Quote from: MuggsyB on March 09, 2025, 12:00:23 PMEver?

Ever again

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 09, 2025, 12:26:54 PMAnyone else picture Willie like this?

Full disclosure: I'm a grumpy old man.

Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 09, 2025, 12:16:33 PMNobody on here thinks they are playing great. They are looking better and have put together a respectable season.

I actually think we're playing pretty well lately. I don't think I'm the only one, but maybe I am.

I agree we have put together a respectable season. Like most if not all others here, I wish it were even better; I'd obviously much rather be a 1-3 seed than a 7-8 seed. But I'm not going to make any demands or threats I won't keep.

The whole, "If you aren't pizzed off, it means you accept losing" thing is ridiculous. What does it even mean?

If someone is really being honest about it being "unacceptable" that Marquette reached the NCAAT for a fourth straight year, this time as a 7-8 seed, they should go find a more acceptable program to support.

I agree. I think if we get a 6 seed (we probably won't anymore) we make the sweet 16

Quote from: MU82 on March 09, 2025, 02:43:28 PMI actually think we're playing pretty well lately. I don't think I'm the only one, but maybe I am.

I agree we have put together a respectable season. Like most if not all others here, I wish it were even better; I'd obviously much rather be a 1-3 seed than a 7-8 seed. But I'm not going to make any demands or threats I won't keep.

The whole, "If you aren't pizzed off, it means you accept losing" thing is ridiculous. What does it even mean?

If someone is really being honest about it being "unacceptable" that Marquette reached the NCAAT for a fourth straight year, this time as a 7-8 seed, they should go find a more acceptable program to support.

Is disappointed a better word? If you're not disappointed with how the season has gone since Feb 1st (or even January 5th) it would certainly seem to suggest that high-level regular-season success isn't a metric you value in the program (or you measure high-level success by a metric other than W/Ls and NCAAT seeding)  - that's fine - you don't have to - but it also seems weird to disparage the fandom of those that do.

We went from an inside-track to a 2-seed (which would have brought a very high likelihood of a trip to the S16), and pretty much a lock for a protected seed, to a team in the 7-9 range which means a 1st round win is basically a coin-flip.

If there's a silver lining (and I'm not sure there is) being a worse seed does give us an opportunity to really overperform in the NCAAT, something Shaka has not yet done (obviously harder to do as a better seed). A Cinderella run to the E8 or beyond would certainly wash all the bitter taste of the past 6 weeks from my mouth. 

I think you can be disappointed in how the season has played out but hold out hope for a bit of a run in the NCAAs. I mean, why not?

Quote from: The Sultan on March 10, 2025, 08:06:37 AMI think you can be disappointed in how the season has played out but hold out hope for a bit of a run in the NCAAs. I mean, why not?

Fool's gold.  Best thing that can happen to this program is for it to completely tank and bottom out.  Shaka has shown he can't compete with the Big Dogs and keep up with them.  A deep run like NC State just to prolong the agony would be a detriment to the program

Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 10, 2025, 08:11:39 AMFool's gold.  Best thing that can happen to this program is for it to completely tank and bottom out.  Shaka has shown he can't compete with the Big Dogs and keep up with them.  A deep run like NC State just to prolong the agony would be a detriment to the program

Good point. The last thing this program needs is a Final Four appearance. Even worse would be a national championship. Then we'll be saddled with Shaka for awhile.

Quote from: The Sultan on March 10, 2025, 08:15:54 AMGood point. The last thing this program needs is a Final Four appearance. Even worse would be a national championship. Then we'll be saddled with Shaka for awhile.

I'd hate to win a national title.  It might erase the greatness of Jim Chones

Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 10, 2025, 08:42:28 AMI'd hate to win a national title.  It might erase the greatness of Jim Chones

Yes, that time he manhandled Kareem was something.

Quote from: The Sultan on March 10, 2025, 08:15:54 AMGood point. The last thing this program needs is a Final Four appearance. Even worse would be a national championship. Then we'll be saddled with Shaka for awhile.

Imagine, having to extend him!

Quote from: The Sultan on March 10, 2025, 08:15:54 AMGood point. The last thing this program needs is a Final Four appearance. Even worse would be a national championship. Then we'll be saddled with Shaka for awhile.

All Shaka needs to do is copy Marcus Freeman.  Bench Stevie for Zaide, bench Jop for Royce, and most importantly, bench Ben for Caedin.

