Sunday is the most important game...

[1SE]

How important is this game for you? For Shaka? For the program?

Imo easily the biggest game of Shaka tenure. The entire season has been about getting to the point to take the step we couldn't last year. No finish line and all, but this is the win we need to expunge the deamons of last year.

But even more than that, it's the biggest game since 2003. Buzzes games werre great but were largely a continuation of the momentum from 2003. A win Sunday puts us back where we should be after the lost decade.

We got this. We are Marquette.

[wisblue]

I said Friday.

This game is bigger than that for anyone who places outsized importance on the NCAA tournament over the rest of the season, but I'm not in that camp.

A loss tomorrow would be disappointing but, recognizing the injury problems the team has faced this year, and continues to deal with,it wouldn't overshadow for me the entertainment they have provided the last two seasons.

[Goose]

The game tomorrow is very important for a lot of reasons. Biggest reason for me is that it allows this group to continue to build on their lasting legacy a MU. The core of this team has done something that very few teams do and that is stick together. To be honest, the more I watch how other teams were put together, the more I appreciate what this group has done. Sadly, I think it is going to be harder to replicate what MU has done the past three years and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

[mu_hilltopper]

It's pretty big for Shaka. 

With a loss, he'll have gone four years with a 3, 9, 2, and 2 seed to the dance and never gotten past the first weekend.

[bilsu]

It is the biggest game, because with Kentucky and Texas Tech losing the third-round game is definitely winnable for us.

[wadesworld]

Only game on the schedule.

[nyg]

It's pretty big for Shaka. 

With a loss, he'll have gone four years with a 3, 9, 2, and 2 seed to the dance and never gotten past the first weekend.

With a loss, it would be 10 consecutive NCAAT appearances without making it out of the weekend.  Out of those 10, four of them was with one win on Thurs/Fri, making it to the first weekend.  That's quite the streak and let's hope it ends tomorrow.

[Scoop Snoop]

The game tomorrow is very important for a lot of reasons. Biggest reason for me is that it allows this group to continue to build on their lasting legacy a MU. The core of this team has done something that very few teams do and that is stick together. To be honest, the more I watch how other teams were put together, the more I appreciate what this group has done. Sadly, I think it is going to be harder to replicate what MU has done the past three years and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

I'm enjoying every game this team plays and agree that it will be at least a while before we will have another team comparable to this one. If we only make it into the Sweet Sixteen, it will still be a good year, but an Elite Eight would serve as an affirmation of our team. I'm certainly not writing off going all the way to a natty, but simply stating what I believe should be the foundation of our tourney performance this year.

[Goose]

Snoop

I agree with you, but am a bit more greedy. I have been on NC watch for a year and I am still a believer.

[Scoop Snoop]

Snoop

I agree with you, but am a bit more greedy. I have been on NC watch for a year and I am still a believer.

Don't read what I wrote as my being a non-believer Goose. Think of the SS and EE as launching pads rather than final destinations. They are Plan B. 

[1SE]

Snoop

I agree with you, but am a bit more greedy. I have been on NC watch for a year and I am still a believer.

It can be both - part of why I think this is the biggest game since 2003.

1) We're in with a realistic shot at the title this year - we'd need some things to seriously fall our way, but it wouldn't be crazy.

2) Winning this game says "we're back (from the Wojo Wilderness)" and we need to be in the perennial April conversations. I want S16s to be the baseline, annual, expectation for the team. And if you're in the mix year-in and year-out sooner or later you'll break through and get to the final game. But if we lose, the narrative remains "Shaka can't get it done in March". Gotta shake that monkey.   

[bradforster]

I said Friday.

This game is bigger than that for anyone who places outsized importance on the NCAA tournament over the rest of the season, but I'm not in that camp.

A loss tomorrow would be disappointing but, recognizing the injury problems the team has faced this year, and continues to deal with,it wouldn't overshadow for me the entertainment they have provided the last two seasons.

Well stated.

[Shooter McGavin]

The game tomorrow is very important for a lot of reasons. Biggest reason for me is that it allows this group to continue to build on their lasting legacy a MU. The core of this team has done something that very few teams do and that is stick together. To be honest, the more I watch how other teams were put together, the more I appreciate what this group has done. Sadly, I think it is going to be harder to replicate what MU has done the past three years and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

Hard to replicate the past three years is what stood out to me in your answer.  I sure hope it's not because you think it will be come harder to get a great team going forward and more about personalities.  If Shaka stays and the NIL money is there, MU should be very competitive going forward.  Will we have 2 seeds every year?  No.  But tournament teams that will have maybe better players than this one capable of long runs?  I would hope so.  You've even said from the beginning this team is special for getting things started.  Not because they are the best team Shaka will have while he is here.

To me winning tomorrow and beyond is true proof of concept for Shaka.  It will help keep the recruits coming and the wallets open.  It is a big day tomorrow and I think they get it done.  Let's do this!!

[Goose]

Shooter

I still believe we have not seen the best team in the Shaka era. By not replicating I meant watching the development of the big three, which is beyond any high hopes I had, and keeping the band together. I suspect MU will eventually see some NIL turnover and will need to use the portal to some degree.

I have little doubt that MU is 100% back and expect even better things moving forward. That said, it feels like the fans have been part of building the foundation because we have seen these guys play a lot of games together. Only speaking for myself, but this has been a special three years. I think I have seen 95+% of the points scored over that period and it has been a blast.

