For this team, what is playing well?

[1SE]

Terms can be slippery. Based on your favorite advanced metric (t-rank, kenpom, others) - what would you define as "playing well" for this team?

And for those interested - according to t-rank (one of many possible metrics):

Through Creighton, we were playing like a top-10ish team (.9453 - 12th in that period)
Since Creighton, we've been playing like a bubbleish team (.8498 - 45th in that period)
From Creighton through @Creighton, we were playing like an outside looking in team (.8018 - 57th in that period)
Starting w Seton Hall, we're playing like a top-25ish (loosely) team (.9092 - 30th in that period).

Other metrics might show different things - feel free to put them in.

So, if we want to say MU is "playing better" (than they were in January) since Seton Hall - sure - I'm on board. We are playing better.

If we want to say MU is "playing well" I'm still not there - 30th is not "playing well" for this team - it is a "C" - it is kind of where everyone's pre-season expectations were - to me, "playing well" means we're playing better than our expectations.

If the 3pt% comes back to where it was (or even career-means) we could be playing well - but it hasn't, so we're not.

[DoctorV]

Not to harp on Brew, because he provides some of the best content on this board, but I believe he gave Marquette a D when they were playing like a top 15ish team, so playing like a top 5 team should be an option too!

Only one thing will determine if this team is playing well from here on out, so we no longer have to guess.

Sweet16 or bust.
I'll say this team if playing fine if they make the S16, and very well if it makes the E8.

Anything beyond that and it's playing the best in the last 20 years

[The Sultan]

If this team makes the Sweet 16, I will consider it a good season.

But they could very well lose Wednesday and struggle in the NCAAT as well.

[fjm]

If this team makes the Sweet 16, I will consider it a good season.

But they could very well lose Wednesday and struggle in the NCAAT as well.

Struggle? After last nights game, I'm curious if we'll make the tourney. I do have a hotel in Dayton queued up just in case.

[wadesworld]

Struggle? After last nights game, I'm curious if we'll make the tourney. I do have a hotel in Dayton queued up just in case.

I can't afford that city.  Want to split the cost and be roommates?

[Zog from Margo]

I believe MU is finishing right about where they were slotted in the BE coaches preseason poll.

Frankly, Shaka does a great job. MU does not recruit like UConn, so MU has to win with synergy. Let's face it, Kam is the only player in MU's first five who would start for UConn. MU does not recruit at that level. Still, MU took them to the wire and might finish with the same record in the BE standings.

MU is not as good as last year. They could not replace TKO and Oso without a drop-off. MU had a great PG and a great shooting guard last year. This year, they have a great PG. 

[MU82]

We're playing well.

[The Sultan]

We're playing well.

Yeah...I don't know about that.

[MU82]

Yeah...I don't know about that.

OK, thanks.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I thought we played the best we've played in a long time last night. Defense was plenty good enough to win, if we could grab a couple of rebounds and hit some shots.

[Big Papi]

It's the end of the season.  All that really matters now is wins or losses. 

We could argue all day long if we played well or didn't yesterday.  Or the If game.  Fact is we lost.  We were swept by UConn, and that loss just made the rest of the season a little harder.  Something this team really can't afford at the moment.

[BM1090]

I thought we played the best we've played in a long time last night. Defense was plenty good enough to win, if we could grab a couple of rebounds and hit some shots.

Yep, build on it. Maybe snag a win Saturday and we got some momentum going into the BET

[MuggsyB]

Most people aren't expecting much from the BEast in the tournament. I'd still like to get 5, but the truth is getting to 2nd weekend will be a challenge for every team.    Optics are important so hopefully we and our conf partners will surprise the experts. 

[MU82]

I thought we played the best we've played in a long time last night.

Given the opponent and the venue, I get it. But we also played quite well in three of the four previous games.

Not sure how much momentum matters to the team, but I know trending positively matters to most of us fans. And I personally think we are.

Looking forward to Saturday and beyond.

[MuggsyB]

It's all about avoiding the 8 seed at this juncture.  That would be monumentally disappointing.  The 6 line would be the most ideal but I don't see a dominant 2 seed.  The 1's on the other hand are a problem. 

[tower912]

An opportunity. 

[Jay Bee]

Team GPA