Then we too can lose a national title game. And the only reason Shaka will lose the title game is to keep the team hungry for next year.

Quote from: 1SE on March 10, 2025, 05:25:16 AMIs disappointed a better word? If you're not disappointed with how the season has gone since Feb 1st (or even January 5th) it would certainly seem to suggest that high-level regular-season success isn't a metric you value in the program (or you measure high-level success by a metric other than W/Ls and NCAAT seeding)  - that's fine - you don't have to - but it also seems weird to disparage the fandom of those that do.

We went from an inside-track to a 2-seed (which would have brought a very high likelihood of a trip to the S16), and pretty much a lock for a protected seed, to a team in the 7-9 range which means a 1st round win is basically a coin-flip.

If there's a silver lining (and I'm not sure there is) being a worse seed does give us an opportunity to really overperform in the NCAAT, something Shaka has not yet done (obviously harder to do as a better seed). A Cinderella run to the E8 or beyond would certainly wash all the bitter taste of the past 6 weeks from my mouth. 

I'd say sure, disappointed is a better word. Like you, I'm disappointed that we didn't play as well in conference as we did before that. FWIW, I think it's OK to be disappointed - even very disappointed - while also acknowledging that we've played pretty well the last couple of weeks. That's where I am.

But I "accept" where Marquette stands right now because I'm not going to stop being a fan of the program. Doesn't that apply to you, too?

So yes, I poke fun at those who say they aren't gonna accept it but then stick around to accept it. I mean, if someone isn't gonna accept it ... see ya!

No idea how good The Athletic is at bracketology, but their latest bracket favors Marquette about as much as any could right now.

They have us playing in Cleveland as a 7-seed, facing Utah State, with Tennessee as the 2. St. John's is the 3 in the region. I wouldn't bet on us winning a bunch of games, but there are a whole lot worse roads to advancing than that one.

Quote from: MU82 on March 11, 2025, 09:52:18 AMNo idea how good The Athletic is at bracketology, but their latest bracket favors Marquette about as much as any could right now.

They have us playing in Cleveland as a 7-seed, facing Utah State, with Tennessee as the 2. St. John's is the 3 in the region. I wouldn't bet on us winning a bunch of games, but there are a whole lot worse roads to advancing than that one.

Tennessee is very tough and very good defensively. That's not a team I'd look forward to playing.

Quote from: MU82 on March 11, 2025, 09:52:18 AMNo idea how good The Athletic is at bracketology, but their latest bracket favors Marquette about as much as any could right now.

They have us playing in Cleveland as a 7-seed, facing Utah State, with Tennessee as the 2. St. John's is the 3 in the region. I wouldn't bet on us winning a bunch of games, but there are a whole lot worse roads to advancing than that one.

Bad draw - the legend of the legendary basketball coach Stew Morrill would take us out...

Quote from: PointWarrior on March 11, 2025, 10:04:08 AMBad draw - the legend of the legendary basketball coach Stew Morrill would take us out...

Hologram Al vs. Hologram Stew

EDIT:  Oops Stew's not dead.

We are the first team listed in Jeff Eisenberg's "5 opponents NCAA tourney teams want to draw on Selection Sunday"

Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 22-9, 13-7 Big East | Projected seed: No. 6

On Friday, Jan. 3, Marquette comfortably defeated Creighton to improve its record to 13-2 and cement its place in the top eight in the AP poll. Hard as it may be to believe, that was the last NCAA tournament-caliber opponent that the Golden Eagles have beaten.

Since then, Marquette has performed like the No. 46 team in the country, according to Bart Torvik's rankings. The best win Marquette has notched during that span is ... at Georgetown? Or maybe home against Villanova? The Golden Eagles dropped all six games against fellow top-five Big East teams since early January, the last one via a St. John's buzzer beater on senior night.

Marquette is almost certain to be a single-digit seed on Selection Sunday thanks to non-league victories over the likes of Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue, Georgia and George Mason. Still, if the Golden Eagles don't hit more of the open shots they're generating and don't provide more offensive support for All-American guard Kam Jones, their stay in the NCAA tournament is likely to be brief.

Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 11, 2025, 10:20:34 AMWe are the first team listed in Jeff Eisenberg's "5 opponents NCAA tourney teams want to draw on Selection Sunday"

Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 22-9, 13-7 Big East | Projected seed: No. 6

On Friday, Jan. 3, Marquette comfortably defeated Creighton to improve its record to 13-2 and cement its place in the top eight in the AP poll. Hard as it may be to believe, that was the last NCAA tournament-caliber opponent that the Golden Eagles have beaten.

