I like it that nobody is talking about MU

[MUFanInGreenBay]

making any kind of run in this tourney. Honestly, I wouldn't expect anybody to be talking about us making a run either. We've been very up and down all year. With that in mind, I actually think we're going to surprise some people and make the Sweet 16. This team showed me something in that BET under the bright lights that was encouraging - they didn't show that deer in the headlight look. I think the last 2 years we've played like we were scared at the start of our two NCAA 1st round games and that really put us in a hole that was just too big to dig out of. I think the opposite will happen this year. I see us coming out and jumping on the opponents and knocking them back on their heels. This team will be coming in very hungry and much more confident in their abilities.

I know a potential 2nd round matchup with Stanford would obviously be a tall order with those two 7 footers, however, they're not that type of big team(like Louisville and UCONN) that along with their height can match our athleticism and speed in the backcourt. Stanford is built more like UW than like Louisville and UCONN, which gives me optimism. I must say though the Lopez brothers are much better than guys like Brian Butch and Greg Stiemsma - they're very athletic and not your typical tall, white 7 foot plodder. I really think we're going to beat UK and then pull off a shocker by upsetting Stanford though. The Lopez boys are going to get their points and rebounds, but I think we're going to get the game at our speed(cause lots of turnovers and get deflections) like we did against Gtown. I think we can slow down the Lopez twins somewhat by effectively denying entry passes with great ball pressure on Stanford's guards, keep them from getting deep post position close to the hoop and force them to put the ball on the floor some, and get them running a lot by really pushing the tempo. Call me crazy, but I think we're in for a very exciting weekend folks.   

[Markusquette]

I feel the same way you do this year.  Of course, we have had our ups and downs, but we have proved that we can compete and beat any team in the nation.  They key vs. Stanford is getting the game to our tempo like you said, and containing the Lopez brothers.  We obviously have more trouble vs. the big guys, but our interior defense really is not that bad at times.  The key to the Stanford match-up vs. the bigs is just standing out ground and not getting dumb fouls.  They will probably get a good share of the team's points, but if we can just play aggressive, smart defense, we can really hurt them with our fast breaks and points off of turnovers. 

[NavinRJohnson]

Not a bad deal being the fashionable pick to be upset. When you believe you are the better team, but nobody in the world seems to think you're going to win, that in and of itself should provide more than enough motivation. Kind of like our home game against ND - all of the so called experts picked ND, and TC made a point of pointing that out to the players and fans alike. MU sure played like they had something to prove in that one, and they certainly are going to feel they have something to prove in this one, for many reasons.

Still today I am relatively happy with the draw and I think we have a good shot. I said after the Pitt game, I would not want to be teh team that has to play MU in the first round, and I haven't changed my mind. I think Thursday will be a good day.