March/April Expectations

[1SE]

What team shows up the next 5 weeks? The one that pantsed Bucky and the Boilermakers, beat UMD on the road and curb-stomps the BE-inferiors or the team that lost to X at home, embarrassed us in Ohio, and got whupped by a guy that's going to be working at a Philly Cheesesteak stand in 6 weeks? The former could go all the way - the latter might be going home at 11pm on Wednesday the 12th.

[tower912]

I have seen nothing that changes my expectation from October.  Unfortunately, it looks like MU will come up a win short of my preseason prediction.  But second weekend is definitely still on the table. 

If this team is hot from 3, it doesn't need to fear anyone.

[Jables1604]

Abstaining until there is a "crapshoot" option.

[1SE]

Abstaining until there is a "crapshoot" option.

Arbys

[tower912]

Arby's does equal crapshoot.

[ATL MU Warrior]

We hit shots and play defense like we did last night (and earlier in the season), we can hang with just about anyone. The last few weeks shook my confidence we can do those things even remotely consistently. 

I'll say Sweet 16 is the ceiling but wouldn't be at all surprised with an ugly first round loss. 

Next three games will tell us a lot as to whether last night was an aberration or a return of the good MU team.  Need to see it against better teams. 

[CTWarrior]

If I had to guess what we'll actually do, I'd guess win one NCAA tournament game.  You never know, but I think our floor is first round exit and our ceiling is Sweet 16.

[LloydsLegs]

0, 1, 2 ... Shaka gets 3 this year

[Captain Quette]

Agree w Tower, that if we hit 3s and play tight D, we can beat anyone. From what I have seen of late when we play a good team, i do not think we make it past first weekend. But am hopeful we progress farther.

Will be telling to see how we perform in the last few games. There is real talent on the other teams. Providence is not a good team.

[Big Papi]

We have made 2 bad teams look bad and a mediocre team look great in our last 3 games.  I feel like we are at the fork in the road with the Georgetown game.  Are we going to make Georgetown look like Providence and the Hall or Villanova.  If it is a convincing win, my hopes will rise that we will have a good end to the season.  If we squeak by or lose, I feel it is going to be curtains.

[Its DJOver]

Play more consistent and hope for a good match-up. There are teams ahead of us on the S-Curve that I would not fear, there are teams behind us on the S-Curve that I think we would struggle against. Agree with the general sentiment that if we're shooting the way we have shown we can, we can hang with anyone.  I was amazed that there were comments about taking too many three's in the first half last night, we finally have a game where we shoot 40+% and you want to take less? Other than Caedin, everyone was, and should have been, in a "let it fly" mindset. 

[Scoop Snoop]

We hit shots and play defense like we did last night (and earlier in the season), we can hang with just about anyone. The last few weeks shook my confidence we can do those things even remotely consistently. 

I'll say Sweet 16 is the ceiling but wouldn't be at all surprised with an ugly first round loss. 

Next three games will tell us a lot as to whether last night was an aberration or a return of the good MU team.  Need to see it against better teams. 

While PC is not a great team and even after allowing for home court advantage, I think our 30-point W margin of last night's game says a lot. Having said that, I agree that our last 2 games will tell us quite a bit going forward, but the GT game without Sorber may not tell us much. 

In addition to confidence, I saw quickness and on-the-spot decision making by our guys that has been lacking. I have sometimes used the cliche' "the deer-in-the-headlights" look. Hesitation simply was not there.

[1SE]

While PC is not a great team and even after allowing for home court advantage, I think our 30-point W margin of last night's game says a lot. Having said that, I agree that our last 2 games will tell us quite a bit going forward, but the GT game without Sorber may not tell us much. 

In addition to confidence, I saw quickness and on-the-spot decision making by our guys that has been lacking. I have sometimes used the cliche' "the deer-in-the-headlights" look. Hesitation simply was not there.

Yes - sans Sorber, GT is just Butler or Providence on the road. If we lose, eeehh.

Getting 1 of 2 against UCONN and SJU would be a major boost - the first good win since Jan 4th. Win the next three and I think we're "back"

[wadesworld]

I predict we get at least 2 more polls before March Madness asking about our expectations.  And right now Georgetown will tell us a lot, then the final two games will tell us a lot, then the BET will tell us a lot, then round 1 will tell us a lot.

Have stuck with 15-5 in the BE.  Don't think that'll end up right with how we've played against the better teams in the BE, but not changing it.  Tourney success comes down to how we're playing and how we match up with our opponent.

The good thing is we're blowing out bad teams, which we hadn't been earlier.  The bad thing is, I thought we looked good against SHU only to have Nova smoke us.

I'll enjoy watching Kam, Stevie, and Jop for however many games they have left in a Marquette uniform and be extremely grateful for their time when it comes to an end.  They've been essential to turning the program around.

[brewcity77]

At this point, I'm not really thinking about expectations and more thinking that I want as much success as possible for the seniors that have given us so much.

We've seen this team play at a level that could mean winning out the regular season, winning the BET, and going to the Final Four. We've also seen this team play at a level that could mean last night was the last win we see this year.

I'm guessing most likely we go 1-2 or 2-1 in the next 10 days, win 1-2 games at MSG, and 1 in the NCAA Tournament. I no longer see us as a national title threat, but will cheer for these guys I love to the end.

Honestly, I want a great run for Stevie. No matter what happens, Kam will be a top-3 scorer. Jop will be a local product and 1,200 point scorer. But so much of what Stevie does, what makes him great is stuff that isn't as box score evident.

The more they accomplish this year, the easier it will be to explain to future generations why he was so important to the foundation of the Shaka era. For us watching, Stevie will be remembered, but I'd love him to be part of a generational postseason run to cement him in the Marquette history books. He deserves that.

[mug644]

And, if I heard correctly last night, Jop has now played in 132 games at MU, missing none since joining the team. The record is Lazar at 138. MU should have a minimum of 5 more games, so if we win a couple in the BET and NCAAs, and Jop stays healthy, he could pass Lazar. That would be something.

[CTWarrior]

At this point, I'm not really thinking about expectations and more thinking that I want as much success as possible for the seniors that have given us so much.

Agree.  I loved the Three Amigos, but I'm going to miss these guys even more.  I'd love to see a big postseason run, though I'm not confident.

[FairWeatherEagle]

I'll mostly agree with brewcity77. I want success for MU and a good memory for 24/25. So S16 is my hope. Really possible with a 6 seed or better.

But my expectations have really taken a hit. Don't see us winning the BET. I got too high on the team.

As for Shaka, he's a fine coach. As for our players, they are easy to root for. As for a program ... Can we really ask for more, the way we don't rely on one-and-done or portal players. And a coach who is a solid character. MU = winners so Im good with that.

[MU82]

We win both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. Take that, Al McGwire!

[brewcity77]

And, if I heard correctly last night, Jop has now played in 132 games at MU, missing none since joining the team. The record is Lazar at 138. MU should have a minimum of 5 more games, so if we win a couple in the BET and NCAAs, and Jop stays healthy, he could pass Lazar. That would be something.

Jop also has 96 wins as a player in his career, which is five short of Bo Ellis' 101. Possible he could tie or pass Bo if we finish strong. Kam is one behind him at 95.

[Scoop Snoop]

My expectations are simply that the team, fresh from a blowout of PC (yeah, I know...not a great team) will take that confidence and heart into the remaining games. W/L? I dunno, but 3-0 would not surprise me although that's a tall order. I think at the very least we will be 1-2 with a W @ GT, but SJU and UCONN (until Fieldling fouled out early in the 2nd half) were not overly impressive/dominant last night. Our guys can handle them.