UConn roll call

[mug644]

As if I wasn't already excited about this game, it's now a top 5 match up in February, with MU having a chance to stake a claim on the regular season championship. It will not be easy, but it is doable.

I've shared this elsewhere, but I've got 5 fellow 1988/1989 grads coming-from Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and Newark-for the weekend to my home in western MA. We'll be at the pre-game bash with a slew of other regional alums.

Who of you all will be there?

Ring out Ahoya!

[Husker4MU]

Rolling into Hartford from Milwaukee with an other MU buddy.  We've been instructed to wear white for the stripe out.  That MU gold will stick out nicely.

[marqfan22]

Anyone have extra tickets to sell? Hoping to attend

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Will be there!

[SlowJoe]

Will be at the reception and in section 107.

[1SE]

Kind of surprised this game isn't getting more hype in the national media - even on Fox. Maybe waiting until UCONN dispatches DePaul?

I'm finding myself surprisingly zen about this game - to me it's really all upside (and the upside could be huge). Win and we're back on even-ish footing to the regular season title - which, if we then close out (probably needing to beat them at home as well) I think would mark a fundamental power shift in the BE. Winning also puts us on very good track to a 1 seed.

Lose and we're pretty much out of the BE title race, but, frankly, my grief for that was spent after losing to Butler at home. It really doesn't do too much to dampen our seeding or ranking. We do probably still need to beat them at home (or win @CU) to wrap up the 2 seed, but we need to do that in either case. In many ways, I think there will be a lot more pressure on the home game.

So hopefully the guys play totally fearless - frankly I'd rather be playing @UCONN looking up at them (and with nothing to lose) than going in their leading in the standings and playing tight. I think we have a much better chance of winning from this position and a win would be huge.

[Scoop Snoop]

Kind of surprised this game isn't getting more hype in the national media - even on Fox. Maybe waiting until UCONN dispatches DePaul?

I'm finding myself surprisingly zen about this game - to me it's really all upside (and the upside could be huge). Win and we're back on even-ish footing to the regular season title - which, if we then close out (probably needing to beat them at home as well) I think would mark a fundamental power shift in the BE. Winning also puts us on very good track to a 1 seed.

Lose and we're pretty much out of the BE title race, but, frankly, my grief for that was spent after losing to Butler at home. It really doesn't do too much to dampen our seeding or ranking. We do probably still need to beat them at home (or win @CU) to wrap up the 2 seed, but we need to do that in either case. In many ways, I think there will be a lot more pressure on the home game.

So hopefully the guys play totally fearless - frankly I'd rather be playing @UCONN looking up at them (and with nothing to lose) than going in their leading in the standings and playing tight. I think we have a much better chance of winning from this position and a win would be huge.

A ton of great points here. The two that stood out to me were "nothing to lose"/do not have to win this game and the Butler game in Milwaukee. I think that's the one that where Goose fell asleep at halftime, when we were up, and was spared that awful second half. Lucky guy! He got the bad news all at once rather than watching it slowly unfold.

Enough mourning that game. I think we have a really good shot at winning on Saturday. Not a 50/50 chance, but still....we can win this.

[79Warrior]

Place will be a zoo. I think the win streak stops here and we get payback in Milwaukee.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Place will be a zoo. I think the win streak stops here and we get payback in Milwaukee.

COLE

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

TBD

Last I checked yesterday, tickets on StubHub were $135 for the upper upper deck of the XL.

[TallTitan34]

Kind of surprised this game isn't getting more hype in the national media - even on Fox.

Fox is too busy promoting Caitlin Clark on every commercial.   And every 7 out of 10 tweets.  And TikTok.

[1SE]

A ton of great points here. The two that stood out to me were "nothing to lose"/do not have to win this game and the Butler game in Milwaukee. I think that's the one that where Goose fell asleep at halftime, when we were up, and was spared that awful second half. Lucky guy! He got the bad news all at once rather than watching it slowly unfold.

Enough mourning that game. I think we have a really good shot at winning on Saturday. Not a 50/50 chance, but still....we can win this.

Someone at the Boneyard called it "the biggest regular season game of the Hurley era". They know it's a big game too. They're definitely the favorite - but if we click on all cylinders I don't think they could match us. Just image if Kolek, Cam and Jop all were hot in the same game, with Oso making his bunnies. It wouldn't even be fair - total cheat code mode. Shaka will get the guys looks - gotta knock em down.

[TallTitan34]

Just image if Kolek, Cam and Jop all were hot in the same game, with Oso making his bunnies.

If Cam gets hot either something has gone horribly wrong or insanely well.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Kind of surprised this game isn't getting more hype in the national media - even on Fox. Maybe waiting until UCONN dispatches DePaul?

I'm finding myself surprisingly zen about this game - to me it's really all upside (and the upside could be huge). Win and we're back on even-ish footing to the regular season title - which, if we then close out (probably needing to beat them at home as well) I think would mark a fundamental power shift in the BE. Winning also puts us on very good track to a 1 seed.

