tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35310855627505339552024-03-17T14:46:12.300-07:00Stuck in 1977A Marquette Blog With A Side Of BracketologyDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-42681440400765487612024-03-17T14:46:00.000-07:002024-03-17T14:46:10.302-07:00Bracketology: Selection Sunday<p> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Best day of the year! Final bracketology is below, and will be posted on Bracket Matrix.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Connecticut, Purdue, Houston, North Carolina</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Tennessee, Iowa State, Marquette, Arizona</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Baylor, Creighton, Duke, Illinois</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Kentucky, Kansas, Auburn, Alabama</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. BYU, San Diego State, Wisconsin, Texas Tech</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. South Carolina, St. Mary's (CA), Utah State, Florida</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Clemson, Nevada, Gonzaga, Washington State</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Dayton, Boise State, Nebraska, Texas</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Colorado State, Northwestern, TCU, Mississippi State</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Florida Atlantic, Colorado, New Mexico, Michigan State</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11. Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, Drake, North Carolina State, James Madison</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12. Grand Canyon, Samford, Yale, UAB</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">13. Duquesne, McNeese State, Vermont, College of Charleston</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">14. Akron, Oakland, Morehead State, Colgate</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">15. Western Kentucky, Long Beach State, South Dakota State, Longwood</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">16. St. Peter's, Stetson, Montana State, Wagner, Grambling, Howard</span></div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-3481242903378898372024-03-12T06:37:00.000-07:002024-03-12T06:37:06.548-07:00Bracketology: March 12 - Championship Week<p>Here. We. Go. I'll do a final post on Selection Sunday. These will be posted to <a href="https://www.bracketmatrix.com/">The Bracket Matrix</a> as usual.</p><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. Purdue, Connecticut, Houston, Tennessee</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2. North Carolina, Arizona, Marquette, Iowa State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. Baylor, Creighton, Duke, Kentucky</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4. Kansas, Alabama, Illinois, Auburn</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5. BYU, San Diego State, Clemson, South Carolina</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">6. Wisconsin, Utah State, Washington State, Dayton</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">7. Florida, Nevada, Texas Tech, Gonzaga</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">8. St. Mary's (CA), Boise State, Texas, Colorado State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">9. Northwestern, Oklahoma, Michigan State, TCU</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">10. Nebraska, Florida Atlantic, Mississippi State, Seton Hall</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">11. Virginia, St. John's, Colorado, Villanova, Drake, Richmond</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12. Princeton, South Florida, Grand Canyon, James Madison</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">13. McNeese State, Samford, UC Irvine, College of Charleston</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">14. Vermont, Akron, Oakland, Morehead State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">15. Colgate, Sam Houston State, Montana, South Dakota State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">16. Quinnipiac, Longwood, Stetson, Norfolk State, Grambling, Merrimack</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-22129616654867631322024-02-27T05:21:00.000-08:002024-02-27T05:21:31.445-08:00Bracketology: February 27<p> Latest and greatest is below. 3 weeks out!</p><p><br /></p><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;">1. Purdue, Connecticut, Houston, Arizona<br />2. North Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas, Marquette<br />3. Iowa State, Alabama, Duke, Baylor<br />4. Creighton, Auburn, San Diego State, Illinois<br />5. Wisconsin, Clemson, Kentucky, Dayton<br />6. BYU, Texas Tech, Washington State, St. Mary's (CA)<br />7. Utah State, TCU, Florida, Colorado State<br />8. South Carolina, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Florida Atlantic<br />9. Mississippi State, Northwestern, Boise State, Nebraska<br />10. Gonzaga, New Mexico, Nevada, Virginia<br />11. Wake Forest, Seton Hall, Providence, Texas, Texas A&M, Indiana State<br />12. Grand Canyon, Princeton, South Florida, McNeese State<br />13. James Madison, Samford, UC Irvine, Akron<br />14. Louisiana Tech, Vermont, College of Charleston, High Point<br />15. Youngstown St, Morehead State, Eastern Washington, Colgate<br />16. Fairfield, South Dakota State, Norfolk State, Merrimack, Lipscomb, Grambling</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-2629340132027637032024-02-05T11:51:00.000-08:002024-02-05T11:51:10.136-08:00Bracketology: February 5<p>And we're back! After a rough start to conference play (and slotting as a 4-seed), MU has won 6 straight and is up to the 2-line, slight edge over Kansas solely from beating them head-to-head on neutral turf. As always, these will be posted on <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">The Bracket Matrix</a>. I'll update every other week until Selection Sunday.