Since then, Marquette has performed like the No. 46 team in the country, according to Bart Torvik's rankings. The best win Marquette has notched during that span is ... at Georgetown? Or maybe home against Villanova? The Golden Eagles dropped all six games against fellow top-five Big East teams since early January, the last one via a St. John's buzzer beater on senior night.

Marquette is almost certain to be a single-digit seed on Selection Sunday thanks to non-league victories over the likes of Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue, Georgia and George Mason. Still, if the Golden Eagles don't hit more of the open shots they're generating and don't provide more offensive support for All-American guard Kam Jones, their stay in the NCAA tournament is likely to be brief.

Honestly...perfect.

Let's go into March with a little bit of a different agenda than the past 2 years.

Quote from: wadesworld on March 11, 2025, 09:58:31 AMTennessee is very tough and very good defensively. That's not a team I'd look forward to playing.

If we're a 7, any 2 will be extremely tough. I think I'd prefer Tennessee to MSU, Florida or Alabama, the other names I've seen as 2 possibilities. But I am not deluding myself into thinking Tennessee would be easy.

Quote from: MU82 on March 11, 2025, 10:25:12 AMIf we're a 7, any 2 will be extremely tough. I think I'd prefer Tennessee to MSU, Florida or Alabama, the other names I've seen as 2 possibilities. But I am not deluding myself into thinking Tennessee would be easy.

Gimme MSU!

Their bigs could struggle to guard the perimeter and they don't have that one star. Richardson is probably their best player and he's a Freshman.

I'll take our chances with our experienced backcourt and versatile front court with redemption factor against that team.

Quote from: MU82 on March 09, 2025, 02:43:28 PMI actually think we're playing pretty well lately. I don't think I'm the only one, but maybe I am.

I agree we have put together a respectable season. Like most if not all others here, I wish it were even better; I'd obviously much rather be a 1-3 seed than a 7-8 seed. But I'm not going to make any demands or threats I won't keep.

The whole, "If you aren't pizzed off, it means you accept losing" thing is ridiculous. What does it even mean?

If someone is really being honest about it being "unacceptable" that Marquette reached the NCAAT for a fourth straight year, this time as a 7-8 seed, they should go find a more acceptable program to support.

I think we've played well the last four games compared to the month + before that. We've played like a borderline top 25 team in that short stretch.

Quote from: MU82 on March 11, 2025, 10:25:12 AMIf we're a 7, any 2 will be extremely tough. I think I'd prefer Tennessee to MSU, Florida or Alabama, the other names I've seen as 2 possibilities. But I am not deluding myself into thinking Tennessee would be easy.

Correct. Any 2 seed in this tournament would be a "bad" match-up. Gotta beat somebody.

We got a "good" match-up against NC State last year with an all-time talented MU team and still lost because we went 3-100 behind the arc. I'm less concerned about "good" and "bad" match-ups then ever before, since the 3-pointer in the great equalizer. If you're hot from 3, you can beat anyone. And the opposite holds true.

Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 11, 2025, 10:20:34 AMWe are the first team listed in Jeff Eisenberg's "5 opponents NCAA tourney teams want to draw on Selection Sunday"

Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 22-9, 13-7 Big East | Projected seed: No. 6

On Friday, Jan. 3, Marquette comfortably defeated Creighton to improve its record to 13-2 and cement its place in the top eight in the AP poll. Hard as it may be to believe, that was the last NCAA tournament-caliber opponent that the Golden Eagles have beaten.

Since then, Marquette has performed like the No. 46 team in the country, according to Bart Torvik's rankings. The best win Marquette has notched during that span is ... at Georgetown? Or maybe home against Villanova? The Golden Eagles dropped all six games against fellow top-five Big East teams since early January, the last one via a St. John's buzzer beater on senior night.

Marquette is almost certain to be a single-digit seed on Selection Sunday thanks to non-league victories over the likes of Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue, Georgia and George Mason. Still, if the Golden Eagles don't hit more of the open shots they're generating and don't provide more offensive support for All-American guard Kam Jones, their stay in the NCAA tournament is likely to be brief.

This was completely and utterly predictable. 

Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on March 11, 2025, 10:44:53 AMThis was completely and utterly predictable. 

I mean...it's not wrong.