MU vs. Colorado

[DienerTime34]

They have 3 first round draft picks in the line up and they're a 10 seed? What am I missing. What's the weakness

Nothing, really. They had some injuries during the season that if they hadn't happen, it's not a stretch to say they're PAC12 champion and a 2 seed.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I don't really understand what you need clarity on, but both the initial and final points of nyg's posts, especially the final point.

Or maybe you know and just want to argue.

No, what I want to understand is how making an observation from watching the previous game leads some posters to think that's making an excuse for potentially losing a game that occurs 24 hours later. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Nothing, really. They had some injuries during the season that if they hadn't happen, it's not a stretch to say they're PAC12 champion and a 2 seed.

That feels like a stretch.

[cheebs09]

Yeah. High draft picks don't necessarily mean good college players or team.

[Class71]

Kenpom Player of the Year standings shows:

Rank
  1           Edey 7'4" - Purdue

  4           Tristen Newton 6'5" - UConn

10          KJ Simpson 6'2" - Colorado. Game MVP in 16 games.

Looks like we need another great game for Stevie, this time on Simpson.

[Scoop Snoop]

Kenpom Player of the Year standings shows:

Rank
  1           Edey 7'4" - Purdue

  4           Tristen Newton 6'5" - UConn

10          KJ Simpson 6'2" - Colorado. Game MVP in 16 games.

Looks like we need another great game for Stevie, this time on Simpson.

That'll work. Just keep him clear of Lampkin.

I'm expecting a tough game but with Marquette going to the Sweet Sixteen.

[MUMountin]

While I think Lampkin will be a load to deal with, I'm more worried about:

1. Tristan da Silva: Likely 1st round pick. 6'9"
2. K.J. Simpson: Possible 1st round pick. 6'2"
3. Cody Williams: Likely lottery pick. 6'8"

I think Mitchell does Mitchell things guarding Simpson. What will be a big decider in the game is how well Williams (Frosh coming off an ankle injury) and da Silva play, and on our side how much we can turn them over for easy buckets, and how well Kolek, Oso, and Kam play.

Don't sleep on J'vonne Hadley either—scores efficiently without needing to dominate the ball. 

[Judge Smails]

Last time we played Colorado we beat them 83-68. That was in 1987. We own the all-time series 3-1.

[zcg2013]

Simpson looks smaller than the 6'2" listed. They are prone to turning the ball over, best non-con win was Miami (which didn't turn out as expected) and had 7 losses in a weaker PAC 12 (including losing to our only common opponent UCLA).

Seems like they could have been anywhere between an 8 and 10 seed.

Dont matter. Win anyway.

[Elonsmusk]

Kenpom Player of the Year standings shows:

Rank
  1           Edey 7'4" - Purdue

  4           Tristen Newton 6'5" - UConn

10          KJ Simpson 6'2" - Colorado. Game MVP in 16 games.

Looks like we need another great game for Stevie, this time on Simpson.

You won't find many KenPom Top 10 players  of the year who played on 10 seeded teams. Colorado is an extremely talented team and underseeded as a 10. Looks more like a 4 seed team to me.

Lampkin is the one player who really concerns me about this game.

[MattyWarrior]

Osos due for a great game, Stevie's an awesome leader and if we play D like we know how I think we'll be good

[Class71]

Looks like we missed one in the making.

Freshman of Cody Williams:

... Named to the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Boys All-America Team, averaging 18 points per games while guiding Perry to the 2023 Arizona Open Division state championship with a 30-1 record. A McDonald's All-American, becoming the fourth Buffalo to play in that classic and the third directly from high school. Named all-conference, all-region and offensive player of the year. He is Colorado's first five-star recruit since David Harrison. The top recruit in the Class of 2023 according to On3 and listed at No. 7 in the ESPN100, 247Sports and Rivals rankings.  ...

Also some mock NBA drafts have him going early in the first round.

[Johnny B]

What I'm hearing is we're playing arguably the most talented team in the nation. Great..

[real chili 83]

We got this.



'specially if we can score more points.

Seriously, Colorado basketball?

[MuggsyB]

We got this.



'specially if we can score more points.

Seriously, Colorado basketball?

What's your strategy Real C? 

[Class71]

Marquette is normally the underdog. That is when we win. Keep the faith.

[real chili 83]

What's your strategy Real C?

Cut their heads off and pee down their throats.

Seriously, turn them over. Again and again. 

Would be nice to see Oso return on offense.

Cam and TK will be automatic.

[MuggsyB]

Cut their heads off and pee down their throats.

Seriously, turn them over. Again and again. 

Would be nice to see Oso return on offense.


Cam and TK will be automatic.

Ha!!  Fair enough Real C. 

[Elonsmusk]

PAC 12 is 6-0 thus far too. Will be good to see how Creighton does tonight against Oregon. Edited. Got bad info in airport bar.

[MU82]

Looks like we missed one in the making.

Freshman of Cody Williams:

... Named to the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith High School Boys All-America Team, averaging 18 points per games while guiding Perry to the 2023 Arizona Open Division state championship with a 30-1 record. A McDonald's All-American, becoming the fourth Buffalo to play in that classic and the third directly from high school. Named all-conference, all-region and offensive player of the year. He is Colorado's first five-star recruit since David Harrison. The top recruit in the Class of 2023 according to On3 and listed at No. 7 in the ESPN100, 247Sports and Rivals rankings.  ...

Also some mock NBA drafts have him going early in the first round.

They're not similar players, but this situation is kind of similar to UConn's Stephon Castle.

Castle was a 5-star recruit who is listed high in most mock drafts even though he hasn't had a very impressive season statistically and even though he usually defers to his teammates. Also, like Castle, Williams had to overcome an injury that cost him some games. Williams had some good games early on, but he's averaging only 5.3 points on .375 shooting (.000 from 3) since Feb. 24.

The NBA drafts largely on potential. Let's hope Williams doesn't reach his potential tomorrow.

[wadesworld]

Most talented team in the country? What in the world?

They went 13-7 in the Pac 12 and were a First Four team. They have some talent and a lot of teams that should have won this weekend didn't, so we could lose. But we're a better team.

[Class71]

They're not similar players, but this situation is kind of similar to UConn's Stephon Castle.

Castle was a 5-star recruit who is listed high in most mock drafts even though he hasn't had a very impressive season statistically and even though he usually defers to his teammates. Also, like Castle, Williams had to overcome an injury that cost him some games. Williams had some good games early on, but he's averaging only 5.3 points on .375 shooting (.000 from 3) since Feb. 24.

The NBA drafts largely on potential. Let's hope Williams doesn't reach his potential tomorrow.

Agree and also I saw little to no defense in their Florida game. It was 102 -100 for a reason. Last,  Teams win not individual players.

[PointWarrior]

What I'm hearing is we're playing arguably the most talented team in the nation. Great..

Who earned a 10 seed...

Probably better than the North Carolina, Ja Morant Wichita State team, and the South Carolina team who all clobbered Marquette in the tourney combined. 

Maybe Marquette should forfeit this one

[wadesworld]

They missed some players that resulted in a 10 seed. We missed Stevie for a number of games, Kam for a game or two, Chase for a number of games, and our All American and still got a two seed.

[Zog from Margo]

As Jay Wright said, great pro prospects aren't necessarily the best college players. The draft is based on projections.