Wednesday, January 04, 2006

MU 94- UCONN 79

Wow, what a game. I'm happy to say that I was dead wrong with the post I wrote below. A couple of things stood out to me.

1. UConn played and acted as if they were the #2 team in America and that alone would carry them to victory. When they came out for warmups before the game, the MU student section booed. One UConn player put his hand up to his ear as if to say, "I can't hear you." I thought that was really arrogant. The play that defined the game happened in the second half. Rudy Gay made an athletic rebound/ put back and screamed and pounded his chest at the MU student section. Promptly, he lost Novak through a screen on the other end and Novak hit a 3. With all of the negatives of UConn in the media, I would like to add that I do not want to see them again until the championship of the Big East tournament. They are big and athletic.

2. Marquette is really benefitting from the athletic freshmen. James and McNeal can get to the basket and also see the floor for the shooters (last Novak and Chapman as well). No offense to Diener, but he couldn't create the space that those two did last night to dish after they got in the lane.

3. The crowd was great, I really enjoyed the game. I still think we need one more big win to solidify our chances for the NCAA. Marquette was awesome last night and hopefully they can carry it on to Saturday's matchup.

Monday, January 02, 2006

The Big East Begins

Tommorrow, I'm headed up to Milwaukee for the UConn game. I'm not expecting much from MU, especially with the Wes Matthews injury, but who knows what can happen. I hope the atmosphere can match some of great C-USA games of the Wade/Diener seasons. I thought I would put down what I thought MU would do in their conference games and their chances of getting to the tournament.

UConn. L
Cincy L
@ Seton Hall L
@ West Virgina L
@ Depaul L
ND W
Depaul W
@ Pittsburgh L
St. John's W
@ Villanova L
@ Rutgers L
Geogetown W
Pittsburgh L
@ ND L
@ Louisville L
Providence W

5-11. I don't see us playing well on the road, obviously. I think that can improve though and they will be better at the end of the season. To make the tournament though, I really think they only need to go 8-8 with that schedule and make the tournament. We shall see. As for tommorrow night, UConn. 75- MU 64.