</p><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. Purdue, Connecticut, Houston, North Carolina</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2. Arizona, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Marquette</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. Kansas, Alabama, Baylor, Iowa State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4. Duke, Creighton, Illinois, Dayton</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5. Kentucky, Auburn, BYU, San Diego State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">6. Utah State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Clemson</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">7. Florida Atlantic, South Carolina, TCU, Colorado State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">8. New Mexico, Utah, Northwestern, Mississippi</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">9. St. John's, Mississippi State, Memphis, Michigan State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">10. Boise State, Nebraska, Florida, St. Mary's (CA)</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">11. Texas A&M, Texas, Colorado, Seton Hall</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12. Indiana State, Providence, Washington State, Grand Canyon, Princeton, McNeese State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">13. James Madison, UC Irvine, Samford, Akron</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">14. Louisiana Tech, Drexel, Vermont, Morehead State</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">15. High Point, Eastern Washington, Colgate, Quinnipiac</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">16. South Dakota State, Youngstown St, Norfolk State, Lipscomb, Merrimack, Southern</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-83488635479700843162023-03-12T13:22:00.000-07:002023-03-12T13:22:27.104-07:00Bracketology - Selection Sunday<p>This is it folks. As always, this will be posted on the <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">Brack Matrix</a>. Seeding MU was tough. I figured they're either the top 3-seed or the bottom 2-seed. Gave them the edge since they dominated Baylor straight up. Happy Selection Sunday!</p><div style="text-align: left;">1. Alabama, Kansas, Houston, Purdue<br />2. UCLA, Texas, Arizona, Marquette<br />3. Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas State, Connecticut<br />4. Tennessee, Xavier, Indiana, Iowa State<br />5. Virginia, San Diego State, Duke, Texas A&M<br />6. TCU, Miami (FLA.), St. Mary's (CA), Kentucky<br />7. Creighton, Missouri, Northwestern, Michigan State<br />8. Florida Atlantic, Arkansas, Maryland, Memphis<br />9. West Virginia, Iowa, Illinois, Auburn<br />10. Boise State, Penn State, USC, Providence<br />11. Utah State, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Arizona State<br />12. College of Charleston, VCU, Oral Roberts, Drake<br />13. Kent State, Furman, Iona, Louisiana-Lafayette<br />14. Kennesaw State, UC Santa Barbara, Grand Canyon, Colgate<br />15. Princeton, Montana State, Vermont, NC-Asheville<br />16. Northern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Howard, Texas Southern, Fairleigh Dickinson</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-28786671159169947672023-03-06T15:01:00.001-08:002023-03-06T15:01:55.321-08:00Bracketology: March 6 - Championship Week<div style="text-align: left;">Latest and greatest is below. Now it gets interesting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. Big East Champs!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />1. Kansas, Alabama, Houston, Purdue<br />2. UCLA, Texas, Baylor, Arizona<br />3. Marquette, Kansas State, Gonzaga, Tennessee<br />4. Connecticut, Xavier, Indiana, Virginia<br />5. Miami (FLA.), St. Mary's (CA), San Diego State, TCU<br />6. Iowa State, Creighton, Kentucky, Texas A&M<br />7. Duke, Michigan State, Northwestern, Missouri<br />8. Iowa, Maryland, Florida Atlantic, Arkansas<br />9. Illinois, West Virginia, Auburn, Boise State<br />10. Memphis, Providence, USC, North Carolina State<br />11. Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Utah State, Nevada, Mississippi State, Penn State<br />12. College of Charleston, Oral Roberts, Drake, VCU<br />13. Kent St, Utah Valley, Iona, Yale<br />14. Marshall, UC Irvine, Furman, Kennesaw State<br />15. Colgate, Montana State, Vermont, Youngstown State<br />16. NC-Asheville, Merrimack, Southeast Missouri State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Norfolk St, Grambling</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-72432643980856832412023-02-27T07:30:00.000-08:002023-02-27T07:30:06.208-08:00Bracketology: February 27<div style="text-align: left;"> Latest and greatest is below. Less than 2 weeks until Selection Sunday!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Alabama, Houston, Kansas, Purdue<br />2. UCLA, Texas, Arizona, Baylor<br />3. Kansas State, Marquette, Tennessee, Gonzaga<br />4. Connecticut, Virginia, Indiana, Iowa State<br />5. Miami (FLA.), Creighton, St. Mary's (CA), San Diego State<br />6. Xavier, TCU, Maryland, Illinois<br />7. Northwestern, Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke<br />8. Providence, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Iowa<br />9. Missouri, North Carolina State, Boise State, Rutgers<br />10. Nevada, Florida Atlantic, Pittsburgh, Auburn<br />11. Memphis, West Virginia, USC, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin<br />12. Oral Roberts, College of Charleston, Bradley, VCU<br />13. Liberty, Marshall, Sam Houston St., Toledo<br />14. Iona, Yale, UC Irvine, Colgate<br />15. Montana St., Vermont, Samford, Youngstown State<br />16. NC-Asheville, Morehead State, Fairleigh Dickinson, NC Central, Grambling, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-22979694013955649352023-02-22T07:41:00.001-08:002023-02-22T07:41:52.271-08:00Bracketology: February 22<p> Latest and greatest is below. I thought MU would be on the 3-line as part of the Selection Committee's announcement on Saturday, and although they weren't then, I think they certainly are now.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br />1. Alabama, Houston, Kansas, Purdue<br />2. Texas, UCLA, Arizona, Baylor<br />3. Virginia, Tennessee, Kansas State, Marquette<br />4. Iowa State, Gonzaga, Indiana, Connecticut</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Xavier, Miami (FLA.), St. Mary's (CA), Creighton</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. TCU, San Diego State, Northwestern, Illinois<br />7. Providence, Maryland, Duke, Michigan State<br />8. Iowa, Rutgers, Arkansas, Missouri<br />9. Auburn, Texas A&M, North Carolina State, Nevada<br />10. Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State<br />11. Boise State, West Virginia, Memphis, Mississippi State, USC, Utah St.