MU-Nova for the Big East Championship

[Xudash]

Allow me to compliment both programs from two different angles that have everything to do with home & away:

I was at the Xavier v. Villanova game last year at the Cintas Center. We were obviously out for blood and were certainly becoming very tired of continuous losses to Nova, notwithstanding Xavier's success in the Big East otherwise since joining it. The Cintas Center was absolutely rocking pre-game. Prior to the tip, the Wildcats assembled in front of their bench, but a little out onto the court - closer to the basket and certainly within breath-feeling distance of Xavier's student body section, which was in high energy mode and waving back and forth full throttle. Nova's team was in a tight circle; a damn cocoon wherein the Nova teammates seemed to only notice and hear each other. They were oblivious to the madness going on around them. I've always admired Nova for that: they handle away games on their terms. I don't need nor will I describe how the rest of that day turned out. Two eventual #1 Seeds went at it that day, but...

Now move the tape forward to this year. Xavier away at Marquette. Marquette's gleaming new home. The place is rocking. The place is NBA-caliber (duh) rocking. It's as intimidating as an away venue can be when the Marquette fan base is fully throated. Very impressive for Marquette and for the Big East. The place just shows on a spectacular basis when it is full and cranked up. The irony here is that it is a BE venue that shows better than probably every B1G venue available - in this case, we have no issue competing with P5 programs in this regard.

At any rate, looking forward to watching this game. Give us a great show. May the best team win. Judging by how many BE games have gone this year, this should have no problem being a great show!

[Savannah Jay]

If Villanova plays like they did against Creighton, and this is no offense to Creighton....

Whoa, whoa, whoa...no need to rub our beaks in it. You and Marquette have yourselves a great game tomorrow (I trust we will all be tuned in...) but leave the salt and our wounds out of it, please.

[ChestRockwell85]

If Villanova plays like they did against Creighton, and this is no offense to Creighton....

Whoa, whoa, whoa...no need to rub our beaks in it. You and Marquette have yourselves a great game tomorrow (I trust we will all be tuned in...) but leave the salt and our wounds out of it, please.

First and foremost, was in Savannah for the first time recently, one of the coolest places I have ever been.

SECONDLY! Come on! I said that if Creighton was full strength you guys would have beat us easily, and I meant that sincerely. Big fan of Creighton.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Dare I say perhaps the biggest conference game for Marq. since the reconfiguration.?. I expect a slugfest. In most hostile environments Nova has been able to stay laser focused on gameplans. When we’ve been truly thumped away in conference it’s been because of extraordinary shooting by the opponents (@Creighton year 1, @Hinkle when Jorgensen and co hit 3’s from everywhere). So unless MU hits 15+ 3’s I think we’ve got a shot.

We need to make it a rock fight IMO and see if MU’s fortitude matches their on-court talent. I expect that same game plan that Nova implemented vs Baldwin at Butler and vs Powell at home. Throw lots of bodies at Howard and make someone else beat us. Theo concerns me; he’s a handful.

[adoraz]

Even though long term it'd probably be better for the Johnnies if Marquette wins... I kinda want to see Nova win just so we get a shot against another top 10 team next week. No guarantee they'd get into the top 10, but should be around 12 at worst with a W. Either way, should be a great game. For the sake of the league, about time we get this kind of a match up.

[Savannah Jay]

If Villanova plays like they did against Creighton, and this is no offense to Creighton....

Whoa, whoa, whoa...no need to rub our beaks in it. You and Marquette have yourselves a great game tomorrow (I trust we will all be tuned in...) but leave the salt and our wounds out of it, please.

First and foremost, was in Savannah for the first time recently, one of the coolest places I have ever been.

SECONDLY! Come on! I said that if Creighton was full strength you guys would have beat us easily, and I meant that sincerely. Big fan of Creighton.

Dude...you were in Savannah and you didn't call? You didn't write? tsk tsk. Next time, give a boy a shout (unless you don't like good food, good booze, and college bball banter with questionable company).

No offense taken at all...I was just trying to be funny on a Friday.

Looking forward to all the games tomorrow...cheers.

[Xudash]

Dude...you were in Savannah and you didn't call? You didn't write? tsk tsk. Next time, give a boy a shout (unless you don't like good food, good booze, and college bball banter with questionable company).

No offense taken at all...I was just trying to be funny on a Friday.

Looking forward to all the games tomorrow...cheers.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil...

[redmen9194]

This may be a down year or up year or whatever year, but the games have been fun to watch. A war every night for sure.

[Savannah Jay]

Dude...you were in Savannah and you didn't call? You didn't write? tsk tsk. Next time, give a boy a shout (unless you don't like good food, good booze, and college bball banter with questionable company).

No offense taken at all...I was just trying to be funny on a Friday.

Looking forward to all the games tomorrow...cheers.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil...

There are some interesting people here, for sure. I'm not one of them... : )

[GumbyDamnit!]

Great game in WI today. A lot of fun to watch.

What I’ve learned about Marq is you have to face MH and deny him the ball; Sacar A is much better than I thought; and Theo is dumber than he is tough.