Where is this team going?

[Scoop Snoop]

Everyone needs to have some perspective.  Our record last year after 15 games:  the exact same 11-4 we are today.  Both years had losses to Purdue, Wisconsin, and at Providence.  Last year we lost to Mississippi State; this year it was Seton Hall...the same team that blew out UConn and won at Providence.

This year's team beat the number one team in the country by 14 and the. Lost by three to number two.  We beat Illinois on the road.

Our resume is better this year than it was last year at this point.

Let's hope that Kolek and Kam don't both disappear at the same time.  We will be fine.

This is my first time on Scoop since the loss. I have begun practicing a self-imposed 24-hour moratorium of coming here any sooner after losses, because I know what is here. The word "if" is probably the most common one in so many posts, but "could have, should have, would have" are also common.

Thanks for putting things in perspective. I'm mostly in agreement with your optimism after you stated the facts, but there is something about our performance since Maui that makes me a bit skeptical.

[DoctorV]

I enjoyed watching Marquette thoroughly dominate Kansas. I enjoyed winning at Illinois. I enjoyed the comeback vs. UCLA. I enjoyed the destruction of Texas. I enjoyed being there in person for the total annihilation of Notre Dame. I always enjoy beating Creighton anytime anywhere.

I'm enjoying this season every bit as much through 15 games as I enjoyed last season through 15 games, and I'm not sure why you would claim to know that all of us enjoyed last season more through this point.

Will I enjoy the next 15 games as much? We'll see!

Ok fair.
It'll be a tough task to enjoy the next 15 as much as last years next 15 because that stretch led to something like 1 loss and a BE ship.

Anything's possible though!

The 6-9 after that next 15 are the ones that will likely really matter this season

[MU82]

Ok fair.
It'll be a tough task to enjoy the next 15 as much as last years next 15 because that stretch led to something like 1 loss and a BE ship.

Anything's possible though!

The 6-9 after that next 15 are the ones that will likely really matter this season

We're in agreement about all of that. You're a good fan, and I know you only want what we all want - another natty before we leave this earth!

[Scoop Snoop]

We're in agreement about all of that. You're a good fan, and I know you only want what we all want - another natty before we leave this earth!

From my perspective...get on with it, dammit! I dodged a bullet once already, and might not fare as well if there is a repeat 

I'm enjoying the season but not quite at the same level as last year. Being the Cinderella of the major teams was a ton of fun.

There's plenty of time to plug the leaks in the SS Marquette as she sails to a natty.

[MU82]

From my perspective...get on with it, dammit! I dodged a bullet once already, and might not fare as well if there is a repeat 

I'm enjoying the season but not quite at the same level as last year. Being the Cinderella of the major teams was a ton of fun.

There's plenty of time to plug the leaks in the SS Marquette as she sails to a natty.

The point was whether one is enjoying the season through 15 games as much as one enjoyed last season through 15 games.

We have the same record, have been ranked higher and have better wins, including thrashing the No. 1 team in the nation on a neutral court. Despite a few disappointments, I have enjoyed this season so far ... just as I enjoyed last season through the first 15 games despite a few disappointments.

Games 16-35 ... yes, I enjoyed those tremendously last season. We'll see if this next 19-game stretch is as enjoyable.

[Scoop Snoop]

The point was whether one is enjoying the season through 15 games as much as one enjoyed last season through 15 games.

We have the same record, have been ranked higher and have better wins, including thrashing the No. 1 team in the nation on a neutral court. Despite a few disappointments, I have enjoyed this season so far ... just as I enjoyed last season through the first 15 games despite a few disappointments.

Games 16-35 ... yes, I enjoyed those tremendously last season. We'll see if this next 19-game stretch is as enjoyable.

Oh I got the point. How is my reply not in keeping with it? I addressed "the point". Your response seems a little touchy to me.

[Goose]

 Snoop

I have enjoyed this season a great deal, but more stressful than last season. I do think the intensity starting with Illinois game through the Texas game seemed like a whole season to me, not 6 or 7 games. I told myself on Thanksgiving that this is going to be a long journey and to pace my emotions as a fan. Thus far, mission accomplished on not getting too high or too low.

[MU82]

Oh I got the point. How is my reply not in keeping with it? I addressed "the point". Your response seems a little touchy to me.

Not touchy at all, my good man. Go Marquette!

[Scoop Snoop]

Snoop

I have enjoyed this season a great deal, but more stressful than last season. I do think the intensity starting with Illinois game through the Texas game seemed like a whole season to me, not 6 or 7 games. I told myself on Thanksgiving that this is going to be a long journey and to pace my emotions as a fan. Thus far, mission accomplished on not getting too high or too low.

Pace. That's a great word here Goose. As I said earlier in this thread, I place a 24 hour self-moratorium on my going here after a loss because I know what would await me. I am able to move on shortly after the losses, but that does not mean in any way that I am OK with them. Also. this does not mean that I am suggesting others do likewise. Being an entrepreneur changed the way I handle failures, disappointments, etc. Learn from the experiences and put them in the rear-view mirror.

