Moving Forward

[NYC Pirate]

Time to move on from the UConn game. The Hall still in a good place. A good sign that they were able to play a competitive game and make a respectable showing.

Hopefully, some good practice time before facing Butler. Playing back at home may be a good thing this time.. Can they play at 8-6 before The Big East Tournament? So, this next one is key. I also think they could surprise SJU next week. Thats another excellent chance to boost their Resume.

Next five present some favorable matchups((Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier and Marquette.) Like to get a minimum of three if not four. Thoughts??

 

[ivyhillpark63]

Time to move on from the UConn game. The Hall still in a good place. A good sign that they were able to play a competitive game and make a respectable showing.

Hopefully, some good practice time before facing Butler. Playing back at home may be a good thing this time.. Can they play at 8-6 before The Big East Tournament? So, this next one is key. I also think they could surprise SJU next week. Thats another excellent chance to boost their Resume.

Next five present some favorable matchups((Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier and Marquette.) Like to get a minimum of three if not four. Thoughts??

No reason they can't win all 5

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

Time to move on from the UConn game. The Hall still in a good place. A good sign that they were able to play a competitive game and make a respectable showing.

Hopefully, some good practice time before facing Butler. Playing back at home may be a good thing this time.. Can they play at 8-6 before The Big East Tournament? So, this next one is key. I also think they could surprise SJU next week. Thats another excellent chance to boost their Resume.

Next five present some favorable matchups((Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier and Marquette.) Like to get a minimum of three if not four. Thoughts??

If the goal is NCAA tournament they really need to get 4 out of 5 with @ Nova @ Creighton immediately after this stretch.

 

[Seton75]

Make it a respectable showing? BS. A ton more than resoectable. Losing by 8 to Nova was respectable. We were down 1 under a minute. Dan and Uconn fans were sweating their balls off.

 

[Pirate Russ]

Time to move on from the UConn game. The Hall still in a good place. A good sign that they were able to play a competitive game and make a respectable showing.

Hopefully, some good practice time before facing Butler. Playing back at home may be a good thing this time.. Can they play at 8-6 before The Big East Tournament? So, this next one is key. I also think they could surprise SJU next week. Thats another excellent chance to boost their Resume.

Next five present some favorable matchups((Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier and Marquette.) Like to get a minimum of three if not four. Thoughts??

At a minimum, they need 4 of the 5. From my perspective, they need to win all their remaining home games. The game against St John's at end of season will be tough since Pitino will have St John's rolling. And they have to win road games at Depaul and at Xavier. The other remaining road games are winnable (sans UCONN). If would be great to grab another one (Creighton or Nova). I really think we need 13 wins.

 

[joeyklings]

3-2 should hold serve.

 

[NYC Pirate]

K

If the goal is NCAA tournament they really need to get 4 out of 5 with @ Nova @ Creighton immediately after this stretch.

The goal is the NCAA Tournament. Ideally, we need the 4 as you say. Not totally impossible to get all 5. Three at minimum. Break it down into a three mini schedules.
1 Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier, Marquette.
2 @Villanova, @Creighton, Providence, @butler
3 DePaul, GTown, @UCONN, @Xavier, SJU

Figure a way to get 8 or 9 before MSG. It won't be easy.

 

[NCAAsorBust]

K

The goal is the NCAA Tournament. Ideally, we need the 4 as you say. Not totally impossible to get all 5. Three at minimum. Break it down into a three mini schedules.
1 Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier, Marquette.
2 @Villanova, @Creighton, Providence, @butler
3 DePaul, GTown, @UCONN, @Xavier, SJU

Figure a way to get 8 or 9 before MSG. It won't be easy.

