26-27 Predictions

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Predict 18 and 14. Miss NCAA but team is very much improved versus last year.

IDK that 18-14 would miss the NCAAT now that the field has been expanded. Last year only seven high major teams that had 18 or more regular season wins missed the tournament:

20-10 California
20-11 Seton Hall
20-11 Stanford
19-12 Virginia Tech
18-13 Indiana
18-13 West Virginia
18-13 Oklahoma State

With eight additional spots, over half of them...or high major teams with less than 18 regular season wins probably get into the tournament. We know that three of them for sure would have made it because they were in the first four out (Auburn, Indiana, Oklahoma).

Additionally, all seven played extremely weak non-conference schedules. Marquette's will be considerably tougher, meaning 18 wins would probably be enough.

[Captain Quette]

I suppose the number of Q1 wins in that 18 would be important plus I did not include performance in BE tourney. Trying to be consistent w my overall perspective for next year that we will be a better team but perhaps only slightly above .500.

Definitely still shell shocked from last year.

[Shooter McGavin]

I suppose the number of Q1 wins in that 18 would be important plus I did not include performance in BE tourney. Trying to be consistent w my overall perspective for next year that we will be a better team but perhaps only slightly above .500.

Definitely still shell shocked from last year.

Would not represent progress and nearly the entire roster would need to be replaced.   

[Captain Quette]

6 more wins, better record in BE, players having improved seasons, contesting for ncaa bid. That would be improvement. Think a distinction is expectations of what fans think is a better season. My expectations are tempered for next year.

We need significant YoY development from current players and new guys to be talent upgrades. Otherwise in the 15 to 18 win range. 

[Shooter McGavin]

If they go into the season with your expectations, the staff has lost its way.  Last year was hopefully a one off. There were many reasons for it.  Poor returning talent evaluation by coaches, poor in game coaching decisions for half the year because of it and the best players being underclassmen with little to no experience).  I think they have addressed many of those those concerns with retention and the portal. Depth is a problem.  Need to be healthy.  But if healthy they should be better than 18 wins.  I am not taking the record last year as a baseline for improvement. We should all flush that down the toilet. 

[Captain Quette]

Shooter. I was wrong with my predictions last year and could be again this year. A lot of unknown variables at this point generating a lot of different opinion on WL record for next year. I think what you suggest is very feasible, reasonable. After Kolek and Oso left, it has been a prolonged, slow decline. Will next year stop this trend.....TBD. Go Marquette!

[Jay Bee]

After Kolek and Oso left, it has been a prolonged, slow decline. Will next year stop this trend.....TBD. Go Marquette!

To be fair (accurate), the year before last MU was 18-3 (9-1) and rolling post-Oso and Tyler.

[Captain Quette]

JB. Good fact, hurting my thesis. I remember the good Ole days w fondness.

[hawk]

While last season has left an emotional scar for sure, I sincerely doubt there is any chance of a repeat.  The boys finished way better than they started last season.  The preseason T-Rank last year was 53.  This year it is 29.  Torvik has MU 4th behind St. Johns, U Conn and Villanova.  Turn the page fellas, going to be a good year. 20-12 overall and 12-8 in conference.  dancing in March again.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/scouting_col/status/2100405142826684499?s=61

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://x.com/scouting_col/status/2100405142826684499?s=61

I like that he ranks us higher than most...but I question the legitimacy of a preseason ranking with UAB in the top 20 and Toledo in the top 50.

[Scoop Snoop]

I like that he ranks us higher than most...but I question the legitimacy of a preseason ranking with UAB in the top 20 and Toledo in the top 50.

And where is Xavier in his list?

Then admitting that he forgot Michigan, and adding they would be 10-15 does not instill confidence. I like Marquette at 26, but we need to see other forecasters' lists that place us somewhere around there. I have trouble taking this guy very seriously.