Reason for optimism

[Warrior of Law]

Since the Villanova game, they've played well. The L at UCONN was close despite shooting 4-22 for 3. The OT loss, vs one of the best teams in the nation was while shooting 12-22 from FT. If MU shoots even below average in both games, they're entering the BET on a run. Overall, they're playing well and they'll upset someone to get into the S16. There isn't a team they can't play with. Catch a break, and go to SA!

[MU24]

Its true, there isnt a team they cant play with.

Unfortunately you need to be better than that to win games.

[MarquetteFan94]

They haven't beaten a team with a winning record since 1/24.  Blind optimism.

[MUfan12]

Can play with anyone. Beating them is a bridge too far.

[tower912]

Second weekend.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Second weekend.

From your lips to God's ear

[MU82]

Absolutely no reason for optimism, and shame on you for starting this thread. Every opponent kills us, and all of Marquette's players and coaches are bad.

I prefer that Smart get fired so we can bring in the appropriately hued Porter Moser. But if Marquette idiotically decides to keep our failure of a head coach, he'd better cut everyone and bring in a dozen transfers who have mastered the mid-range game.

[wisblue]

Second weekend.

Is that what you EXPECT or what you hope for.

[mugrad_89]

I'm still optimistic on the team, but the last month has shown us that they have a pretty small margin for error against the good teams.  Against UConn it was lack of rebounding and horrible shooting from three, and today free throws.

[MuggsyB]

Losing close games is a bit concerning.  Especially games we absolutely should have won.  We have to execute better and find a way to get stops and rebs. 

[PointWarrior]

Since the Villanova game, they've played well. The L at UCONN was close despite shooting 4-22 for 3. The OT loss, vs one of the best teams in the nation was while shooting 12-22 from FT. If MU shoots even below average in both games, they're entering the BET on a run. Overall, they're playing well and they'll upset someone to get into the S16. There isn't a team they can't play with. Catch a break, and go to SA!

Can play with anybody, can't beat a team with a pulse. 

[MUfan12]

I'm tired of beating this drum, but if the goal is to get old and develop guys, closing games out should not be this big of a mountain to climb. They've sucked all year at the end of close games.

[GB Warrior]

Today we laid the foundation for the future of the program with lots and lots of bricks

[MU82]

Especially games we absolutely should have won.

You do know that if we had beaten UConn and StJ, their fans would have lamented losing games they "should have won," right?

[warriors141]

I'm tired of beating this drum, but if the goal is to get old and develop guys, closing games out should not be this big of a mountain to climb. They've sucked all year at the end of close games.

This. Team has got significantly worse as season has gone on. If it weren't for those handful of quality wins early, this team would not be in the tournament. I'm not getting my hopes up anything is going to change

[MuggsyB]

You do know that if we had beaten UConn and StJ, their fans would have lamented losing games they "should have won," right?

Their fans don't concern me.  My eyes are wide freaking open and unbiased. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This. Team has got significantly worse as season has gone on. If it weren't for those handful of quality wins early, this team would not be in the tournament. I'm not getting my hopes up anything is going to change

In spite of a couple of tough losses if you don't think we're playing much better since the Nova game you haven't been watching or don't know what you're taking about.

[MU82]

Their fans don't concern me.  My eyes are wide freaking open and unbiased.

You're a fan. You are extremely biased. And that's ok as long as you realize it.

[MU82]

A dozen or more threads dedicated to ripping an NCAA-tourney bound team that just lost an OT heartbreaker to one of the best teams in the country apparently were not enough.

Some Scoopers also need to go into the "Gratitude" and "optimism" threads to make sure the rest of us know how angry they are at our loser players and failing coaches.

[warriors141]

In spite of a couple of tough losses if you don't think we're playing much better since the Nova game you haven't been watching or don't know what you're taking about.

They have been playing better....but are playing well enough? Results do matter

[Viper]

Today we laid the foundation for the future of the program with lots and lots of bricks

bricks made of Gold, hey?