<br />12. College of Charleston, Oral Roberts, Kent State, Liberty<br />13. VCU, Bradley, Southern Miss, Sam Houston St.<br />14. Iona, Yale, UC Irvine, Colgate<br />15. Montana St., Vermont, Youngstown State, Samford<br />16. NC-Asheville, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, SIU-Edwardsville, Grambling, NC Central, Fairleigh Dickinson</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-53647329412502648992023-02-13T07:36:00.000-08:002023-02-13T07:36:06.209-08:00Bracketology: February 13<p>First of the season (albeit a week late)! Nothing crazy here. Need Wisky to win a couple games to remove Marquette's newly minted Q3 loss. Will try to update this every 1-2 weeks until Selection Sunday. As always, this will be posted on <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">The Bracket Matrix</a>.</p><div style="text-align: left;">1. Purdue, Alabama, Houston, Kansas<br />2. Arizona, Texas, UCLA, Tennessee<br />3. Baylor, Virginia, Kansas State, Xavier<br />4. Iowa State, Connecticut, Marquette, Gonzaga<br />5. Indiana, St. Mary's (CA), TCU, Creighton<br />6. San Diego State, Illinois, Rutgers, Miami (FLA.)</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. Iowa, Duke, Providence, Missouri<br />8. Maryland, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Auburn<br />9. Arkansas, Florida Atlantic, West Virginia, Nevada<br />10. Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Boise State<br />11. New Mexico, USC, Memphis, Texas A&M, Mississippi St, Oregon<br />12. College of Charleston, Oral Roberts, Liberty, Southern Miss<br />13. Dayton, Kent State, Drake, Sam Houston St<br />14. UC Irvine, Furman, Iona, Colgate<br />15. Cornell, Montana St, Youngstown State, Vermont<br />16. Longwood, Northwestern State, Wagner, SIU-Edwardsville, Grambling, Norfolk St.</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-29890705082073415912022-03-13T14:07:00.001-07:002022-03-13T14:07:15.349-07:00Final Bracketology: Selection Sunday<div style="text-align: left;"> Happy Holidays! This should be posted on <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">The Bracket Matrix</a> by tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed we somehow find our way to a 7-seed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />1. Gonzaga, Arizona, Baylor, Kansas<br />2. Kentucky, Auburn, Villanova, Tennessee<br />3. Duke, Purdue, Texas Tech, UCLA<br />4. Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Houston<br />5. Providence, Connecticut, St. Mary's (CA), Iowa<br />6. Texas, LSU, Alabama, Colorado State<br />7. USC, Michigan State, Ohio State, Boise State<br />8. Murray State, San Diego State, Seton Hall, TCU<br />9. North Carolina, Creighton, Marquette, Iowa State<br />10. Memphis, San Francisco, Loyola-Chicago, Davidson<br />11. Miami (FLA.), Virginia Tech, Indiana, Michigan<br />12. Wyoming, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Richmond, UAB, South Dakota State<br />13. Chattanooga, Vermont, New Mexico State, Yale<br />14. Akron, Montana State, St. Peter's, Colgate<br />15. Delaware, Longwood, Jacksonville State, Georgia State<br />16. Cal State Fullerton, Norfolk State, Bryant, Wright State, Texas Southern, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-64519111662065167572022-03-07T07:17:00.000-08:002022-03-07T07:17:15.605-08:00Bracketology: Championship Week<p> And now it gets serious</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">1. Baylor, Gonzaga, Arizona, Auburn<br />2. Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, Villanova<br />3. Wisconsin, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas Tech<br />4. Providence, UCLA, Illinois, Arkansas<br />5. Houston, Connecticut, Texas, St. Mary's (CA)<br />6. Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Iowa<br />7. USC, Colorado State, Seton Hall, Murray State<br />8. Boise State, Michigan State, Iowa State, Marquette<br />9. TCU, San Diego State, San Francisco, North Carolina<br />10. Creighton, Davidson, Wake Forest, Wyoming<br />11. Miami (FLA.), Xavier, Notre Dame, Michigan, Memphis<br />12. Loyola-Chicago, Rutgers, VCU, North Texas, Chattanooga<br />13. Iona, South Dakota State, Towson, Vermont</div><div style="text-align: left;">14. Toledo, New Mexico State, Princeton, Montana State<br />15. Jacksonville State, Colgate, Georgia State, Hawaii<br />16. Longwood, Cleveland State, Norfolk State, Nicholls State, Wagner, Alcorn State</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-60302564678856949742022-02-22T19:15:00.000-08:002022-02-22T19:15:05.728-08:00Bracketology: February 22<div style="text-align: left;">Latest and greatest is below. Will try to do at least one more before Selection Sunday. If Marquette wins 3 more games I think they're solidly on the 6-line, could play their way up to a 4 if they make the BE Championship (I know, wishful thinking).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />1. Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, Auburn<br />2. Kentucky, Purdue, Baylor, Duke<br />3. Villanova, Texas Tech, Illinois, Tennessee<br />4. Connecticut, UCLA, Providence, Houston<br />5. Texas, Arkansas, Ohio State, Wisconsin<br />6. LSU, Alabama, USC, St. Mary's (CA)<br />7. Marquette, Michigan State, Xavier, Colorado State<br />8. Iowa State, Boise State, Seton Hall, Iowa<br />9. Murray State, Wyoming, Wake Forest, TCU<br />10. San Francisco, Miami (FLA.), Loyola-Chicago, Notre Dame<br />11. San Diego State, Davidson, Michigan, Indiana<br />12. Creighton, Rutgers, North Carolina, Memphis, North Texas, Iona<br />13. South Dakota State, Furman, Vermont, Toledo<br />14. New Mexico State, Wagner, Princeton, Liberty<br />15. Montana State, South Alabama, Cal State Fullerton, Colgate<br />16. Oakland, Longwood, NC-Wilmington, Norfolk State, New Orleans, Southern</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-31677292580209760602022-02-07T06:32:00.001-08:002022-02-07T06:42:08.718-08:00Bracketology: February 7<p>And we're back! I'll try to update this every 1-2 weeks leading up to Selection Sunday. As always, this will be posted to the <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">Bracket Matrix</a>. This is much more fun to do when Marquette is in the mix. Still incredible to think that 5 weeks ago they weren't even projected to play in Dayton.</p><div style="text-align: left;">1. Auburn, Gonzaga, Purdue, Baylor<br />2. Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky, Duke<br />3. UCLA, Houston, Wisconsin, Villanova<br />4. Texas Tech, Michigan State, Providence, Illinois<br />5. Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, Ohio State<br />6. Xavier, LSU, Connecticut, Iowa State<br />7. Texas, USC, Indiana, St. Mary's (CA)<br />8. Iowa, Boise State, TCU, Colorado State<br />9. BYU, Arkansas, Davidson, Loyola-Chicago<br />10. Murray State, Seton Hall, Miami (FLA.), San Francisco<br />11. Wake Forest, Oklahoma, San Diego State, Wyoming<br />12. Creighton, North Carolina, Oregon, Florida, Iona, North Texas<br />13. Furman, Toledo, South Dakota State, Vermont<br />14. New Mexico State, Oakland, Wagner, Jacksonville State<br />15. Weber State, Princeton, Navy, South Alabama<br />16. Gardner Webb, NC-Wilmington, Cal St. Fullerton, Norfolk State, New Orleans, Texas Southern</div>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-7483759076428937882021-03-14T13:35:00.003-07:002021-03-14T13:35:56.243-07:00Bracketology: Selection Sunday<p> First and final bracketology of the season. COVID or not, the show must go on!</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Gonzaga, Baylor, Illinois, Michigan</p><p>2. Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State, Houston</p><p>3. Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas</p><p>4. West Virginia, Virginia, Purdue, Florida State</p><p>5. Creighton, Villanova, Tennessee, USC</p><p>6. Colorado, Texas Tech, BYU, Missouri</p><p>7. Oregon, LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma</p><p>8. Wisconsin, San Diego State, Loyola-Chicago, Florida</p><p>9. Connecticut, North Carolina, Rutgers, St. Bonaventure</p><p>10. Virginia Tech, VCU, Georgia Tech, Maryland</p><p>11. Michigan State, UCLA, Wichita State, Louisville</p><p>12. Drake, Utah State, Syracuse, Georgetown, Oregon State, Winthrop</p><p>13. UC Santa Barbara, Colgate, Liberty, UNC Greensboro</p><p>14. Ohio, Morehead State, Abilene Christian, Eastern Washington</p><p>15. Iona, Cleveland State, Drexel, Oral Roberts</p><p>16. Grand Canyon, Hartford, Appalachian State, Mount St. Mary's, Norfolk State, Texas Southern</p>Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-85458648400105504972020-02-24T07:00:00.001-08:002020-02-24T07:00:52.081-08:00Bracketology: February 24Latest and greatest is below. Anyone have any good names for the now-annual February losing streak for MU?<br />
<br />
1. Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga, San Diego State<br />
2. Maryland, Duke, Dayton, Florida State<br />
3. Creighton, Seton Hall, Louisville, Villanova<br />
4. Kentucky, Penn State, Auburn, Oregon<br />
5. West Virginia, Colorado, Michigan State, Arizona<br />
6. Butler, Iowa, Michigan, BYU<br />
7. Ohio State, Marquette, Houston, Wisconsin<br />
8. LSU, Illinois, Texas Tech, Arizona State<br />
9. St. Mary's (CA), Rutgers, Florida, Xavier<br />
10. Rhode Island, Virginia, Wichita State, Indiana<br />
11. USC, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Utah State, Providence, North Carolina State<br />
12. Northern Iowa, Richmond, Liberty, Yale<br />
13. Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, Akron, North Texas<br />
14. New Mexico State, Hofstra, Colgate, UC Irvine<br />
15. Wright State, South Dakota State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Winthrop<br />
16. Austin Peay, Montana, St. Francis (PA.), Prairie View A&M, Norfolk State, SienaDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-77118489419696655842020-02-12T06:57:00.001-08:002020-02-12T06:57:48.350-08:00Guest Post: Joe MoranIn between bracketology postings, here's a post from Joe Moran on his last publication, a biography on Al McGuire. I'm about halfway through the book and have found a lot of great content so far.<br />
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Joseph Declan <span class="il">Moran</span>, a 1980 graduate of Marquette, recently released the Centennial Edition of "You Can Call Me Al: The Colorful Journey of College Basketball's Original Flower Child, Al McGuire." <span class="il">Moran</span> wrote the biography with the cooperation of the late Marquette coach and college basketball analyst.</div>
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<br />This fifth edition of the biography includes an Introduction that recounts the beginnings of the MU basketball program in 1916. It also includes photos of every Marquette basketball coach from Ralph Risch to Steve Wojciechowski, as well as those from Coach McGuire's funeral in 2001.</div>
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<br /><span class="il">Moran</span> spent two years researching the history of the basketball program, which included countless hours in the Marquette University Archives, as well as going through digitized versions of the Marquette Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Leader and other local dailies as far back as 1916. <span class="il">Moran</span> also scoured team scrapbooks, the Marquette Hilltop yearbooks, game programs, correspondence, the business ledgers and photo morgue. There were also interviews with subjects who had knowledge of the early days of the basketball program.</div>
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<br />As a Marquette graduate, <span class="il">Moran</span> is proud to be Coach McGuire's biographer and the first to tell the history of the basketball program.</div>
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<br />Currently, the book is available at the Marquette Spirit Shop and via <span class="il">Moran</span>'s website (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jdmpress.net&source=gmail&ust=1581605584675000&usg=AFQjCNFY0KPDaJF_66foxQlxhgXxXCvyKA" href="http://www.jdmpress.net/" target="_blank">www.jdmpress.net</a>).</div>
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<br />The website includes photos, cover quotes, newspaper reviews, comments, <span class="il">Moran</span>'s biography and blog for the Centennial Edition of both "You Can Call Me Al" and his second book, "Goin' Uptown: Marquette's March to Madness and Return to the Final Four."</div>
Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-73127514928841072022020-02-05T19:30:00.001-08:002020-02-05T19:30:37.737-08:00Bracketology: February 56 weeks away from the best week in sports. You know the drill.<br />
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1. Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga, San Diego State<br />