We need to win 4 and 1 of them has to be SJU. With KSU no longer being a quad 1 win, we're #39 in NET with 1 quad win and the big east has 4 teams outside the NET 100. There aren't many opportunities for big wins. At 14-3 in the big east you shouldn't be close to the range in NET where bubble teams typically stand, but that's where our metrics are because 2 of our 4 big east wins are against really bad teams and Providence is sitting on the borderline of mediocre/bad. I wouldn't call many games must wins but we need do some damage because a slip up to one of these bad teams will really hurt our metrics. At the same time you don't want go into selection sunday with just 1 quad win giving the committee any dumb reason to exclude us.

 

[Piratz]

If the goal is NCAA tournament they really need to get 4 out of 5 with @ Nova @ Creighton immediately after this stretch.

Absolutely. There are 3 grenades in there with the 3 home games.

 

[Seton75]

The goal is beating Butler.

 

[NYC Pirate]

We need to win 4 and 1 of them has to be SJU. With KSU no longer being a quad 1 win, we're #39 in NET with 1 quad win and the big east has 4 teams outside the NET 100. There aren't many opportunities for big wins. At 14-3 in the big east you shouldn't be close to the range in NET where bubble teams typically stand, but that's where our metrics are because 2 of our 4 big east wins are against really bad teams and Providence is sitting on the borderline of mediocre/bad. I wouldn't call many games must wins but we need do some damage because a slip up to one of these bad teams will really hurt our metrics. At the same time you don't want go into selection sunday with just 1 quad win giving the committee any dumb reason to exclude us.

You make strong points. The team needs a few Quad 1 wins by Selection Sunday. I don't believe next week's SJU game is a Must game. I actually think they may get that one, but SJU will be favored. Another chance at home to get them
In March. Doubtful we will win at UConn, but besides that they can win any other game.

As 75 pointed out the Butler game is the first concern. Take care of business the rest of the way and try to stay away from UConn's bracket at MSG.

 

[HallGuy2323]

We need to win 4 and 1 of them has to be SJU. With KSU no longer being a quad 1 win, we're #39 in NET with 1 quad win and the big east has 4 teams outside the NET 100. There aren't many opportunities for big wins. At 14-3 in the big east you shouldn't be close to the range in NET where bubble teams typically stand, but that's where our metrics are because 2 of our 4 big east wins are against really bad teams and Providence is sitting on the borderline of mediocre/bad. I wouldn't call many games must wins but we need do some damage because a slip up to one of these bad teams will really hurt our metrics. At the same time you don't want go into selection sunday with just 1 quad win giving the committee any dumb reason to exclude us.

It’s not so much what we can do. It’s moreso that other teams in our range im already seeing on a nightly basis knocking off top 25 teams or wins on the road.

more damage is done by other teams success than our own potential lack of.

 

[Piratz]

Butler needs to be a "get right" game. They started off 7-1 with an impressive win over UVA. But they're now 10-7, 1-5, and have lost 4 straight games, the last 3 by double figures to Villanova, St. John's, and Xavier. Woof. They have the worst defense in the conference and are allowing a blistering .581 from 2PT range, also the worst.

Then a good test Tuesday at MSG vs. St. John's before the bottom of the league for 3 games:

1/24 @ DePaul
1/28 vs. Xavier
1/31 vs. Marquette

Really need a 4-1 stretch and to be sitting no worse than 18-4, 8-3 to end January and stay on schedule IMO. There's one good team out of the next 5. Anything can happen, but cannot give away home games against bad teams and you have 3 of them in that span.

 

[NittanyPirate]

18-4; 8-3 would put us in the driver’s seat for an at large bid. With that said it’s Butler, Butler, Butler.

 

[joeyklings]

Butler needs to be a "get right" game. They started off 7-1 with an impressive win over UVA. But they're now 10-7, 1-5, and have lost 4 straight games, the last 3 by double figures to Villanova, St. John's, and Xavier. Woof. They have the worst defense in the conference and are allowing a blistering .581 from 2PT range, also the worst.