I get the "stressful" Goose. Our expectations are higher (well, mine are anyway). To repeat what I said earlier here, being the Cinderella of major teams last year was a big part of my enjoyment. Casey Jacobsen asked the rhetorical question "why did we forecast Marquette to finish in 9th place in the BE?" and answered "because we're dumb, that's why!". 

Patience. Pace. Take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the season, right?

[willie warrior]

Where are they going?  Who knows?  Marquette's ceiling is high.  They've proven that.  They have yet to prove this year that they can play at a consistently high level.  That could still change but it's not trending that way yet.   I'd guess this team still ends up top 4 in the BE and wins a game or two in the tourney.  Most years that is a good year for Marquette.  This year that might be a disappointment because of their high ceiling.

That would be disappointing. The real problem-Joplinn, Gold and Ross have not developed/improved enough from last year.

[Uncle Rico]

That would be disappointing. The real problem-Joplinn, Gold and Ross have not developed/improved enough from last year.

I've never stayed tab the Jopl Inn.  How is the service?

[Jay Bee]

I've never stayed tab the Jopl Inn.  How is the service?

Hit or miss

[tower912]

Bravo.

[Uncle Rico]

Hit or miss

🔥

[El Guerrero 2]

This entire regular season seems like a drawn out opening act for the headliner. Do I want to win the Big East again? Of course. Would I trade that for 4+ wins in the tournament? In a heartbeat.

I think the team is feeling that too to an extent. My hope is that things sharpen up as we get down to crunch time.

[Goose]

I agree this is the opening act. The strong non conference performance made the BE somewhat less important. I hope that is the case because I totally get it. This group has played a ton of important games over past 1.5 years and are battle tested.

[FairWeatherEagle]

Lower expectations...that's where.

Will enjoy road wins now rather than expect them.
Will be pleasantly surprised at BE and BET champs like last year...rather than expect it.
Will expect a 3 seed rather than a 1 or 2...and if we get a 2...great. like last year.
I will still expect sweet 16 but not final 4. Not that I won't root for it with passion.

[tower912]

It has always been a truism that conference road wins are worth their weight in gold.  Maybe a return to that mindset instead of just assuming victory.

[wisblue]

It has always been a truism that conference road wins are worth their weight in gold.  Maybe a return to that mindset instead of just assuming victory.

It was also a truism this year that posters who listed 15-5 as their expectation for MU this conference season were instantly tagged with the lame COLE label.

Winning on the road has always been difficult, but it's more difficult for teams that routinely fall behind by double digits.

[tower912]

CORE?

Cult
Of
Realistic
Expectations

I would wear that one as a badge of honor.

[wisblue]

CORE?

Cult
Of
Realistic
Expectations

I would wear that one as a badge of honor.

Typo.

I consider myself a member of CORE, but it's a Community or Council of Realistic Expectations, not a cult. I save that term for people with strange and misguided beliefs not people with rational opinions.

Realistic expectations are ridiculed here.

[wisblue]

If you took the free throws off the board that  SHU made after we twice fouled their three point shooter, MU walks out of there with a win and most of this stuff is moot.

Fouling a 3 point shooter is one of the stupidest, most undisciplined things you can do on a basketball court. Yet we insist on continuing to do it, game after game.

I would say eliminate stupid , undisciplined moves, and we'll be fine.

A couple of plays don't erase the reality of consistently falling behind by double digits, including in all 4 losses.

If by "fine" you mean a first round bye in the BET and a 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA tournament you're probably right. But making the second weekend of the NCAA is going to take more than that.

[Shooter McGavin]

Nice.  I like CORE as well.   I was unrealistic in my preseason predictions based on many things.  But one big reason was my desire to see this method of relationships, growth and victory work to its fullest.  This was and is a great opportunity to prove it.   

As many pointed out our leaders need to play well and if they do the continuity of this concept should pay big dividends. Kolek and Kam did not vs Seton Hall and I am not sure why.  Hopefully just a mid season slump or temporary lack of focus that will be corrected.  A portal transfer may have given the team a little more wiggle room for upperclassmen slumps to occur without losing. But the team pointedly chose not to do this.

In the end the amount of victories this conference season matters with regard to seeding.  But whether you picked 2 conference losses or 8 conference losses, if MU is playing its best basketball at the end of the season the proof of concept will have worked and we'll all be loving it.  Go MU!

[BobWildLoyalist]

I think our relationships are hurting in the "room". Not being funny, Shaka has made comments in recent post games about how there is turmoil and passionate conversations among the coaches and players. Oso and Kolek look out of sync from how they started this year. You dont see a ton of pick and rolls anymore. You dont see a ton of Oso ISO's anymore. Jop doesnt let the ball go once its in his hands. Shaka made a comment after SH about how other players dont have the same passion to win as Oso. Just my two cents but i think attitudes are coming out amongst the lads.   

[GoldenEagles03]

I think our relationships are hurting in the "room". Not being funny, Shaka has made comments in recent post games about how there is turmoil and passionate conversations among the coaches and players. Oso and Kolek look out of sync from how they started this year. You dont see a ton of pick and rolls anymore. You dont see a ton of Oso ISO's anymore. Jop doesnt let the ball go once its in his hands. Shaka made a comment after SH about how other players dont have the same passion to win as Oso. Just my two cents but i think attitudes are coming out amongst the lads.   

😂