2. Duke, Louisville, Dayton, West Virginia<br />
3. Florida State, Seton Hall, Maryland, Villanova<br />
4. Michigan State, Oregon, Auburn, Butler<br />
5. Creighton, Arizona, Penn State, Kentucky<br />
6. Colorado, Iowa, LSU, Illinois<br />
7. Marquette, Rutgers, Ohio State, Wisconsin<br />
8. Houston, Arkansas, Wichita State, Michigan<br />
9. BYU, USC, Stanford, Texas Tech<br />
10. St. Mary's (CA), Purdue, Rhode Island, Florida<br />
11. Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Memphis, Virginia, Indiana, VCU<br />
12. Northern Iowa, E. Tennessee State, Yale, Liberty<br />
13. Stephen F. Austin, Louisiana Tech, Vermont, New Mexico State<br />
14. Bowling Green, Wright State, Colgate, Winthrop<br />
15. Arkansas-Little Rock, Murray State, UC Irvine, Hofstra<br />
16. South Dakota State, Eastern Washington, Monmouth, Robert Morris, North Carolina A&T, Texas SouthernDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-25290073823141299512019-03-17T14:01:00.001-07:002019-03-17T14:01:54.450-07:00Final Bracketology: Selection Sunday EditionLast of the season is below, posted on the Bracket Matrix as usual. Time for the best week of the year in sports!<br />
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1. Virginia, Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan State<br />
2. Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan<br />
3. Houston, LSU, Texas Tech, Florida State<br />
4. Kansas, Purdue, Wisconsin, Auburn<br />
5. Virginia Tech, Kansas State, Marquette, Villanova<br />
6. Mississippi State, Iowa State, Buffalo, Maryland<br />
7. Cincinnati, Nevada, Wofford, Louisville<br />
8. Iowa, Central Florida, Seton Hall, Washington<br />
9. Minnesota, Mississippi, Syracuse, Utah State<br />
10. Baylor, VCU, Oklahoma, Florida<br />
11. TCU, Arizona State, Ohio State, Temple, Belmont, St. Mary's (CA)<br />
12. Oregon, Murray State, New Mexico State, Liberty<br />
13. UC Irvine, Northeastern, Vermont, Old Dominion<br />
14. Yale, SLU, Georgia State, Northern Kentucky<br />
15. Montana, Colgate, Bradley, Abilene Christian<br />
16. Gardner-Webb, Iona, North Dakota State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Prairie View A&M, North Carolina CentralDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-8486403297289251022019-03-11T09:09:00.000-07:002019-03-11T09:09:02.086-07:00Bracketology: Championship Week EditionJust a week a way from the greatest time of year in sports. Latest and greatest is below. The Marquette free fall is real.<br />
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1. Virginia, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Kentucky<br />
2. Duke, Tennessee, Michigan State, Michigan<br />
3. LSU, Texas Tech, Houston, Purdue<br />
4. Kansas, Florida State, Kansas State, Wisconsin<br />
5. Virginia Tech, Marquette, Maryland, Mississippi State<br />
6. Nevada, Villanova, Buffalo, Auburn<br />
7. Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, Wofford<br />
8. Central Florida, Iowa, VCU, Oklahoma<br />
9. Washington, Baylor, Mississippi, Syracuse<br />
10. Utah State, Minnesota, Seton Hall, Texas<br />
11. St. John's, Ohio State, Florida, TCU<br />
12. North Carolina State, Belmont, Clemson, Temple, Murray State, Liberty<br />
13. New Mexico State, Hofstra, UC Irvine, Vermont<br />
14. Old Dominion, Yale, Georgia State, Northern Kentucky<br />
15. Montana, Colgate, Omaha, Bradley<br />
16. Gardner-Webb, Sam Houston State, Norfolk State, Iona, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (PA.)Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-29751310619164927772019-02-27T07:20:00.000-08:002019-02-27T07:20:31.019-08:00How Far Can Marquette Go In March?Coming off a dominant win at Providence and heading into a big road contest at Villanova, MU is flying high and clearly having their best season since 2013. Which means the topic from recent years of "Will Marquette make the NCAA Tournament?" now shifts to more pleasant topics of "What seed will Marquette be?" or "Can Marquette make a deep run in March?"<br />
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So just how far can these Warriors go? Can they make a run to the Final Four? Are they primed for a 14-3 upset that also nearly happened in 2013? Here are a few reasons why each is a likely possibility.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Reasons For a Deep Run</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Stud Performer</strong><br />
No surprise here, Marquette has one of the top players in the country in Markus Howard. Howard is on nearly every mid-season watch list, a lock for First Team All Big East, a top candidate for Big East POY, and has an outside shot at passing Jerel McNeal's scoring record <strong>as a junior</strong>. He can hit pretty much every shot on the court, and is still able to put up 25 ppg even though he isn't catching any team by surprise. His court vision and defense have improved dramatically this year, making him a much more dangerous weapon outside of just hitting jump shots. He's flat out one of the most special players in Marquette history, and has the potential to put this team on his back in key situations.<br />
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There are a plethora of players over the years that have been a one-man wrecking crew in March: Danny Manning, Christina Laettner, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, the list goes on and on. Markus Howard is absolutely that player for Marquette.<br />
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<strong>Solid Defense</strong><br />
Every Marquette fan knows that defense has been the biggest issue under Wojo, a bit of a surprise to many fans given his "slap the floor" mentality as a guard at Duke. Here are MU's defensive efficiency ranks in the NCAA under the first 4 years of the Wojo-era: 2015-69th, 2016-88th, 2017-165th, 2018-182nd. Headed in the wrong direction each year, and in dramatic fashion. This year? <strong>42nd</strong>. <br />