Then a good test Tuesday at MSG vs. St. John's before the bottom of the league for 3 games:

1/24 @ DePaul
1/28 vs. Xavier
1/31 vs. Marquette

Really need a 4-1 stretch and to be sitting no worse than 18-4, 8-3 to end January and stay on schedule IMO. There's one good team out of the next 5. Anything can happen, but cannot give away home games against bad teams and you have 3 of them in that span.

After watching the rest of the BE, Depaul may be closer to middle of the pack than bottom of the BE

 

[Seton75]

After watching the rest of the BE, Depaul may be closer to middle of the pack than bottom of the BE

Agree. I have been impressed with DP. And young P seems to have righted Xavier (not EXavier.)

 

[NCAAsorBust]

18-4; 8-3 would put us in the driver’s seat for an at large bid. With that said it’s Butler, Butler, Butler.

I hope you're right. At some point I think we have to improve our NET by at least 8 points to get into the lower 30s area because the number of quad 1 and quad 2 games isn't high over the final half of the season. Not sure beating Butler (61) Depaul (120) Xavier (99) and Marquette (148) moves the needle. I have no faith in the committee taking us at 41 in NET with only 1 Q1 win.

 

[Pirates94]

K

The goal is the NCAA Tournament. Ideally, we need the 4 as you say. Not totally impossible to get all 5. Three at minimum. Break it down into a three mini schedules.
1 Butler, @Sju, @DePaul, Xavier, Marquette.
2 @Villanova, @Creighton, Providence, @butler
3 DePaul, GTown, @UCONN, @Xavier, SJU

Figure a way to get 8 or 9 before MSG. It won't be easy.

If you think being 8-12 going int MSG is getting us in you're nuts and we shouldn't even be in the discussion if that is our record unless we plan on winning the tournament. We need 12-8 at a minimum to be in the discussion. We have 4 wins now. Between Butler, DePaul, Xavier each twice Marquette at home you think we would have trouble getting 4 wins? If that is true we should not be talking NCAA. I think 8 more wins is the miminum beating who we should and assuming we don't beat any of the other top 3 teams.

 

[Hall84]

I believe he is saying 8 or 9 in addition to the 4 we already have.

 

[NYC Pirate]

No worries. We have 14 regular season conference games left against the above listed teams. I feel we need at least 8 future wins by The BigEast Tournament. 9 would be better and 10 fantastic. If the team is who we believe they are, this will get done. The team could certainly lose to any team on the remaining schedule. No historically bad teams in the BE this season. Although losing at UConn is the strongest possibility, the other games are all in play. It would be smart to pick off SJU at least once and maybe take either the Nova or Creighton away games. Should the team advance past the Thursday BigEast Tournament game, they may have another chance for a Quad 1 win there too.

Butler up first. Hope the offense can improve.

 

[NittanyPirate]

I hope you're right. At some point I think we have to improve our NET by at least 8 points to get into the lower 30s area because the number of quad 1 and quad 2 games isn't high over the final half of the season. Not sure beating Butler (61) Depaul (120) Xavier (99) and Marquette (148) moves the needle. I have no faith in the committee taking us at 41 in NET with only 1 Q1 win.

No doubt there would still be work to do. If SJU is one of those wins it would make our resume a little harder for the committee to ignore. After 2024, it’s harder to be too confident.

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

 

[PhishingPirate088]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

Hey who do you think is our highest paid nil player?

 

[NittanyPirate]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

Yup. Quality is more important than quantity. I learned that the hard way in 2024. This isn’t the old BigEast when 13 wins was impressive. Sadly, the league is down.

 

[NYC Pirate]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

Absolutely agree. We all learned our lesson two years ago. We still have a very long way to go. I do believe that The Hall has been passing the eye test since the start of the season. The Maui play was strong. The ESPN guys were impressed it seemed. The Defensive stats stand out, top tier so far. The offense is struggling for the last batch of games. The team has been ranked already this season. I thought The Nova game has been the lemon, but the Hine's presence was clearly missing. As we now know there are no "should be" in guarantees. Do need some Quad 1's to help the cause.

