What has changed with Marquette and is it sustainable?

[PaintTouches]

Marquette has played 14 games in 2026 after playing 14 in 2025, this season. In both segments it has gone 5-9. If the record is equally miserable, why do I feel this burst of excitement? This and much more at the link.
LINK HERE

[GoldenWarrior11]

The James/Stevens/Parham group (and I'd even throw Owens in there) has gotten much better and more confident over the course of the season.  It's obviously a great group to build around and add pieces in this portal cycle.  They don't get to where they are without the lumps (and frustrations) with the early season lineups with Jones, Hamilton and Lowery. 

As much growth and development a single transfer would have had (either a true center to push Gold more to the forward position, a shooting guard that could have played off the slashing abilities of Ross more, or a point guard to help facilitate looks within the offense), the staff bet on our guys, and thought they could make jumps that did not pan out.

I don't think they will not make the same mistake twice going into next season. 

[BM1090]

Bubble Team

[WhiteTrash]

What has change? Playing all BE teams.
MU has improved some not still a good team. Even setting the brutal GU game aside, MU has not played all that well if you actually watch the games. The level of play is off significantly from the past four year.

The good news is, I feel, that it is 95% due to talent (I'd say 100% but Shaka still puts Hamilton into the games). IMO Shaka's offense still looks good, he seems more energized and engaged compared to November & December. I'd make MU stock a "BUY". 

[panda]

Bubble Team

Struggling to see how the 58th ranked team is considered a bubble team

[BM1090]

Struggling to see how the 58th ranked team is considered a bubble team

Lots of teams ranked between 45-65 are on the bubble. This is metrically what a bubble team looks like. Game results have lagged behind, obviously. Hopefully they finish strong to carry into next year a bit.

[panda]

Lots of teams ranked between 45-65 are on the bubble. This is metrically what a bubble team looks like. Game results have lagged behind, obviously. Hopefully they finish strong to carry into next year a bit.

We're not first four out.

We're not next four out.

We're not next next four out.

We're not next next next four out.

We land in the next next next next four out.

Never heard next to the fourth power team out discussed as a bubble team.

[BM1090]

I think you're misunderstanding my point. We're obviously not a bubble team.

My point is and has always been, for almost two months now, metrically we've been playing like a bubble team. Nothing more.