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How does that happen? The biggest improvement by far has come in the paint. Theo John has been a one-man block party all season, and has also forced opponents to take bad shots which have led to defensive boards. When John sits for rest or foul trouble, Ed Morrow provides a physical presence that has limited opponents in the paint as well. In the backcourt, Sacar Anim has proven to be a top-tier defender both on the ball and off the ball. He's guaranteed to defend the opponent's top guard every game. Case in point? Sacar's stats against Max Strus and Kamar Baldwin. Both are averaging 17ppg on the season, but averaged 14ppg against Sacar over all 4 games. As a team, they've gotten much better at switching on ball screens, making better decisions on double teams, and are doing better at defending the 3 (227th in the country last year, 76th this year).<br />
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<strong>Balanced Scoring</strong><br />
Outsiders may look at this team and say it's the Markus Howard show and there's nobody else. That is definitely not the case. While Marquette may not have a specific player that is a consistent offensive presence behind Howard every night, there is always <em>someone</em> that seems to step up. Here is the scoring log from every conference game for Markus Howard and anyone that scored in double-figures that game:<br />
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1/1 @ St. Johns - Howard (8), Joey Hauser (15), Chartouny (11), Sam Hauser (10)<br />
1/6 vs. Xavier - Howard (26), Anim (20), Joey Hauser (18)<br />
1/9 @ Creighton - Howard (53!!!), Sam Hauser (13), Joey Hauser (13)<br />
1/12 vs. Seton Hall - Howard (26), Anim (14), Sam Hauser (13), John (10)<br />
1/15 @ Georgetown - Howard (0), Sam Hauser (31), John (14), Anim (10), Joey Hauser (10)<br />
1/20 vs. Providence - Howard (24), Sam Hauser (25), Joey Hauser (11)<br />
1/23 vs. DePaul - Howard (23), Sam Hauser (19), John (16), Joey Hauser (14)<br />
1/26 @ Xavier - Howard (31), Joey Hauser (21), Sam Hauser (20)<br />
1/30 @ Butler - Howard (32), Sam Hauser (19), Anim (14)<br />
2/5 vs. St. John's - Howard (17), Sam Hauser (19), Anim (11)<br />
2/9 vs. Villanova - Howard (38), Anim (18)<br />
2/12 @ DePaul - Howard (36), Sam Hauser (17), Anim (12)<br />
2/20 vs. Butler - Howard (28), John (15), Sam Hauser (11)<br />
2/23 @ Providence - Howard (14), Sam Hauser (18), Anim (18), Joey Hauser (15), Morrow (11)<br />
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And now the tallies through 14 conference games (excluding Howard):<br />
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Sam Hauser - 12<br />
Joey Hauser - 8<br />
Anim - 8<br />
John - 4<br />
Morrow - 1<br />
Chartouny - 1<br />
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January was a stellar month for the Hauser brothers. Sam has shown he's the most consistent scoring threat outside of Markus. While Sam does lack athleticism, he's a marksman from beyond the arc and is hitting nearly 60% of his 2-point jump shots. Joey hit the "freshman wall" for a 3-week stretch, but came out of his slump at Providence, hitting 3 of 4 shots from long range. If he can prove to do more of the dirty work in the paint, he'll be a consistent threat every night. Anim has displayed his ability to hit a variety of shots: 3-pointers, fade-away jumpers, tear drops, and can blow by defenders when he puts the ball on the deck. John has improved his 1-on-1 skills and has double-double ability when presented with the right matchups.<br />
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The last point (and one of the most important) is the win at Georgetown. Of course with Markus Howard out, someone else was bound to score in double figures, but the way Sam Hauser took the reigns at point guard and put up a stellar offensive performance was incredible.<br />
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<strong>Free Throw Shooting</strong><br />
In any tight game, free throws are extremely crucial and can be the number 1 reason a team wins or loses in the final minutes. Marquette has 3 solid free throw shooters in Howard (92%) and the Hauser brothers (Sam - 91%, Joey - 83%). This gives Wojo more plays to run out of bounds if MU is up by just a couple points with less than a minute to go. Howard will most certainly draw the most attention from defenders, which can leave the Hausers open to receive the inbounds pass.<br />
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<strong>True Grit</strong><br />
This team has displayed a toughness that Wojo's past teams have lacked. What this has translated to is come-from-behind wins, and maintaining a lead. Here are several examples:<br />
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1/9 @ Crieghton- Down 5 points with 8 second to play, Marquette manages to go the length of the court, score a layup, force an out-of-bounds pass by the Blue Jays, and hit a 3-pointer to force overtime. Here's the probability win chart, per kenpom.com. Down 5, Marquette had a 0.4% chance to win.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1XjN_-rdZeBGAiKMdM67QdW0jbT4os2FUh8bsOnmH4zf0YuoB4zpU6XraRp-U3rFkBcPhaXgwaO7luvxbMisrC7Fob15OIsIoJH1LcPw4vl7UWH9nPennO4EnrXvMfPefiyj9uZiCXyG/s1600/Creighton+Probbaility+Win+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1007" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1XjN_-rdZeBGAiKMdM67QdW0jbT4os2FUh8bsOnmH4zf0YuoB4zpU6XraRp-U3rFkBcPhaXgwaO7luvxbMisrC7Fob15OIsIoJH1LcPw4vl7UWH9nPennO4EnrXvMfPefiyj9uZiCXyG/s320/Creighton+Probbaility+Win+Chart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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1/15 @ Georgetown - Most Marquette fans probably wrote off this game as a loss after Howard left just 3 minutes in with back spasms. Every team has a "next man up" mentality (or so they say), but Marquette proved it over the next 37 minutes, trailing by as much as 8 points with 15 minutes left in the game and relying on their small forward to be their point guard. The game ended with a stout defensive stand by Marquette. Here's the probability win chart from kenpom.com:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CKIIqpTJDZ3u8xjioqxEhjXBZrO9hhUEo_nVDPSmRMJ-RGX9m8PQqQDF9dMEDNVe3k-2zC7aBu1XZlSQ-ZsoGwZLqkE7Jw2fPOHABpjA4z0aBa6NX4siuOjn-LkT1DY77D5L7ggkf8cA/s1600/Georgetown+Probbaility+Win+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1000" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CKIIqpTJDZ3u8xjioqxEhjXBZrO9hhUEo_nVDPSmRMJ-RGX9m8PQqQDF9dMEDNVe3k-2zC7aBu1XZlSQ-ZsoGwZLqkE7Jw2fPOHABpjA4z0aBa6NX4siuOjn-LkT1DY77D5L7ggkf8cA/s320/Georgetown+Probbaility+Win+Chart.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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1/20 vs. Providence - Down 8 points at halftime, Marquette went on an offensive barrage in the 2nd half to win by 11.<br />
