Chill about the game thread

[Newsdreams]

I don't mind only 5 points.   Need more than 30 minutes so that the starters still have legs down the stretch.

He don't know ball

[HutchwasClutch]

So if we're hot from distance, look out everyone.  Ok, how many other teams can say the same thing looking towards their postseason outlook?

[4everwarriors]

Dey don't teach ball in dental school, hey?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

You're missing some incredible analysis

wee willie is worth the price of admission

[Uncle Rico]

wee willie is worth the price of admission

Yeah, he called Stevie Mitchell "dung"

[DoctorV]

Sultan

I hope it is one and done in BET. The non conference was brutal and BE schedule is equally as tough. I believe that they will not have the same emphasis on BE of BET titles this year. It is all about the big tournament.

tower
I agree. I have said many times that I believe this year is being run like a NBA team/season. The focus has been getting ready for March. The hiccups in BE did not bother me one bit. Their good is really good and BE means far less this year.

There is a bit of a problem with this though-
1- We aren't Kansas or Duke.
2- Seed really matters for March success.
3- Single elimination tournament.
One poor shooting game, which we have seen is quite possible if not likely, and the season is over in a flash and a huge disappointment.

This is the most anticipated Marquette season in a long time, one of the most anticipated in the last 40 years.
Do we really want a 4th/5th place finish, first rd exit in the BE tourney, and possible 1st or 2nd rd exit in the NCAA tournament?

Win Any Way and let the chips fall how they may.

[Goose]

Doctor

If they are a 1 or 2 seed a bad shooting night likely knocks them out. There is zero need to play every game like it is the last NC game.

They have already entertained me enough in the regular season and I am ready for the big games. For the record, they better win in March because that has been the goal for day one.

[DoctorV]

They won't be a 1 or 2 seed if they finish 4th/5th in conference and lose their first game at the Garden.

We all hope that they better win in March, but it's never a guarantee.

The upper class leadership and experience makes it much more likely to make a deep run if they are in a groove at the right time, but as we all know it's a crapshoot.

Shaka and Marquette haven't had the best decade long hx in those big games either, so there's a King Kong on the back come March, which won't help matters.
Every seed line higher gives a slight edge with regards to quality of opponent if the seeds fall as planned.
Every edge counts, especially when the bad shooting night comes and it's a matter of survive and advance.

[Goose]

Doctor

It is time for Shaka and his veteran team to play big when it matters most. Shaka has a lot on the line this post season and I like that.

Yes, ncaa is a crapshoot and anything can happen. All you can is ask for them to be ready and up to the challenge. Talent, experience and poise is what I am betting on.

[Uncle Rico]

Doctor

It is time for Shaka and his veteran team to play big when it matters most. Shaka has a lot on the line this post season and I like that.

Yes, ncaa is a crapshoot and anything can happen. All you can is ask for them to be ready and up to the challenge. Talent, experience and poise is what I am betting on.

I'd like to see them win the Big East yearly.  Also understand conference play is a grind and hope each game is a learning experience to help ready them for March. 

Big East is a good league.  2nd in metrics right now and if not for the bottom 2, it'd be even better.  Each game will be a battle

[withoutbias]

I'd like to see them win the Big East yearly.  Also understand conference play is a grind and hope each game is a learning experience to help ready them for March. 

Big East is a good league.  2nd in metrics right now and if not for the bottom 2, it'd be even better.  Each game will be a battle

This is correct. Over 40% of Final Four teams ever have been 1 seeds. Another 21% have been 2 seeds, and another 11% have been 3s. 8% have been 4s. 17% have been below a 4 seed. So teams can try to take the season like an NBA season, but you need to win a lot of games to give yourself a real chance at the 3rd week of the Tournament.

[Uncle Rico]

This is correct. Over 40% of Final Four teams ever have been 1 seeds. Another 21% have been 2 seeds, and another 11% have been 3s. 8% have been 4s. 17% have been below a 4 seed. So teams can try to take the season like an NBA season, but you need to win a lot of games to give yourself a real chance at the 3rd week of the Tournament.

Realistically thought 14-6 in league would be fine this year.  That's more challenging because of the bad loss to Butler but still there for them. 

[DoctorV]

Realistically thought 14-6 in league would be fine this year.  That's more challenging because of the bad loss to Butler but still there for them.

Seems spot on. I see 3 more losses on the schedule if Marquette plays up to its potential and Chase is able to return, Stevie keeps up his improved offense, or the bench continues to provide a necessary lift.

A lot of ifs, but it's still attainable.