[MuggsyB]

You're a fan. You are extremely biased. And that's ok as long as you realize it.

I'm biased but not with regards to our last two games.  Today especially. 

[MU82]

I'm biased but not with regards to our last two games.  Today especially. 

You're a fan who is biased. Period.

[Newsdreams]

You're a fan who is biased. Period.

The definition of a fan = bias

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Second weekend.

Maybe we can flip the script and beat Michigan State in a 2 vs 7 game, but in Cleveland this time instead of Columbus.

[fjm]

Too bad you can't bet on MU and Poto. I'd put down some cash for MU to make the sweet 16. Two tough breaks the last two games. This team has gotta be pissed.

[tower912]

Is that what you EXPECT or what you hope for.

It is what I believe is possible.

[wisblue]

It is what I believe is possible.

That's more like hope than expectation.

[The Sultan]

That's more like hope than expectation.

What's the difference and who really cares?

[Newsdreams]

Too bad you can't bet on MU and Poto. I'd put down some cash for MU to make the sweet 16. Two tough breaks the last two games. This team has gotta be pissed.

Never got hot dogs?

[tower912]

That's more like hope than expectation.

And?  I believe it is possible.   I have said so since day 1.  Nothing has changed that.

[wisblue]

And?  I believe it is possible.   I have said so since day 1.  Nothing has changed that.

Just curious.

Usually when people say they are optimistic about a successful outcome it means that they are confident that it will happen, not just that it is possible. But you don't seem to be using the word that way.

[MU82]

It looks like St. John's is gonna be a #2 seed. We played right with them both at home and on the road. We've played pretty darn well the last two weeks, every bit as well as many teams that will be seeded higher than us in the tournament.

We'll need some shots to go in, both 3s and FTs, but not crazy percentages. Of course, dozens of other teams can say the same thing. It's one reason the NCAAT is so much fun.

I'll wait to see what the bracket looks like before I make any formal predictions, but we certainly are playing well enough to win a couple/few NCAAT games.

[Pakuni]

Since the Villanova game, they've played well. The L at UCONN was close despite shooting 4-22 for 3. The OT loss, vs one of the best teams in the nation was while shooting 12-22 from FT. If MU shoots even below average in both games, they're entering the BET on a run. Overall, they're playing well and they'll upset someone to get into the S16. There isn't a team they can't play with. Catch a break, and go to SA!

Are you really playing well when you shoot 4-for-22 from three? Or 12-22 from the line?
Seems like those are important factors to consider when judging how well a team is performing.

You're right that if this team can "put it all together" they can compete. Problem is, they haven't put it all together, at least against a quality opponent, in two months.
We all hope they can buck the trends, but that's a lot easier said on Scoop than done IRL.

[MU82]

Are you really playing well when you shoot 4-for-22 from three? Or 12-22 from the line?
Seems like those are important factors to consider when judging how well a team is performing.

You're right that if this team can "put it all together" they can compete. Problem is, they haven't put it all together, at least against a quality opponent, in two months.
We all hope they can buck the trends, but that's a lot easier said on Scoop than done IRL.

I actually do believe you can "play well" even if you don't shoot well.

St. John's is the embodiment of that. They are last in the conference in 3PT% and next-to-last in FT%, but they do so many other things extremely well (especially play defense and rebound) that they can overcome their poor shooting. I happen to think they've played very well; don't you?

IMHO, the main knock against "played well but ... " for Marquette is that, unlike St. John's, we haven't been able to get it done at the end of close games against good teams. That's fair criticism.

I nonetheless remain optimistic because I do think we're capable of shooting well enough to win some more games this season. The losses to UConn and St. John's suggest to me that we're real close.

Others can disagree; that's what this board is for. But I do wish that rip-jobs and pessimism would be put in threads that aren't specifically about "Reason for optimism." (FWIW, I don't think your comment was a rip-job or overly pessimistic, Pak.)