue]

It was 100% sarcasm. I'm poking fun at people who think MU doesn't get any respect. We've got a coach that ESPN says is in position "to win every coach of the year honor." We're ranked No. 6 in the country. We're looking at a three-seed - at worst. We've got a player who's likely going to win Big East POY and is being mentioned in the national POY conversation (and a Cousy Award finalist). We've got a player who is a unanimous BE 1st Team selection and two on the 2nd Team. We've got the Big East 6th Man of the Year. We've got a player getting national attention as a top "glue guy."

And yet people still complain that we get no respect. I just found the single thing in an otherwise glowing article that could conceivably be perceived as a slight -- and even that was a stretch -- and I ran with it. I kind of thought my inclusion of the quote about Shaka and my reference to our rank and seed would give away the sarcasm. Apparently not.

Got it. It definitely wasn't obvious to me simply because there are so many posters who seem to take anything short of a declaration that MU should roll through the BET and on to the Final Four as pessimism or a slight.

[Goose]

StillaWarrior

I agree. This team and Shaka have received a ton of national attention. I was laughing with my son yesterday saying I think I can answer every question in Shaka talk or any player talk at this point. He reminds me of the daily pressers during the early stages of the pandemic. At that time, I think I could have freed up plenty of time for Cuomo, and others, and held the pressers for them.

[tower912]

Once you become accustomed to their individual brand of coach speak, you can do that with most coaches.  In my head, I would play Buzz-word bingo during his pressers.   I have started to predict Shaka's answers.   All good fun.

[PointWarrior]

Some funny stuff in the Seton Hall Big East Tourney Preview,

Best seat in the house: Right behind the DePaul bench. You can bring 20 of your closest friends.

Worst seat in the house: Anywhere near UConn fans.

Least likely to get a T: Georgetown's Patrick Ewing will get riled up if his paycheck doesn't clear; that's about it.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/big-east-tournament-2023-preview-130309316.html

[lawdog77]

Question:

If someone has their work "cut out" for them, shouldn't it be easier to do, since the cutting is already done?

[WhiteTrash]

Listen to the ACC guy on the radio this morning previewing the ACC tournament. In a word, 'Sad'.

I felt bad for the guy, he sounded like he was talking about the A-10 with all the "this conference is better than the records and rankings show"; all while admitting 5 teams in the ACC are lower than 175 in the NET. Also, he was appalled that Clemson was even considered a bubble team.

Like I said, sad.

[PGsHeroes32]

Listen to the ACC guy on the radio this morning previewing the ACC tournament. In a word, 'Sad'.

I felt bad for the guy, he sounded like he was talking about the A-10 with all the "this conference is better than the records and rankings show"; all while admitting 5 teams in the ACC are lower than 175 in the NET. Also, he was appalled that Clemson was even considered a bubble team.

Like I said, sad.

Is it the same moron calling GT/FSU? I get it you have to talk about something during this awful game and have to hype your league.

But whoever Cory Alexander is should probably lose his job.

Highlights

"give me the ACC 10 best teams and ill go toe to toe with the Big 12 anyday". Even with the ACC getting to boot their 5 worst, thats insanely idiotic.

"THese two teams(FSU and GT) show how tough the Acc is. Contrasting styles is what this league is about. FSU switches everything on D. GT plays a zone that you dont even know what they are going to do(whatever this means). This is why this team is so tough. Acc teams know them but other teams dont"

Didnt FSU start like 0-7 in non con?

Fire him into the sun.

[cheebs09]

Does Georgia Tech even know what they are running on defense half the time?

[brewcity77]

At risk of sounding COLE, UL-Lafayette is a team I'd rather not see in the first round. They are a top 25 offensive rebounding team. 4/6 of our losses are to top 25 offensive rebounding teams. Obviously I'd still expect a dominant victory, just other teams I'd rather matchup with. Really want this monkey off the back

In looking at my current 14 line, none of the 14s (Kennesaw State, Vermont, Furman, Louisiana) would be prevented from playing the current 3s (Marquette, K-State, Gonzaga, Tennessee).

Something else that stood out, of those 14s, Vermont is the worst offensive rebounding team at #358, but are #3 in defensive rebounding. Looks like they are aggressive at team rebounding on the defensive end because they aren't a very big team, but the offensive glass simply isn't something that is part of their strategy.

[The Sultan]

In looking at my current 14 line, none of the 14s (Kennesaw State, Vermont, Furman, Louisiana) would be prevented from playing the current 3s (Marquette, K-State, Gonzaga, Tennessee).

Something else that stood out, of those 14s, Vermont is the worst offensive rebounding team at #358, but are #3 in defensive rebounding. Looks like they are aggressive at team rebounding on the defensive end because they aren't a very big team, but the offensive glass simply isn't something that is part of their strategy.

Then the obvious offense strategy is to not miss shots.