Perspective

[dgies9156]

Back in 1984, Ronald Reagan uttered something that everyone today should take to heart:

"Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

Four short years ago, we had a coach who recruited well but couldn't coach defense to save his life. We never made the NCAA and when we did, our heads were handed to us by... MURRAY STATE!!!!!

We were trending toward being the equivalent of a weak sister in a mid-major conference. The way things were going, we'd be what DePaul is today. Hell, DePaul beat us, just four short years ago.

Today, we're back. We defeated the number one team in the nation.

Our center was on the verge of transferring before Coach Shaka came here. He was an after-thought to Coach Wojo. Today, he's an all-American!

We have the best point guard in America and our team plays AS A TEAM!!!!

We gave the next number one team a battle before succumbing.

We have been ranked in the Top 10 all this season and won the Big East last year! Both the tournament and the regular season.

We're stronger. We're prouder and we're kicking ass!

Does anyone want to go back to where we were just four years ago.

Think about it before you bemoan Bucky too much! Give our guys some credit for what they've done!

[tower912]

Not losing a nanosecond of sleep.

[WarriorDoc]

True, the bleeding from the Wojo era has been stemmed.  And a road L against Wisconsin will be completely forgotten if we have a decent tourney run in March.

After the Maui effort high though, today's effort and preparation just feels like a half step back.  Major concerns about shooting that weren't there previously are certainly there now.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

It's one game.  Not worried. Every day at work was not always a gem for me eithet

[Warrior of Law]

Totally agree. If that win keeps Greg Gard in charge, it's a net win for MU.

[goldeneagle91114]

True, the bleeding from the Wojo era has been stemmed.  And a road L against Wisconsin will be completely forgotten if we have a decent tourney run in March.

After the Maui effort high though, today's effort and preparation just feels like a half step back.  Major concerns about shooting that weren't there previously are certainly there now.

Agree, didn't think this team would struggle with 3-point shooting like they have this year. Hard to fathom that Jop had more misses then points scored today

[Scoop Snoop]

Totally agree. If that win keeps Greg Gard in charge, it's a net win for MU.

So....Greg Gard is 3-0 vs. Shaka and today's loss is a "net win" for MU because it will help keep Gard in charge. Good for you that you are happy with today's loss!  The fact that UW dominated us all but the early part of the 2nd half is great news, just in case Gard's future might be in doubt if this season does not end with a NCAA invite. They think they won, but, as you have very wisely pointed out, WE won. Ha!

[CountryRoads]

Have to zoom out. MU still trending in the right direction. I'll take a loss to UW every year if it means we continue to have seasons like last year. Badgers ended up in NIT last year. I'm sure they'd feel the same.

[Viper]

So....Greg Gard is 3-0 vs. Shaka and today's loss is a "net win" for MU because it will help keep Gard in charge. Good for you that you are happy with today's loss!  The fact that UW dominated us all but the early part of the 2nd half is great news, just in case Gard's future might be in doubt if this season does not end with a NCAA invite. They think they won, but, as you have very wisely pointed out, WE won. Ha!

awesome!

[Goose]

I am very disappointed they lost, but this is not top ten disappointing loss as an MU fan. This season will be judged in March/April and plenty of time to make corrections. I do think a deep run is going to be needed for the legacy of the big three guys on the team. The big three's legacy is already off the charts in my book, but I know beating UW means a lot more to other fans than me.

[HowardsWorld]

I am very disappointed they lost, but this is not top ten disappointing loss as an MU fan. This season will be judged in March/April and plenty of time to make corrections. I do think a deep run is going to be needed for the legacy of the big three guys on the team. The big three's legacy is already off the charts in my book, but I know beating UW means a lot more to other fans than me.

Goose- I think that the main issue here is the everyone on this board myself including went into yesterdays game thinking the Wisconsin was a pushover because 1. Marquette was #3 and 2. Wisconsin has a down year last year making the NIT and our mindset as fans is that there's no way in inferior team beats us. If we were being honest with ourselves yesterdays game was probably the #1 hardest game remaining on the schedule both because its a in state rival and because of the atmosphere. I even rank that hardness of the game over @Uconn and @Creighton.  Also Wisconsin returned everyone from last year and although unranked yesterday, is most likely a top 15 team in the country. Maybe college basketball is in a down year but the way they played yesterday they are not a team with the likes of DePaul, Southern etc.

If we would have lost this same exact way to Uconn, we would have held out heads high but because it was to Wisconsin our perspective is different.

In the end I still believe Marquette ends up as a #1 seed. Look at who lost in the last 2 days. #1 Purdue, #3 Marquette, #7 Duke, #12 Kentucky, #18 Nova. Upsets happen all the time. I still believe we are one of the top 3 teams in the country and you cannot tell me on a neutral court that Wisconsin would be Marquette. I think it would be a route but again that's why they play the games. If we new we would win every game without contest there would be no fun in this.

[Dr. Blackheart]

The next game is the most important

[wadesworld]

Goose- I think that the main issue here is the everyone on this board myself including went into yesterdays game thinking the Wisconsin was a pushover because 1. Marquette was #3 and 2. Wisconsin has a down year last year making the NIT and our mindset as fans is that there's no way in inferior team beats us. If we were being honest with ourselves yesterdays game was probably the #1 hardest game remaining on the schedule both because its a in state rival and because of the atmosphere. I even rank that hardness of the game over @Uconn and @Creighton.  Also Wisconsin returned everyone from last year and although unranked yesterday, is most likely a top 15 team in the country. Maybe college basketball is in a down year but the way they played yesterday they are not a team with the likes of DePaul, Southern etc.

