Kolek Update

[The Sultan]

That's honestly a non sequitur Fluffy.  We're talking about basic facts here and why there actually is a difference between a #2 or #3 seed. 

I never said there wasn't an actual difference. Just not one to be concerned about.

[The Thing]

The biggest issue for me is the rust Kolek will need to shake off. I was really hoping for this to happen in a relatively meaningless BE tourney game. I could easily see the Kolek we saw vs Mich St last year (with the thumb injury) in his first game back and if that is the case I would not at all be surprised if MU has a quick stay in the NCAA Tourney. I know this is doom and gloom but in my mind it is terrible news that he looks like he is not playing at all in the BE Tourney. My expectations for this team just dropped significantly.

[CountryRoads]

This is an angle I hadn't thought about but you may have a point.  My general take is him not playing at all in the BET is a bit of a concern.  If he could go 20 mins or so I think he puts himself in a better position to succeed in the NCAA tournament.

Now, maybe our 1st game will allow him to ease into playing full throttle a week from Sat/Sun but that's a major risk.  We desperately need the young man CR, and the idea of him not playing a game in like a month worries me a bit.

Yes, definitely a tough situation.

[4everwarriors]

#uckfayed, aina?

[PointWarrior]

Well, I'm not worried. Teams with national championship aspirations shouldn't be worried about their first round opponent. If they lose, they likely weren't going to win it all anyway.

Sorry you two are worried about it. Just adds to your lists I guess.

the Marquette Worrier malady affects include intensified pants-pissing the week before the tourney...

[Uncle Rico]

the Marquette Worrier malady affects include intensified pants-pissing the week before the tourney...

Like reading you in the game thread

[Uncle Rico]

#uckfayed, aina?

Oddly feel more confident of their chances now

[Hards Alumni]

Who is this guy?

He's a scoop contributor, goes by the handle of Uncle Rico

[Hards Alumni]

White Sox Bill- Uncle Rico's burner account.

Oh no way, you knew too?

[wadesworld]

Who is this guy?

Seems like it might be a Dodds board poster, as that's what's being reported there.

[MU82]

Oddly feel more confident of their chances now

Exactly.

[TallTitan34]

Conference tournaments no matta unless you need it to get into the NCAAs.

Extra week of rest is a no brainer.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Oddly feel more confident of their chances now

Next man up, aina?

[Scoop Snoop]

The biggest issue for me is the rust Kolek will need to shake off. I was really hoping for this to happen in a relatively meaningless BE tourney game. I could easily see the Kolek we saw vs Mich St last year (with the thumb injury) in his first game back and if that is the case I would not at all be surprised if MU has a quick stay in the NCAA Tourney. I know this is doom and gloom but in my mind it is terrible news that he looks like he is not playing at all in the BE Tourney. My expectations for this team just dropped significantly.

There is no shortage of cliches' available, and I think this one fits:

"Worrying is like paying interest on a debt that you may never incur."

[Dr. Blackheart]

Shaknada will figure this out.  House Money at this point.  Need the bench to step up consistently. 

[Dish]

Zero to really gain by playing Kolek tomorrow. If MU loses to Nova, so be it.

If they beat Nova and want to dress Kolek against Creighton, fine (even if he only goes through warmups).

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

That's honestly a non sequitur Fluffy.  We're talking about basic facts here and why there actually is a difference between a #2 or #3 seed.

Theres a difference but its negligible. Its not like the difference between a 1/2 seed or 3/4 seed. 14 seeds arent that much better than 15 seeds. 6 seeds aren't that much better than 7 seeds. And in the sweet 16, youre in the 2/3 game whether youre a 2 or a 3 seed. The important part is avoiding the 1 seed until the elite 8.

Plus, this may be an odd year where the seven seeds may actually be better than the 6 seeds. I'm seeing a lot of brackets where teams like Nevada, Utah St, Washington St, and South Carolina are on the 6 seed line. Id love to draw any of those in the second round

[94Warrior]

Kolek ruled out for game 1 of BET.

[TallTitan34]

Kolek ruled out for game 1 of BET.

Man has landed on the moon.

[TallTitan34]

Theres a difference but its negligible. Its not like the difference between a 1/2 seed or 3/4 seed. 14 seeds arent that much better than 15 seeds. 6 seeds aren't that much better than 7 seeds. And in the sweet 16, youre in the 2/3 game whether youre a 2 or a 3 seed. The important part is avoiding the 1 seed until the elite 8.

Plus, this may be an odd year where the seven seeds may actually be better than the 6 seeds. I'm seeing a lot of brackets where teams like Nevada, Utah St, Washington St, and South Carolina are on the 6 seed line. Id love to draw any of those in the second round

Agreed.  Matchups, which are out of our hands either way, is a bigger deal than the difference between a 6 and 7 seed.

[MUpugnacity]

Theres a difference but its negligible. Its not like the difference between a 1/2 seed or 3/4 seed. 14 seeds arent that much better than 15 seeds. 6 seeds aren't that much better than 7 seeds. And in the sweet 16, youre in the 2/3 game whether youre a 2 or a 3 seed. The important part is avoiding the 1 seed until the elite 8.

Plus, this may be an odd year where the seven seeds may actually be better than the 6 seeds. I'm seeing a lot of brackets where teams like Nevada, Utah St, Washington St, and South Carolina are on the 6 seed line. Id love to draw any of those in the second round

A 3 seed is probably sending us to Omaha and a 2 seed to Indy. Indy would give TK an extra day off. The difference between 22 and 23 days off for TK probably won't matter but it's something.

[cheebs09]

The 3 seed gives you the chance to play an 11 seed in the event of an upset.

I'd prefer a 2 seed, but looking at the positives of a 3. I also think Omaha wouldn't be bad. Indy worries me a bit if we get a Big Ten team second round. Also, it's a road trip we are familiar with.

[mubb3434]

If Kolek is still injured and its not a precautionary reason to not be playing tomorrow than I would be shocked if he played the following week in the NCAA tournament. 1 week isn't going to improve you that significant.

Also if he doesn't play against Nova and Marquette wins I doubt he plays the next day being 1 day of extra rest.

It's all about risk. Not playing  potential 3 games mitigates him re-aggravating the injury. Smart move by the staff.

[TallTitan34]

Would the Creighton crowd in Omaha cheer for Marquette?  Personally, I cheer for other Big East teams in the NCAA tournament.  Based on Twitter experiences I get the sense most Big East fans cheer for their fellow conference members with the exception of Providence fans.  Providence fans just want to watch everything burn.

[Jables1604]

Can't imagine Tyler would be ok not trying for at least 14 seconds (no porcini) in they tourney, and the staff would say "fine, you've earned that"

May be ugly, but I envision him on the court at some point this month

The tourney*