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1/26 @ Xavier - The Musketeers came out inspired and were firing on all cylinders throughout much of this game. Stellar shooting in the 2nd half from the Warriors helped them take the lead and keep it. Here's the probability win chart from kenpom.com:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrq6wJYkvIoDo4MwzEEs-pbu4jkvr9cOcLpOQhXpNdEGE4lnrZ6yoQZXn_KNsrvj5O6c1hD5Grd4y20utjyZSRDVDb_0DRNAJp7DWHk_EtsiM6q6f-kiTJa_4pzdJRYPzJOk4dkeshiew/s1600/Xavier+Probability+Win+Chart.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="1004" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrq6wJYkvIoDo4MwzEEs-pbu4jkvr9cOcLpOQhXpNdEGE4lnrZ6yoQZXn_KNsrvj5O6c1hD5Grd4y20utjyZSRDVDb_0DRNAJp7DWHk_EtsiM6q6f-kiTJa_4pzdJRYPzJOk4dkeshiew/s320/Xavier+Probability+Win+Chart.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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1/30 @ Butler - This was a dominant road win that was essentially a wire-to-wire victory, but at the 13 minute mark, Marquette saw their 17-point lead dwindle to 6 points in just 3 minutes. Hinkle was rocking at this point, and Marquette teams of old may have folded down the stretch. Instead, they went on a 13-3 run over the next 4 minutes and never looked back.<br />
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1/9 vs. Villanova - Just watch the last play of the game. Enough said. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcNabPZkj-M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcNabPZkj-M</a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Reasons For an Early Exit</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Over-reliance on Howard</strong><br />
Markus Howard is Marquette's Most Valuable Player, and 2nd place is a very distant 2nd. They managed to beat Georgetown without him, but in the 2 losses to St. John's he averaged just 12.5 points. MU fans would probably feel good about Sam Hauser stepping up, but would you bank on anyone else for sure?<br />
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<strong>Slow Starts</strong><br />
Marquette has had slow starts vs. Providence, at Xavier, vs. St. John's, and vs. Butler. Other than St. John's, they've been able to overcome these slow starts with great play in the 2nd half, but a slow start in late March could be too little too late.<br />
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<strong>Turnovers</strong><br />
Marquette has struggled with not only turning the ball over too much on offense, but also not forcing many turnovers on defense. This has improved as of late, but it's still a glaring issue. On the season, Marquette is turning the ball over on 19.1% of possessions (212th in the country) and forcing turnovers on 17.2% of defensive possessions (269th in the country). In Big East play, offensive turnover percentage has improved to 18.0%, but defensive turnover % is essentially flat at 17.3%.<br />
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<strong>Lack of Depth</strong><br />
After the starting 5, production drops off very quickly. 82% of Marquette's offense comes from the starters, which means when the bench comes in, they're trying to hold down the fort more than take over. If a couple key starters get in early foul trouble, it could make for a rough game.<br />
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<strong>Lack of True Ball Handlers</strong><br />
The only true ball handler on the team is Markus Howard. If the game is on the line and you need someone to catch the inbounds, bring the ball up the floor and break the press, he's the only one you can trust. Chartouny should be in this category, but he's shown a lack of confidence with the ball in his hands for most of conference play, and he's shooting under 70% from the charity stripe. Yes, the Hausers can hit their free throws, but I worry about them trying to split a double team in the back court without turning the ball over.<br />
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<strong>Lack of Tournament Experience</strong><br />
Marquette has a grand total of 1 NCAA Tournament game of experience over the last 5 years. Sure, Marquette's top 2 players in Howard and Sam Hauser were on that team, but a 20-point blowout in the first round (after leading by 1 at the half) doesn't exude experience on how to win postseason games.<br />
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<strong>Bad Luck</strong><br />
This is reason for any good team to have an early exit. The better team doesn't win every game. If Marquette draws a 3-seed, they may beat a 14-seed 9 times out of 10, but what if this 1st round game is that 10th time? A Marquette loss would lead to a lot of finger-pointing, but it could just mean they had a cold shooting night and ran into a team playing their best game of the season. It happens. Marquette is currently ranked 20th in the country according to KenPom (i.e. how often they're winning close games); could their luck run out?<br />
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Every year in the NCAA Tournament you hear the phrase "Survive and advance." No matter what the seeds are, teams have to assume they're going to get their opponent's best shot. There are no style points in March, just wins and losses. In 2013, Marquette "survived" against Davidson and Butler in the first and second rounds, then handily beat Miami in the Sweet 16; you never know how these games will go until the ball is tipped. You don't care how you win, just that you win. Let's hope Marquette's true grit is enough for them to make it to the second weekend or beyond.<br />
<br />Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-21312197286403553752019-02-25T12:09:00.000-08:002019-02-25T12:09:22.960-08:00Bracketology: February 25Latest and greatest is below. For as great as Marquette is playing, there's isn't a lot of opportunity for them to get to a 2-ssed.<br />
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1. Virginia, Duke, Gonzaga, Kentucky<br />
2. Tennessee, Michigan, North Carolina, Michigan State<br />
3. Houston, Kansas, Purdue, Marquette<br />
4. Texas Tech, LSU, Wisconsin, Florida State<br />
5. Iowa State, Maryland, Kansas State, Virginia Tech<br />