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

Hey who do you think is our highest paid nil player?

lol. That’s is bait. Not going there. But I do have my opinion on who it is and it’s not who everyone probably believes it to be.

 

[lloyde dobler]

Watching the games tonight, DePaul on the road is going to be a really dangerous game.

 

[King of S]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

Think your way off. Team is currently rank #25 in the country. Obviously a lot people believe the Hall is pretty good.

 

[mbraue]

I hope you're right. At some point I think we have to improve our NET by at least 8 points to get into the lower 30s area because the number of quad 1 and quad 2 games isn't high over the final half of the season. Not sure beating Butler (61) Depaul (120) Xavier (99) and Marquette (148) moves the needle. I have no faith in the committee taking us at 41 in NET with only 1 Q1 win.

I hope you're right. At some point I think we have to improve our NET by at least 8 points to get into the lower 30s area because the number of quad 1 and quad 2 games isn't high over the final half of the season. Not sure beating Butler (61) Depaul (120) Xavier (99) and Marquette (148) moves the needle. I have no faith in the committee taking us at 41 in NET with only 1 Q1 win.

I hope you're right. At some point I think we have to improve our NET by at least 8 points to get into the lower 30s area because the number of quad 1 and quad 2 games isn't high over the final half of the season. Not sure beating Butler (61) Depaul (120) Xavier (99) and Marquette (148) moves the needle. I have no faith in the committee taking us at 41 in NET with only 1 Q1 win.

No worries. We have 14 regular season conference games left against the above listed teams. I feel we need at least 8 future wins by The BigEast Tournament. 9 would be better and 10 fantastic. If the team is who we believe they are, this will get done. The team could certainly lose to any team on the remaining schedule. No historically bad teams in the BE this season. Although losing at UConn is the strongest possibility, the other games are all in play. It would be smart to pick off SJU at least once and maybe take either the Nova or Creighton away games. Should the team advance past the Thursday BigEast Tournament game, they may have another chance for a Quad 1 win there too.

Butler up first. Hope the offense can improve.

Yup. Quality is more important than quantity. I learned that the hard way in 2024. This isn’t the old BigEast when 13 wins was impressive. Sadly, the league is down.

This is why we must take 1 or 2 from Nova or Johnnies. And then just win and win convincingly when you should and improve offense so those metrics get better. All games can't be come from behind wins.

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

Think your way off. Team is currently rank #25 in the country. Obviously a lot people believe the Hall is pretty good.

I wish I were. But top 25 voting means absolutely nothing when it comes to your NCAA tournament resume.

1. There are 61 voters for the AP top 25. Of those 61 voters 35 left us off their ballot (57%). And since we lost to UConn, regardless of the Butler result, we will be out of the top 25 come Monday.

2. We currently have a NET of 41. By metrics alone that would put you as the first 11 seed.

3. And in the scenario I provided above they would add very few quality wins to the existing resume, while other schools will probably do just that.

I think they are a tournament team, they currently are a tournament team, and the eye test says that as well.

However, there is a lot of work still to do, and there is a possibility that a gaudy 23-8 (13-7) could still be on the fringe.

 

[Piratz]

I'd sign for 23-8, 13-7 right now and take my chance with the rest of the Bubble. Right now our Super Bowls are at St. John's, at Villanova, at Connecticut.

Root for NC State (#29 NET). That is holding on us our best win. As well as Kansas State (#78) and Providence (#86) to find themselves. Kansas State and Providence are two teams that are way more talented than they're showing and we need them to finish NET #75 or better; significantly better, I hope.

 

[NittanyPirate]

So many different factors at play such as
Who we beat
How we win
How well the teams we beat play
How well the teams we lost to play
How the other bubble team play
How many bid thieves will their be in early-mid march
How are metrics stack up vs others
Can we another 1 or 2 quad 1 games
Can we avoid bad losses
Can we stay healthy
Plus others I’m forgetting

Just win.

