Monday's Big East Games (6)

[MUBoxer]

Boxer, why so sensitive in the face of compliments? You're right though, that even the best programs may have a down year here and there. It happens. The truth of the matter is that MU may not make the tourney for the 3rd straight year. That's not one down year like Nova or Butler as you suggest. That's 3. You guys, to date, join DePaul and SHU as the only teams not to make a tourney in the nBE.

I think that will change soon but so far it hasn't happened and there really is no guarantee that it will happen this year or next. So lighten up a little Francis.

It's been a rough couple years forgive me for being on edge trying to remind everybody where Marquette's tradition stands all time. Seeing as the year is not over and MU is clearly gaining traction it is too early to make a statement on this year. I'd argue if we make the tournament this year we are still just as consistent as any other program. As proof of this I offer the stat that in the time frame I'm talking about, or even extending it to 2000 so it's not specifically favored for MU, we have the same number of NCAA appearances as Nova, same number of Sweet 16s, same number of Elite 8s, same number of Final fours. How can one take that time slot and say that Nova has been more consistent or any better than Marquette? So if he's specifically talking about the NBE, that's fine we've been down but at the same time it hasn't been a long enough time for anyone to be consistently anything without taking into account previous recent success. That's why I just said it's easy to pass judgement when you're on top.

Also the fact that Novaball was being annoying on the Leitao thread probably made me a bit confrontational toward him.

[NovaBall]

Good point Gumby

I almost assume at the start that Nova, X, and Butler are always going to be good. Just too much institutional consistency not to be. Georgetown is right up there too, but for whatever reason I have them a peg down. That's four teams that you expect to dance 75% of the time. Marquette could also join that group, but with a new coach you want to see it play out a bit first. Providence seems more like a cyclical team, but I have a lot of confidence in Cooley. Creighton to me is the other team capable of making the dance more often than not. I think St. John's is more of the type of team to make the dance 30% of the time, along with Seton Hall.

If we can consistently put 50-60% of our teams in the dance, that's pretty crazy. The tourney wins will come over time, and recruiting will only keep improving.

It's good for you to be on top right now and make those judgements but just to keep you grounded I'm going to remind you that even you guys had a god awful 2012 season, Butler is recently removed from a terrible season. Even the most consistent programs, like say 12straight post seasons 10/12 NCAA tournaments prior to the NBE, fall occasionally and while we're down the program itself still has a consistent percentage (with tournament success) that 90% of the basketball world would kill for including half of our conference.

Has as much to do with coaching transition as anything. Although I have always stated that I think buzz Williams was a clown who succeeded because Marquette is an awesome job, and I think it is a great place for coaches to succeed. And I have confidence in wojo, but he is still an unknown commodity.