6. Louisville, Nevada, Iowa, Mississippi State<br />
7. Villanova, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Washington<br />
8. Auburn, Baylor, Mississippi, Syracuse<br />
9. Wofford, St. John's, TCU, Oklahoma<br />
10. Ohio State, Texas, North Carolina State, VCU<br />
11. Florida, Minnesota, Arizona State, Central Florida<br />
12. Seton Hall, Clemson, Temple, Alabama, Belmont, Lipscomb<br />
13. New Mexico State, Hofstra, Yale, Vermont<br />
14. Old Dominion, UC Irvine, South Dakota State, Texas State<br />
15. Northern Kentucky, Montana, Radford, Loyola-Chicago<br />
16. Bucknell, Sam Houston State, Norfolk State, St. Francis (PA.), Prairie View A&M, CanisiusDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-77686670485814049462019-02-11T07:14:00.000-08:002019-02-11T07:14:36.569-08:00Bracketology: February 11It's February, which means it's time to start talking about 12-5 upsets, mid-majors, and the all-important "eye test." Here's my first seeding of the season, which I'm sure will drastically change in the next 35 days. And yes, it's a lot more fun to do this when Marquette is good!<br />
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1. Duke, Virginia, Tennessee, Gonzaga<br />
2. Michigan, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State<br />
3. Kansas, Purdue, Houston, Marquette<br />
4. Louisville, Villanova, Wisconsin, Nevada<br />
5. Iowa State, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, LSU<br />
6. Iowa, Maryland, Kansas State, Florida State<br />
7. Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Auburn, Buffalo<br />
8. Washington, Baylor, Oklahoma, Ohio State<br />
9. Syracuse, TCU, St. John's, Mississippi<br />
10. Texas, Wofford, North Carolina State, Indiana<br />
11. Alabama, Minnesota, Arizona State, Central Florida, Seton Hall, Temple<br />
12. VCU, Lipscomb, Davidson, Belmont<br />
13. Hofstra, New Mexico State, Vermont, Yale<br />
14. Old Dominion, Georgia State, South Dakota State, UC Irvine<br />
15. Northern Kentucky, Radford, Loyola-Chicago, Montana<br />
16. Bucknell, Rider, Sam Houston State, Norfolk State, Robert Morris, Prairie View A&M<br />
<br />Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-82743143606708939752018-03-11T14:08:00.001-07:002018-03-11T14:08:24.808-07:00Final Bracketology: Selection Sunday EditionHappy Holiday! Final predictions are below. As always, this will be posted on The Bracket Matrix as well. Looks like this will be the first time I watch the NIT in a long time.<br />
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1. Virginia, Villanova, Kansas, Xavier<br />
2. Duke, North Carolina, Cincinnati, Purdue<br />
3. Tennessee, Michigan State, Michigan, Arizona<br />
4. Auburn, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Wichita State<br />
5. Gonzaga, Clemson, Houston, Ohio State<br />
6. Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, Miami (FLA.)<br />
7. TCU, Texas A&M, Creighton, Rhode Island<br />
8. Nevada, Providence, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech<br />
9. Kansas State, Butler, Missouri, Alabama<br />
10. North Carolina State, Florida State, St. Bonaventure, Texas<br />
11. UCLA, Oklahoma, USC, St. Mary's (CA), San Diego State, New Mexico State<br />
12. Loyola-Chicago, South Dakota State, Buffalo, Murray State<br />
13. UNC-Greensboro, Davidson, College of Charleston, Stephen F. Austin<br />
14. Montana, Bucknell, Wright State, Marshall<br />
15. Georgia State, Lipscomb, Pennsylvania, Iona<br />
16. Maryland-Baltimore County, Cal State Fullerton, Radford, LIU-Brooklyn, North Carolina Central, Texas SouthernDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-33799837890971115162018-02-25T20:25:00.000-08:002018-02-25T20:32:59.231-08:00Bracketology: February 25Better late than never. At least this helps take my mind off the loss to DePaul... ok, not really.<br />
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1. Virginia, Duke, Xavier, Kansas<br />
2. Purdue, Auburn, Villanova, North Carolina<br />
3. Michigan State, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Tennessee<br />
4. Ohio State, Wichita State, Clemson, West Virginia<br />
5. Arizona, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Rhode Island<br />
6. Michigan, Nevada, TCU, Houston<br />
7. Seton Hall, Texas A&M, Florida State, Butler<br />
8. Arizona State, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma<br />
9. Creighton, Florida, Missouri, Miami (FLA.)<br />
10. Virginia Tech, St. Mary's (CA), North Carolina State, Providence<br />
11. Kansas State, USC, St. Bonaventure, Texas, Louisville, Baylor<br />
12. Middle Tennessee, Loyola-Chicago, New Mexico State, Louisiana-Lafayette<br />
13. Vermont, Montana, Buffalo, Murray State<br />
14. E. Tennessee State, College of Charleston, Rider, South Dakota State<br />
15. Bucknell, UC Santa Barbara, Northern Kentucky, Pennsylvania<br />
16. Wagner, NC-Asheville, Florida Gulf Coast, Nicholls State, Southern, Savannah StateDan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531085562750533955.post-14176160261532426012017-07-24T20:09:00.000-07:002017-07-25T07:05:31.763-07:00Goin' Uptown: RevisitedWith Joey Hauser's commitment now hot off the press, time to do an offseason post.<br />
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Along with last season's theme of MU's 100th anniversary of basketball, Joe Moran has published a Centennial Edition of his book <em>Goin' Uptown: Marquette's March to Madness and Return to the Final Four</em>. The book not only includes a foreword by the late great Rick Majerus and a detailed account of the 2002-03 squad's journey to the Final Four, but also an Afterword that recaps Marquette's recent past (yes, last season's win over Villanova is included). For any Marquette fan, this is a must-have book for the personal library.<br />
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Now the important part, how do you get it? You can find <em>Goin' Uptown</em> at the MU Spirit Shop (in store and online). You can also order the book directly from Joe Moran by e-mailing him at <a href="mailto:books@jdmpress.net" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">books@jdmpress.net</span></a>. Cover price is only $17.95.<br />
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Happy reading. Go Warriors.Dan Daitchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05640499845652599976noreply@blogger.com0