If we would have lost this same exact way to Uconn, we would have held out heads high but because it was to Wisconsin our perspective is different.

In the end I still believe Marquette ends up as a #1 seed. Look at who lost in the last 2 days. #1 Purdue, #3 Marquette, #7 Duke, #12 Kentucky, #18 Nova. Upsets happen all the time. I still believe we are one of the top 3 teams in the country and you cannot tell me on a neutral court that Wisconsin would be Marquette. I think it would be a route but again that's why they play the games. If we new we would win every game without contest there would be no fun in this.

There is a massive gap between DePaul/Sourhern and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin was nowhere near our toughest game remaining, nor are they a top 15 team in the country.

At UCONN, at Creighton, at Providence (who SMOKED the Badgers), vs. Creighton, vs. UCONN, vs. Texas all definitely harder. Thankfully I think MU will play a better basketball game than what they played yesterday in most or all of these games.

[HowardsWorld]

There is a massive gap between DePaul/Sourhern and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin was nowhere near our toughest game remaining, nor are they a top 15 team in the country.

At UCONN, at Creighton, at Providence (who SMOKED the Badgers), vs. Creighton, vs. UCONN, vs. Texas all definitely harder. Thankfully I think MU will play a better basketball game than what they played yesterday in most or all of these games.

Not trying to argue just give my opinion. While its not out of the realm of possibility, but if Wisconsin wins its next two games @MSU and @Zona. They will more than likely be top 10 and ranked highter than us.

[WarriorDoc]

Not trying to argue just give my opinion. While its not out of the realm of possibility, but if Wisconsin wins its next two games @MSU and @Zona. They will more than likely be top 10 and ranked highter than us.

That's an enormous "if".  Two road games, one against an inconsistent but veteran Izzo team, and one against the surefire #1 this week.

[ATWizJr]

That's an enormous "if".  Two road games, one against an inconsistent but veteran Izzo team, and one against the surefire #1 this week.

they just handled # 3.

[HowardsWorld]

That's an enormous "if".  Two road games, one against an inconsistent but veteran Izzo team, and one against the surefire #1 this week.

Just sunday morning conversation over coffee or cocktails

[Scoop Snoop]

they just handled # 3.

At home. I think that's a pretty big factor, don't you?

Valid point overall. Just needs context.

[ATWizJr]

Not as big a factor as you seem to think it is.

[Herman Cain]

MU has room for improvement .

[Scoop Snoop]

Not as big a factor as you seem to think it is.

The average seems to be at least 60%, higher for some teams. There are many online articles on this. Take your pick.

By the way, what made you believe that you know how big of a factor I think it is? I did not tell you, so your reply is bogus.

I'm heading out now. Please let me know what else I think about this subject so I am prepared to respond. I'll check it out tonight.

[Warrior of Law]

Wojo had a winning record vs. UW. In short, Winning the MU-UW game has no impact on the teams overall success. UW will be fine this year. They are a really old team. I'd take the trajectory of MU over UW everyday.

So....Greg Gard is 3-0 vs. Shaka and today's loss is a "net win" for MU because it will help keep Gard in charge. Good for you that you are happy with today's loss!  The fact that UW dominated us all but the early part of the 2nd half is great news, just in case Gard's future might be in doubt if this season does not end with a NCAA invite. They think they won, but, as you have very wisely pointed out, WE won. Ha!

[bilsu]

Totally agree. If that win keeps Greg Gard in charge, it's a net win for MU.

I really do not understand why some posters here think Gard cannot coach.

[bilsu]

Goose- I think that the main issue here is the everyone on this board myself including went into yesterdays game thinking the Wisconsin was a pushover because 1. Marquette was #3 and 2. Wisconsin has a down year last year making the NIT and our mindset as fans is that there's no way in inferior team beats us. If we were being honest with ourselves yesterdays game was probably the #1 hardest game remaining on the schedule both because its a in state rival and because of the atmosphere. I even rank that hardness of the game over @Uconn and @Creighton.  Also Wisconsin returned everyone from last year and although unranked yesterday, is most likely a top 15 team in the country. Maybe college basketball is in a down year but the way they played yesterday they are not a team with the likes of DePaul, Southern etc.

If we would have lost this same exact way to Uconn, we would have held out heads high but because it was to Wisconsin our perspective is different.

In the end I still believe Marquette ends up as a #1 seed. Look at who lost in the last 2 days. #1 Purdue, #3 Marquette, #7 Duke, #12 Kentucky, #18 Nova. Upsets happen all the time. I still believe we are one of the top 3 teams in the country and you cannot tell me on a neutral court that Wisconsin would be Marquette. I think it would be a route but again that's why they play the games. If we new we would win every game without contest there would be no fun in this.

The better team won the game. UW is a more balanced team. They killed MU on the boards and will keep beating us until we get players that can rebound. UW is a bad match up for MU, because they will not be hurt by MU's defense like non-fundamental teams will.

Poor rebounding teams will not go far in NCAA tournament.

[Viper]

Wojo had a winning record vs. UW. In short, Winning the MU-UW game has no impact on the teams overall success. UW will be fine this year. They are a really old team. I'd take the trajectory of MU over UW everyday.

yes. Though some outstanding wins already this young season, I do feel that #3 ranking was high. I'm thinking we are more like a #10, or thereabouts. And, I was incorrect in my estimation that we are a bad matchup for RED. Quite the opposite.
Man, I hate losing to them. Always have. My good hate for RED exceeds my good hate for ND. But, I do believe our ascension beyond this season will be smooth. I like the outlook. Yesterday's loss stings (will eat at me all season), but I'm thinking next season and the following could be Jay Wright-Villanova-esque. Need another dude, but I think we'll be ok. Better than ok!