No cigar

[MUfan12]

Zero Q1 wins since December is irrelevant? Honest question

How dare you!

On the whole that was a B- game tonight. Effort was there. Made them miss a bunch. Couldn't corral the ball. Couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat.

I'd give a similar grade to the games at Creighton and SJU. Problem is that's usually not good enough to beat a good team in their gym.

[rocky_warrior]

We're playing well. I remain encouraged. We're gonna beat St. John's on Saturday to launch a few fun weeks!

Is this like the Letterman gag... He keeps saying it until people start laughing?

[MurphysTillClose]

With context, yes. Part of it coincides with when we clearly weren't playing well and part of it is the schedule. There's also not many Q1 opportunities in this year's iteration of the Big East.

Again, I'm not sure how anyone that's paying attention can't see the change since the Nova game.

Now if we lay a turd at home this Saturday that's a problem.

The number of opportunities is irrelevant when you lose all of them. That's the point. Whether it's 100 or 3, they've lost to every tourney caliber team they've played for a while now. Can we stop with the moral victories on March 5th?

[BCHoopster]

Wait till next year, might be worse unless Shaka lets some kids transfer and works the portal.  At least 3 kids can go. But he is to stubborn to do that.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The number of opportunities is irrelevant when you lose all of them. That's the point. Whether it's 100 or 3, they've lost to every tourney caliber team they've played for a while now. Can we stop with the moral victories on March 5th?

We've lost very competitive road games to Creighton, SJU, and UConn. No shame in that.

The UConn home game and Nova road game were disappointing.

My question is do you really not see a clear change in the quality of play since the Nova game?

If not, I'm not sure what you're watching.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Wait till next year, might be worse unless Shaka lets some kids transfer and works the portal.  At least 3 kids can go. But he is to stubborn to do that.

You're never going to stop posting the ludicrous line of thinking, huh.

[Viper]

I sure was.  John Leurck.  Anthony Candelino. Joe Krysiak.  He's as bad as any from back then.

...and being scolded by Digger Phelps over the PA...on our court!! Oh man that was a dark time.

[MarquetteMike1977]

We were given and earned our best chance to Win at UCONN since 2012 but did not close. Let's close against Saint John's

[MU82]

Do you think the team has played better during the conference games vs the non-con?

Of course not. But we've mostly played well lately IMHO.

I choose to be optimistic because that's how I'm wired. I happen to think it's a better way to go through life.

Those who choose to think our team is a warm turd, and are embarrassed, angry or both, whatevs.

During games I get frustrated just like anyone else does. Like everyone else, I very much want MU hoops to be a successful program ... so I'm glad we have a successful program.

Those who think we don't ... we'll agree to disagree.

(BTW, I'm not saying any of those things about you, jes. I don't know how you think.)

[Shooter McGavin]

We've lost very competitive road games to Creighton, SJU, and UConn. No shame in that.

The UConn home game and Nova road game were disappointing.

My question is do you really not see a clear change in the quality of play since the Nova game?

If not, I'm not sure what you're watching.

I agree with this.  They are playing better.  We did play tough in those road games.  And got beaten by extraordinary shooting in the losses to UConn at home and Villanova on the road.

I am still encouraged. I think our high ranking due to non conference results have had us playing exceptionally motivated teams.  MU was the team they needed to beat to bolster their resumes.  We are now back to matching other teams intensity without the result we wanted tonight. Could have won if they had hit a couple more shots.  Thank goodness the team doesn't have to play on the road in the NCAA tournament.

I really hope they beat St Johns this weekend.  It will be a good sign if they do.  Need as high of a seed as possible in the NCAA tournament. I still think a second weekend run is a possibility. 

[MU82]

Thank goodness the team doesn't have to play on the road in the tournament.

Yep. All the whining about us not being able to beat a good team on the road in 2025 ... it's a moot point now.

[MuggsyB]

For me, this is the most infuriating loss we've had all season.  McNeeley and Ball were 7 for 28.  The fact that minus Jop, we were 0-17 from distance, is unfathomable.  And we still could have won this game if we held onto rebs and loose balls.  A win Saturday and at least one in the BE tournament is extremely important imo. 

[tower912]

In a vacuum, Hurley in his post game presser nailed it.   Two really good teams saying with desperation.   Exciting, competitive game.  What you want to see in a late season conference game. 

[Viper]

We've lost very competitive road games to Creighton, SJU, and UConn. No shame in that.

The UConn home game and Nova road game were disappointing.

My question is do you really not see a clear change in the quality of play since the Nova game?

If not, I'm not sure what you're watching.

team is playing better. Agreed. MU took care of biz vs bottom feeders and lost a hard fought game to the 2x defending national champ. IF this Saturday and next Thursday are L's, does 'playing better' matter?

[willie warrior]

Saw the last 15 minutes.  That makes me an expert, right?
1.  Ben picking up his 3rd and 4th really seemed to negatively impact the game.  UConn bigs are too big for Royce the freshman. 
2.  MU guards kept getting downhill. UConn kept blocking their shots during that game changing run for UConn.
3.  Shaka needed that TO  earlier.
4.  Joplin and Kam show.  Needed a little more help.
5.  UConn at home is similar to SJU at home.  Aggressiveness is rewarded.
6.  Passion was there.  3 point shooting, alas, was not.
7. Zaide for Chase at crunch time.
8. UConn forced the switch. Split second of confusion.  Dagger.

9. MU needs down low bangers
10. MU needs consistent 3 point shooters
11. MU has flaws that needs lots of help at.

[willie warrior]

You realize they haven't beaten a tournament caliber team in two months right?

That should not matter. Stuff happens.

[willie warrior]

I think ending the season 2-6 against the top 4 big East teams is a real kick in the nuts after the results of the non-con

It is also a patently obvious wake up call that Shaka better recruit some bangers and shooters

[Viper]

9. MU needs down low bangers
10. MU needs consistent 3 point shooters
11. MU has flaws that needs lots of help at.

down low bangers...awesome band, hey. 🎸

[willie warrior]

In a vacuum, Hurley in his post game presser nailed it.   Two really good teams saying with desperation.   Exciting, competitive game.  What you want to see in a late season conference game. 

Tired of watching Hurley own MU and UConn outdistancing MU.

[Uncle Rico]

Tired of watching Hurley own MU and UConn outdistancing MU.

Don't watch.

[rgoode57]

MU is 3-6 against the top half of the BE this season. That is not good. I enjoyed the UConn game. It was a tough, physical game that, in the end, was won by the team that played better. UConn's defensive adjustments in the second half were really good. In addition, they killed us on the boards and seemed to get every loose ball. Really good game. Hard to win when you can't shoot.

[PointWarrior]

Didn't they just make almost 20 threes in a game last week?

Ther only make 3's against teams without a pulse.

[tower912]

I remain optimistic. 

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Different outcome maybe if we had run a couple sets for Gold threes in the second half.

[muwarrior69]

Of course not. But we've mostly played well lately IMHO.

I choose to be optimistic because that's how I'm wired. I happen to think it's a better way to go through life.

Those who choose to think our team is a warm turd, and are embarrassed, angry or both, whatevs.

During games I get frustrated just like anyone else does. Like everyone else, I very much want MU hoops to be a successful program ... so I'm glad we have a successful program.

Those who think we don't ... we'll agree to disagree.

(BTW, I'm not saying any of those things about you, jes. I don't know how you think.)

I'm amazed at how soon we have forgotten the WOJO years. My only concern is how long Shaka can keep us competitive without going to the transfer portal. I believe we are the only high major still doing that. If I'm wrong, please correct me. It seems that is the direction of college sports.