BTW, I can’t overstate how much I enjoy being able to have these conversations in mid January. Pirates bball is back!

 

[lloyde dobler]

So many different factors at play such as
Who we beat
How we win
How well the teams we beat play
How well the teams we lost to play
How the other bubble team play
How many bid thieves will their be in early-mid march
How are metrics stack up vs others
Can we another 1 or 2 quad 1 games
Can we avoid bad losses
Can we stay healthy
Plus others I’m forgetting

Just win.

BTW, I can’t overstate how much I enjoy being able to have these conversations in mid January. Pirates bball is back!

Missing a big one that’s been very impressive: Road/neutral record

 

[NYC Pirate]

So many different factors at play such as
Who we beat
How we win
How well the teams we beat play
How well the teams we lost to play
How the other bubble team play
How many bid thieves will their be in early-mid march
How are metrics stack up vs others
Can we another 1 or 2 quad 1 games
Can we avoid bad losses
Can we stay healthy
Plus others I’m forgetting

Just win.

BTW, I can’t overstate how much I enjoy being able to have these conversations in mid January. Pirates bball is back!

It's just awesome being able to have this conversation after last season. Prudential was rocking during the could be UConn comeback. The Defense is solid but still could improve a bit defending the paint. However, it's imperative the coaching staff enhances the offense. Parker is coming on. Don't love him as the backup PG, but he's doing everything else. Simpkins plays at a high level mainly on the road. For me they NEED Staton-McCray to be the factor he was. He's the guy that can hit the three, make midrange shots and score going to the rim. He may be the difference in being in or left out.

 

[NCAAsorBust]

Do most realize we could get to 13-7 in BE play and still have no real depth to our resume?

2 wins vs Marquette, Georgetown, DePaul, Xavier, Butler, Providence

1 win at home vs Creighton

if that is the formula to get to 13-7 then you may end up with during conference play:
6 - quads 3 wins
6 - quad 2 wins
1 - quad 1 win (@ Butler assuming they stay top 75, presently 61)

you would also be 0-7 in all other quad 1 games.

the OOC schedule while better than what we produced in 2023-24 is still a far cry from a resume builder.
6 quad 4 cupcakes, plus Washington State and Rutgers are helping us in no way whatsoever.

This team could be at 23-8 heading into the BET and still be squarely on the bubble.

Don’t let anyone else try to fool you otherwise.

You did everything but be blunt and say that the Big East SUCKS this year as a whole. There's no guarantee of 4 teams getting in this year. It's that simple. Don't rely on winning games against the middle to bottom of the big east to get in.

 

[Seton75]

First play of the game...Budd penetrates and kicks to AJ. Bingo!!! And a bounceback game follows. We make some shots, play the same D and some Pirate fans complain about a boring game.

IronKaz' bloodpressure is stable all afternoon!

 

[IronKaz1]

hahahahaha IRONKAZ loves his Pirates hence the emotional jeckyl and hide ways :- )

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

A tough day got worse for the Pirates resume. NC state just lost at home as a 17.5 favorite vs a preciously 10-8 Georgia Tech team.

 

[HallGuy2323]

A tough day got worse for the Pirates resume. NC state just lost at home as a 17.5 favorite vs a preciously 10-8 Georgia Tech team.

Pretty much every result that could hurt us has happened every night. We’re going from the Top 25 to the NIT in a single week.

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

Pretty much every result that could hurt us has happened every night. We’re going from the Top 25 to the NIT in a single week.

Lots of basketball to be played. Which is why I hate bracketology this early on. I know, I love the analytics of it all, but it’s still an overreaction by most, good or bad.
However, their resume as I have stated, has always been fringe worthy.

They are probably still on the right side at the moment.

But if they lose the next 3 marquee road opportunities (SJU, NOVA, CU) they will most likely be on the wrong side of the bubble even if they win the other 3 in between.