[MU82]

The game tomorrow is very important for a lot of reasons. Biggest reason for me is that it allows this group to continue to build on their lasting legacy a MU. The core of this team has done something that very few teams do and that is stick together. To be honest, the more I watch how other teams were put together, the more I appreciate what this group has done. Sadly, I think it is going to be harder to replicate what MU has done the past three years and I am going to enjoy every second of it.

I agree with this comment, Goose, as well as your follow-ups.

I didn't answer the poll because my answer is: This is the most important game until the next one. Looking forward to 4 "next ones" after tomorrow's.

We Are Marquette!

[Shooter McGavin]

Shooter

I still believe we have not seen the best team in the Shaka era. By not replicating I meant watching the development of the big three, which is beyond any high hopes I had, and keeping the band together. I suspect MU will eventually see some NIL turnover and will need to use the portal to some degree.

I have little doubt that MU is 100% back and expect even better things moving forward. That said, it feels like the fans have been part of building the foundation because we have seen these guys play a lot of games together. Only speaking for myself, but this has been a special three years. I think I have seen 95+% of the points scored over that period and it has been a blast.

That's kind of what I thought you meant.  I just wanted to clarify since I think you have a good pulse on the program.  My slight concern was you knew something that would make this run some type of fair well tour for more reasons than the big three being together for the last time. 

Let's have fun watching this Goose.  Hope to meet you at the Final Four!

[Goose]

Shooter

As long as Shaka is running the program, my expectations will remain crazy high. You have a good memory, I did say early in Shaka's first year that these guys will be remembered forever by true MU fans for being the foundation of an elite program. Every guy on that first team bought into a culture and I appreciate every one of them for their contribution to setting the tone. Moving forward, I expect we will be seeing better players and better teams at MU. They might not be 2 seed every year, but this program is just getting started.

[StillAWarrior]

I didn't answer the poll because my answer is: This is the most important game until the next one. Looking forward to 4 "next ones" after tomorrow's.

We Are Marquette!

Which is why I - and 34 others (and counting) - answered that it is the most important game since yesterday.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Since yesterday. We aren't here today without a win yesterday. And I really didn't want to be on the list of 2 seeds who have bowed out to a 15 seed.

[Porky's Butthole]

Porky understands the injury issues but our opponents couldn't give a pig's ass.  Given where this team has been all season, anything other than an Elite 8 should be unacceptable to everyone on this board.  And yes, everything comes down to this Tournament.  The regular season is fun but not what anyone remembers.   BE & BE Tourney Champs last year.  So what!   Where did that get us?NOWHERE!   This is all that matters.   LET'S EFFING GO!

[wisblue]

The regular season is fun but not what anyone remembers. 

I guess I'm not anyone.

I have MANY great memories from regular seasons that have nothing to do with how the team ultimately performed in the regular season.

Going to the Sweet 16 after a .500 conference season in 2011 isn't even close on my list of fond MU memories to the regular season and conference titles last year.

[avid1010]

Since Shaka...win or lose tomorrow...love our coach...love our kids...love the direction of the program.

[MU82]

This game is bigger than that for anyone who places outsized importance on the NCAA tournament over the rest of the season, but I'm not in that camp.

A loss tomorrow would be disappointing but, recognizing the injury problems the team has faced this year, and continues to deal with,it wouldn't overshadow for me the entertainment they have provided the last two seasons.

I guess I'm not anyone.

I have MANY great memories from regular seasons that have nothing to do with how the team ultimately performed in the regular season.

Going to the Sweet 16 after a .500 conference season in 2011 isn't even close on my list of fond MU memories to the regular season and conference titles last year.

I know what you're saying with these comments and I like the perspective you're providing.

Like it or not, though, NCAA tournament success (or failure) is ultimately how a coach and program is judged. You might not judge it that way, and others might not judge it that way. But overall, IMHO, it is judged that way. And right now, nationally and even locally, there's a "but" when folks talk about what Shaka has accomplished. That's what happens when, as a coach and a program, you go more than a decade without getting to the second weekend.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the great regular seasons we've had under Shaka. I loved the 20-2 run we had in 2018-19. I enjoyed some of the great stretches and individual wins from the Buzz and Crean eras, etc etc etc.

But I also was very much stoked by the Sweet 16 runs in 2011 and 2012, and the Elite 8 run in 2013. Kevin O'Neill got rich from his 1994 Sweet 16 run. And of course what happened in the 2003 tournament made Wade a superstar, made Diener an icon and in many ways made Crean's career.

I don't think it needs an either/or situation. One can appreciate regular-season success while wanting more.

I will say I will be very disappointed if we lose tomorrow and I admit it will take a little shine off of this season for me. But after the initial disappointment, I'll still have greatly appreciated the run we've had behind Oso and TK ... even as I feel a little sad about unfinished business.

The good news is that we aren't gonna lose tomorrow!

[avid1010]

Porky understands the injury issues but our opponents couldn't give a pig's ass.  Given where this team has been all season, anything other than an Elite 8 should be unacceptable to everyone on this board.  And yes, everything comes down to this Tournament.  The regular season is fun but not what anyone remembers.   BE & BE Tourney Champs last year.  So what!   Where did that get us?NOWHERE!   This is all that matters.   LET'S EFFING GO!

With all due respect...this is nuts.

[MU82]

With all due respect...this is nuts.

Yeah, it's the typical non-threat threat.

I mean, if we don't get to the Elite 8 ... then what? Will Mr. Butthole "quit" Marquette basketball? Will Porky demand that Shaka be fired? What does "unacceptable" even mean?

And why stop at the Elite 8? That's acceptable, Sweet 16 is unacceptable, Final Four is super acceptable?