Lose and we're pretty much out of the BE title race, but, frankly, my grief for that was spent after losing to Butler at home. It really doesn't do too much to dampen our seeding or ranking. We do probably still need to beat them at home (or win @CU) to wrap up the 2 seed, but we need to do that in either case. In many ways, I think there will be a lot more pressure on the home game.

So hopefully the guys play totally fearless - frankly I'd rather be playing @UCONN looking up at them (and with nothing to lose) than going in their leading in the standings and playing tight. I think we have a much better chance of winning from this position and a win would be huge.

Okay with losing? COLE

[Goose]

TAMU

MU is facing an extremely difficult stretch games prior to the BET and my number hope is that they keep getting better. I want them to win as badly as anyone, but I am not going to get jittery if they lose some games on the home stretch. IMO, getting better, winning the games they should win and be well rested in March are things that mean the most to me.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

TAMU

MU is facing an extremely difficult stretch games prior to the BET and my number hope is that they keep getting better. I want them to win as badly as anyone, but I am not going to get jittery if they lose some games on the home stretch. IMO, getting better, winning the games they should win and be well rested in March are things that mean the most to me.

No disagreement from me Goose. Just funning a guy who is fond of labeling others as COLE

[Dickthedribbler]

Rolling into Hartford from Milwaukee with an other MU buddy.  We've been instructed to wear white for the stripe out.  That MU gold will stick out nicely.

Vaughn's Irish Pub on Pratt Street. Two blocks from XL Center. Or The City Steam Bar, 3 blocks from XL Center.

[Goose]

TAMU

I know you were messing around, but just chose that time to address you in a post. It is go time, but not do or die time.

I am extremely excited for Saturday but is slightly muted because I believe they can win it all and that does not happen on Saturday. I feel very grateful to be a fan of this program and having legit NC goals. It has been fun being part of the fan experience in a truly remarkable program journey.

Again, it is very cool to have a rare top five matchup in February. Time to get better and continue to build momentum for the NC run.

[MU82]

I am extremely excited for Saturday but is slightly muted because I believe they can win it all and that does not happen on Saturday.

Exactly. Losing to Marquette - twice - didn't stop UConn from winning the NC last year.

[Shooter McGavin]

Exactly. Losing to Marquette - twice - didn't stop UConn from winning the NC last year.

I understand this sentiment but that doesn't mean it's not a great opportunity.  Winning this game does not exclude us from winning the national championship. And it gives us the opportunity to win a Big East title. I hope the team is approaching/preparing for this game to win it, like all Big East games.  Villanova didn't seem to have this attitude on the way to their final fours and championships.

If they lose, so be it. Then we can talk about how it's a minor speed bump on the highway to the title. 

[MU82]

I understand this sentiment but that doesn't mean it's not a great opportunity.  Winning this game does not exclude us from winning the national championship. And it gives us the opportunity to win a Big East title. I hope the team is approaching/preparing for this game to win it, like all Big East games.  Villanova didn't seem to have this attitude on the way to their final fours and championships.

If they lose, so be it. Then we can talk about how it's a minor speed bump on the highway to the title.

I am quite certain Shaka and his players will have the attitude you're talking about. Why wouldn't they?

And I agree with you that it's a great opportunity - and I fully expect Marquette to play very well Saturday.

I was just providing a little perspective: UConn did lose to us twice last year, including once on their self-proclaimed "home" court, and yet won the national title.

[MuggsyB]

I understand this sentiment but that doesn't mean it's not a great opportunity.  Winning this game does not exclude us from winning the national championship. And it gives us the opportunity to win a Big East title. I hope the team is approaching/preparing for this game to win it, like all Big East games.  Villanova didn't seem to have this attitude on the way to their final fours and championships.

If they lose, so be it. Then we can talk about how it's a minor speed bump on the highway to the title.

Well said. 

[1SE]

No disagreement from me Goose. Just funning a guy who is fond of labeling others as COLE

I chuckled.

And I will certainly be disappointed if we lose - but being zen about a loss @UCONN (the toughest possible game we'll have all year - including in the NCAAT) - is not the same as being zen about a loss (either vs or @) the middle of the pack teams - as the true COLE crowd are wont to do.

As I've said before I adjust my expectations throughout the season. The B2B losses were a tough pill to swallow - especially since we really shouldn't have lost those and, if we hadn't, we'd easily be a 1 seed right now (if not #1 overall - although probably would be #3).But, since we lost them, a 2 seed is perfectly consistent with demanding expectations.

I know there's a "seed no matta" crowd here, but the numbers certainly say otherwise. On
average, 1s have been markedly more successful in reaching 2nd weekend and beyond.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Marquette Men's Basketball at UConn Blue and Gold Reception

https://alumni.marquette.edu/event-calendar?cid=2&ceid=974&cerid=0&cdt=2%2f17%2f2024

SATURDAY, FEB. 17, 2024

1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET - Pregame reception
City Steam Brewery
942 Main St, Hartford, Conn.

[tower912]

Party on, Wayne!    Party on, Garth!