Most Important Non-Con Game?

[1SE]

Great win for the boys last night. But which non-con game is most important to win? Aside from flippant answers ("the next one", "all of them") I think there are strong arguments to be made for any number of the games. Last night was a first in 20 years win. Beating UCLA basically ensures we have one of the strongest non-con schedules around. Win it all in Maui and we're #1 and the team to beat for the rest of the year. Beating the rodents and ND sucks are always highlights. Shaka might want UT more than any of them.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Ucla no question.

[brewcity77]

It's UCLA and there's no real debate. You can either go to Maui, win, and get three quality games, or you can go lose, get a D2 game that is all downside, and hope to get one good opponent in the third game.

[StillAWarrior]

It's UCLA and there's no real debate. You can either go to Maui, win, and get three quality games, or you can go lose, get a D2 game that is all downside, and hope to get one good opponent in the third game.

Thanks for saving me from having to type all that.

[1SE]

It's UCLA and there's no real debate. You can either go to Maui, win, and get three quality games, or you can go lose, get a D2 game that is all downside, and hope to get one good opponent in the third game.

From a schedule standpoint, sure. But one could argue that's COLE thinking "we need a strong schedule to make our tournament case." We don't need to make a tournament case. We need to make our 1 seed case - our one seed case is best served by winning it all in Maui.

I get that we don't get to game 3 if we don't win games 1 and 2, but, by that same logic, the most important game in the tournament will be our first round game. If (when) we make the Maui Final - one could easily argue that's the most important non-con game. 

This is a year for hardware, not moral victories.

[Goose]

The Maui tournament is extremely important for MU to be in position to get a 1 or 2 seed in the spring. UCLA is big to get us in position for bigger games next week. IMO, next week is the biggest week of MU basketball in my lifetime, aside from NCAA runs. National stage, high ranking and tough competition is what we have waited a long time to experience. One game at time and let's see what happens.

[brewcity77]

From a schedule standpoint, sure. But one could argue that's COLE thinking "we need a strong schedule to make our tournament case." We don't need to make a tournament case. We need to make our 1 seed case - our one seed case is best served by winning it all in Maui.

I get that we don't get to game 3 if we don't win games 1 and 2, but, by that same logic, the most important game in the tournament will be our first round game. If (when) we make the Maui Final - one could easily argue that's the most important non-con game. 

This is a year for hardware, not moral victories.

Our 1-seed case is certainly bolstered by winning Maui, but I think it's very realistic to think that a team that goes 1-2 in Maui may end up a 1-seed. If Marquette wins the Big East, Kansas the Big 12, Purdue the Big 10, and Tennessee the SEC are those not the most likely 1-seeds? That would be the four best teams from what should be the four best conferences. If Maui goes to plan, I feel confident saying the quality of the Final Four on the island will be better than the quality of the Final Four in Arizona.

[We R Final Four]

Gotta beat UCLA in order to play Rock Chalk.

[MuggsyB]

I think the UCLA game is enormous for all of the reasons mentioned here.  That said the Texas game is massive as well.  It will set the tone for DOMINATING and PROTECTING our home floor for the entire season.  I absolutely love our non-c schedule.  Dickinson is a concern but a solvable problem.  I would try to get under his skin a bit if we face them.   

[Shooter McGavin]

Gotta beat UCLA in order to play Rock Chalk.

This.  I want Kansas and then Purdue and a number one ranking.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

From a schedule standpoint, sure. But one could argue that's COLE thinking "we need a strong schedule to make our tournament case." We don't need to make a tournament case. We need to make our 1 seed case - our one seed case is best served by winning it all in Maui.

I get that we don't get to game 3 if we don't win games 1 and 2, but, by that same logic, the most important game in the tournament will be our first round game. If (when) we make the Maui Final - one could easily argue that's the most important non-con game. 

This is a year for hardware, not moral victories.

It has nothing to do with moral victories.  Winning the first game gets you a date with Kansas. Losing it gets you a date with Chaminade. You want to test yourself against the best - not play a minor league team. Its not just about tournament seeding, its also about watching an enjoyable game.

[Herman Cain]

It's UCLA and there's no real debate. You can either go to Maui, win, and get three quality games, or you can go lose, get a D2 game that is all downside, and hope to get one good opponent in the third game.

I agree with this analysis

[Dr. Blackheart]

The next game

[Jay Bee]

Maui organizers holding back tickets from the Marquette masses. Bizarre.

Mahalo

[StillAWarrior]

The next game

In this instance, you're absolutely right. Then, after they beat UCLA, you'll be right again.

[LON]

Maui organizers holding back tickets from the Marquette masses. Bizarre.

Mahalo

We couldn't get anything specific for MU so we went with the all access thing.

[Mu8891]

JB - they are holding back tickets?

What are you basing that on ?


Re: original question- UCLA.  Obviously

[Jay Bee]

JB - they are holding back tickets?

What are you basing that on ?

They have not started selling upper level tix to the masses yet. People continue to ask. Their x account says, "stay tuned for info on tix!", even as of yesterday. It's effin Wednesday before the tourney - wtf?

[Dr. Blackheart]

They have not started selling upper level tix to the masses yet. People continue to ask. Their x account says, "stay tuned for info on tix!", even as of yesterday. It's effin Wednesday before the tourney - wtf?

Goldilocks approach.  Good-Better-Best. Holding back the good inventory to panic you into buying better.

[Verypolitical Warrior]

From a schedule standpoint, sure. But one could argue that's COLE thinking "we need a strong schedule to make our tournament case." We don't need to make a tournament case. We need to make our 1 seed case - our one seed case is best served by winning it all in Maui.

I get that we don't get to game 3 if we don't win games 1 and 2, but, by that same logic, the most important game in the tournament will be our first round game. If (when) we make the Maui Final - one could easily argue that's the most important non-con game. 

This is a year for hardware, not moral victories.

Has nothing to do with moral victories or COLE. It has everything to do with the fact that a loss means you might leave HI where your best win is Chaminade or Syracuse. It's not a death knell but if you have championship aspirations, you want a chance to measure yourself against the best.

I'd bet a win against UCLA all but locks in a top 10 noncon SOS

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Has nothing to do with moral victories or COLE. It has everything to do with the fact that a loss means you might leave HI where your best win is Chaminade or Syracuse. It's not a death knell but if you have championship aspirations, you want a chance to measure yourself against the best.

I'd bet a win against UCLA all but locks in a top 10 noncon SOS

There is a very good chance one of Gonzaga or Purdue plays in the consolation game. The Purdue vs Gonzaga loser should beat Syracuse.

Obviously, we want to be in the winner's bracket.  But at a minimum, avoid Syracuse.  A loss to UCLA and win against Gonzaga/Purdue isn't the end of the world.

That said, let's win the whole f-ing thing.

[Herman Cain]

They have not started selling upper level tix to the masses yet. People continue to ask. Their x account says, "stay tuned for info on tix!", even as of yesterday. It's effin Wednesday before the tourney - wtf?

I have done a lot of business in Hawaii. They operate at a slower pace . 

[wadesworld]

The next game

This.  They're all big this year.

[rocky_warrior]

Southern.  Drop that one and we're screwed.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I have done a lot of business in Hawaii. They operate at a slower pace .

Kemper is based in Northbrook.