That would be at worst a 3 seed, and I'd be good with that.
Don't want a 4 seed or lower.

[muwarrior69]

Hutch

So, I am guessing you are not buying FF tickets.

Don't get me wrong, but watching a basketball game in a football stadium is not my cup of tea. I just as soon watch the game just a few feet from my fridge on a soft couch in front of my 77" flat screen. I guess I'm showing my age.

[HutchwasClutch]

Don't get me wrong, but watching a basketball game in a football stadium is not my cup of tea. I just as soon watch the game just a few feet from my fridge on a soft couch in front of my 77" flat screen. I guess I'm showing my age.

Agree 💯
So many bad seats in that setup.  Even decent views of floor you must feel in the next county.

[Viper]

Sultan

I hope it is one and done in BET. The non conference was brutal and BE schedule is equally as tough. I believe that they will not have the same emphasis on BE of BET titles this year. It is all about the big tournament.

tower
I agree. I have said many times that I believe this year is being run like a NBA team/season. The focus has been getting ready for March. The hiccups in BE did not bother me one bit. Their good is really good and BE means far less this year.

...might be all about the big tournament, but this teams flaws will be very difficult to overcome, i.e. shooting, physicality, bench scoring. Last season I anticipated a Sweet 16 at minimum. This year? Maybe one win, maybe.

[Newsdreams]

...might be all about the big tournament, but this teams flaws will be very difficult to overcome, i.e. shooting, physicality, bench scoring. Last season I anticipated a Sweet 16 at minimum. This year? Maybe one win, maybe.

Team suxs bigly

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

So if we're hot from distance, look out everyone.  Ok, how many other teams can say the same thing looking towards their postseason outlook?

Probably 25 or so.

But very few can say "if we can hit 33% from distance, look out everyone". We really don't need to be good from three, just being able to be slight below average would do wonders for this team.

[Goose]

Viper

What flaws do you see this year that they did not have last year, aside from the month long shooting slump?

I think this team is far more dangerous than last season and it starts with the defense. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is better than last year.

Last year I mentioned what a wildly special team and season we were experiencing and that it might not happen again for a long time.
I am not going to let that I had more fun or enjoyed the run last season jade my evaluation of this team.

Truthfully, I have enjoyed this season as much as last season. I like being a fan of a team with high expectations rather than being picked 9th.
I did not think going into the season about a BE title, but FF was the goal. That is still my expectation.

[lawdog77]

Agree 💯
So many bad seats in that setup.  Even decent views of floor you must feel in the next county.

Loosen the pockets and buy good seats. YOLO

[MuggsyB]

Viper

What flaws do you see this year that they did not have last year, aside from the month long shooting slump?

I think this team is far more dangerous than last season and it starts with the defense. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is better than last year.

Last year I mentioned what a wildly special team and season we were experiencing and that it might not happen again for a long time.
I am not going to let that I had more fun or enjoyed the run last season jade my evaluation of this team.

Truthfully, I have enjoyed this season as much as last season. I like being a fan of a team with high expectations rather than being picked 9th.
I did not think going into the season about a BE title, but FF was the goal. That is still my expectation.

Goose,

I think Oso should get more touches in the mid and low paint, and not just from the 2 man game with Tyko.  When we are in a half-court situation and must execute Kam, Stevie, Jop, and others simply have to get him the ball.  That does not mean he has to shoot those possessions but I feel we're more dangerous when he is operating closer to the rim.   I see no reason why he can't be fed more and I think it's important during closing stretches. 

[The Sultan]

The problem is that Oso doesn't have much of a post up game, so it's going to be hard to get him the ball unless its off penetration. And Kolek, and to a lesser degree Kam, are the best at that.

[MU82]

But very few can say "if we can hit 33% from distance, look out everyone". We really don't need to be good from three, just being able to be slight below average would do wonders for this team.

Yep.

Truthfully, I have enjoyed this season as much as last season. I like being a fan of a team with high expectations rather than being picked 9th.
I did not think going into the season about a BE title, but FF was the goal. That is still my expectation.

And yep.

[MUDPT]

The current #1 team in the country has the same in conference efficiency margin as 2022-23 MU. Some can look at numbers this year and see MU is playing as well as UConn in conference this season too.

[HutchwasClutch]

Realistically thought 14-6 in league would be fine this year.  That's more challenging because of the bad loss to Butler but still there for them.

Yes, still in reach but very challenging because there's UConn twice and road against Creighton. So with those three, have to probably go 9-1 or 8-2 against everyone else.