Gotta win 3 out of 5

[its haLL baLL]

We've gotta win 3 out of 5 to solidify our spot in the NCAA's before the Big East Tournament

@SJU
Providence
Xavier
@Butler
@DePaul

In years past, I would expect us to come up short, but this group is different. I'm not saying we will definitely get it done, but for the first time in a long time I am optimistic about our chances. Great job this season by the players and staff. Lets keep it rolling!

 

[cernjSHU]

They win 3 out of 5, they will get a pretty decent seed in the tournament. They are in the tournament with 2 more wins.

 

[TomD82]

3 out of 5 plus 1 win in the BET might keep us out of the 8-9 seed line which is huge.

 

[Piratz]

I was hoping for 21-9, 11-7 to hopefully avoid all the Bubble nonsense. Sweeping the two road games this week were paramount in getting there, so let's take care of business against St. John's on Sunday.

Then we just need to split a tough final 4. You don't want to go on a losing streak anyway.

 

[its haLL baLL]

3 out of 5 avoids the bubble, regardless of losing our first game in the BET, IMO. A lot could change between then and now, but at 21-9 and 11-7 I don't see how they could leave us on the bubble.

 

[Save Continental]

I was hoping for 21-9, 11-7 to hopefully avoid all the Bubble nonsense. Sweeping the two road games this week were paramount in getting there, so let's take care of business against St. John's on Sunday.

Then we just need to split a tough final 4. You don't want to go on a losing streak anyway.

Wouldn't it be nice to go into the BET with a head of steam, and not worrying about how many games we need to win to feel safe? It's been 12 years since we felt that way.

 

[SOBO1]

I think 11 wins puts us in the 8/9 game.

Personally, I would prefer a 10, 11 or even 12 over a 8/9. I think that there is a better chance to advance to second weekend.

 

[Piratz]

Wouldn't it be nice to go into the BET with a head of steam, and not worrying about how many games we need to win to feel safe? It's been 12 years since we felt that way.

It would be awesome.

Even the last time - in 2004 - we had that heartbreaker to Villanova in the first round and couldn't enjoy. I would love to head to MSG as secure as possible and enjoy a win or two.

And if we could ever squeeze into the BET finals it would be just an amazing night, win or lose.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

3 out of 5 plus 1 win in the BET might keep us out of the 8-9 seed line which is huge.

In most years I would hate facing a top team 2nd round, but there really is not much of difference between 1 and 2 seeds this year. There aren't those dominant teams.

 

[Izo]

Butler has a very favorable schedule even with a game at#1 Villanova , could and should win at Georgetown , then plays Marquette and Seton Hall at home ,could end at 10-8 . Seton Hall has a more difficult schedule even with Providence and Xavier at home . And we should beat St Johns and DePaul even though away games . The away game at Butler will be tough .

Don't understand why Big East only gets 4 teams in ,according to Lunardi's Bracketology . Lunardi has us either as us an 8 or 9 seed or an 11 seed ,depending on the up dates

 

[SOBO1]

In most years I would hate facing a top team 2nd round, but there really is not much of difference between 1 and 2 seeds this year. There aren't those dominant teams.

I think you are spot on. 8/9 seed is horrible, but if you are going to get put there this is the year for it. There aren't any great teams this year. I think this same Villanova team would be a 2/3 seed in a different year and they have a good chance at being the top overall seed.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

Seems pretty clear to me that Butler and SHU are in barring a collapse from either. That's 5 teams and more than respectable

 

[Piratefan2009]

They win 3 out of 5, they will get a pretty decent seed in the tournament. They are in the tournament with 2 more wins.

Not sure about that. Our RPI isn't great. Losing to Prov, X, and Butler would hurt more than wins over SJU and Depaul would help if it worked out that way. Could absolutely see us being left behind by the committee because of our soft OOC. It hasn't helped that WSU feel off and both Georgia and Ole Miss pooped out.

 

[blueice2011]

As much as my fingers want to type this, my heart still is telling me we need more focus on what is really important. One Game at a time. We are definitely not there yet and if anyone remembers the year of the Rutgers/DePaul games we needed and didn't take care of business, well enough said. Talking to my son last night, we are close enough where we can taste it, but beating Butler in their building is extremely difficult, beating Providence a second time in the same season, and beating Xavier in any building is going to take a Herculean effort. That is what makes this St. Johns game so important and I sure hope we do not lose focus. I am so pro SHU. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[shu09]

In most years I would hate facing a top team 2nd round, but there really is not much of difference between 1 and 2 seeds this year. There aren't those dominant teams.

We have been agreeing a lot lately. LOL. I was just about to post the same thing before I saw this. Outside of Kansas and maybe UNC and Michigan State, I don't fear any of the top seeds this year. Just hope we don't get matched up with one of those if we're in the 8/9 game.

 

[Piratefan2009]

As much as my fingers want to type this, my heart still is telling me we need more focus on what is really important. One Game at a time. We are definitely not there yet and if anyone remembers the year of the Rutgers/DePaul games we needed and didn't take care of business, well enough said. Talking to my son last night, we are close enough where we can taste it, but beating Butler in their building is extremely difficult, beating Providence a second time in the same season, and beating Xavier in any building is going to take a Herculean effort. That is what makes this St. Johns game so important and I sure hope we do not lose focus. I am so pro SHU. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm least worried about St. Johns and Depaul. If we lose either one we don't deserve a bid. Good teams win the games they should. We also didn't turn up to beat the top 25 teams in conference, and didn't schedule hard enough to play more top teams OOC. I expect us to beat the bottom two teams in the league and will be disappointed if we lose either one. I don't expect us to win the other games, but that is what will be the "go ahead" that we are a tournament team that can rise above.

 

[Piratz]

Not sure about that. Our RPI isn't great. Losing to Prov, X, and Butler would hurt more than wins over SJU and Depaul would help if it worked out that way. Could absolutely see us being left behind by the committee because of our soft OOC. It hasn't helped that WSU feel off and both Georgia and Ole Miss pooped out.

All depends on how we get there. Losing to SJU or DePaul are RPI sabotaging. We cannot leave anything to chance. Take the opening and knock down the door. I would feel better about the 11-7 though.

Right now the team only has two Top 50 RPI wins, but not a bad loss either. Firmly in the field.

18-7, 8-5
6-4 on the road, 2-1 neutral
RPI = #42
Non-conference RPI = #71
KenPom #31

Wins
at #37 Providence
#50 Wichita State
#73 Georgia
at #83 Creighton
#86 Georgetown
at #86 Georgetown
#87 Ole Miss (neutral)

Losses
#83 Creighton
#90 Long Beach State

 

[shupat08]

FS1 last night showed LBSU as a "bad loss"... I was surprised by that, especially from FS1.

 

[SOBO1]

Right now the team only has two Top 50 RPI wins, but not a bad loss either. Firmly in the field.


Wins

#50 Wichita State

I didn't know Wichita St broke into the top 50. That's great news.