Postseason Expectations

mattc

mattc

Well-known member
2023 $upporter
Figured it was time to start this convo.

Before the season started, I wouldn’t accept anything less than a win in the tournament. Now that it’s March and given how the season has gone, I think anything less than Sweet 16 would be a disappointment given that we’re going to be a 2-4 seed. Anything beyond that is gravy for me.

Thoughts?
 
Anything less than playing in the second weekend is a disappointment and the final 4 will be a success. After watching Bama vs Tennessee yesterday I’m convinced this team can play with anyone so I’m beginning to think we need to aim higher. Pitino will have these guys peaking at the right time.
 
mattc said:
Figured it was time to start this convo.

Before the season started, I wouldn’t accept anything less than a win in the tournament. Now that it’s March and given how the season has gone, I think anything less than Sweet 16 would be a disappointment given that we’re going to be a 2-4 seed. Anything beyond that is gravy for me.

Thoughts?
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One and done are straight up crapshoots. Real accomplishment IMO is behind them. I will be bummed and disappointed whenever they lose again because they are capable up of winning out but very much “accepting” of whatever happens, no doubt about it. Just hope if they lose it is not because they beat themselves.
 
Expect... i expect the Sweet 16 from this group... the Top 6 or so teams in the country are all really good... so depending on matchups... we'll see. But I know we can hang with anyone... so I wouldn't be surprised if we get to San Antonio

It's tough to walk away "dissappointed" experiencing a Season like this from a group of kids that made Defense their identity...

I would only be mildly upset if we lose in the first round...
 
I'm not a bucket list guy in life. I believe in enjoying the good as it occurs. There are 351 teams in D1. Eventually all but one is done. If SJU isn't the one I will be disappointed in that moment but quickly appreciate the season for all of the joy it brought me.

I understand why the team needs targets and goals, but I'm good, whatever happens the rest of the way.
 
Anything less than Sweet 16 would be disappointing. Richmond is the kind of player you only get every handful of years that you talk about for decades. To have him the same time we have RJ and Zuby is special.

Maybe Wilcher goes nuts too and we talk about the 2024-25 team also has a soph Wilcher. “Oh, and that Deivon Smith was a freak athlete too!”

It’s been hard separating my past St. John’s trauma expectations of failure with a true Rick Pitino team expectations. I committed earlier this season to going with the latter, so Sweet 16 or bust.
 
I'm going with the 2nd weekend.

Elite8 or bust.

I'm expecting to win the whole damn thing, and wth not?

We got the BEST EVER DAMN COACH IN BASKETBALL.

You can talk about Wooden and others being the best ever, but they did it at one school.

Rick never stayed put at any place he's been at, you could argue that if he stayed at PC long enough, he probably would have won a NC there as well.
 
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In reality we'll probably only have a 20% or so chance to win the BET. I wouldn't be too upset if we don't win it but I'm hoping a loss wouldn't be the difference in being a 3 vs 4 seed. So much will depend on what happens around the rest of the country there. But win on Thursday (no guarantee) and if we do lose Friday or Saturday make sure it's a competitive game.

As for the NCAA Tournament goes, as has been mentioned it's a crapshoot and all about matchups. Making the 2nd weekend should be the goal. 10 years from now when we're looking back at this team it wouldn't hit the same if it was just Big East Regular Season Champs and 2nd round team. Adding Sweet 16/Elite 8 etc adds so much more.

That said, while far from perfect, Bart's Tourneycast currently gives us less than a 50% chance of making the Sweet 16. Looks like we're one line underseeded there but it's probably not far off. True odds are probably around 50%

barttorvik.com

TourneyCast - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank

T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.
barttorvik.com
 
The biggest difference about us is that we are arguably the best defensive team in the country and that is one thing that doesn’t rely on matchups. It gives us a distinct advantage because we are exceedingly hard to play against and teams will have to figure out how to work past that regardless how good they are.

I expect us to play our best ball in the post-season and if we keep our defensive intensity every game, we will go deep into the tourney.
 
MCNPA said:
The biggest difference about us is that we are arguably the best defensive team in the country and that is one thing that doesn’t rely on matchups. It gives us a distinct advantage because we are exceedingly hard to play against and teams will have to figure out how to work past that regardless how good they are.

I expect us to play our best ball in the post-season and if we keep our defensive intensity every game, we will go deep into the tourney.
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I feel like we will play in the Tourney like we did against UConn, maybe even alittle better.
 
Moose said:
2nd weekend

What scares me is BET.
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Exact sentiments.
I have doubts we will win the BE tournament and just hope we win our first two games in the big dance which will be tough. If they do that I will be delighted. I still have PtSD from 83 where we lost in the sweet 16 after finishing the season ranked 3rd, 1987, 1989 and 1992. A lot of nightmares still.
Hate to say it but Uconn is looking their old self as of late. They will not be a pushover and could go far in the BET and the big dance.
 
mattc said:
Figured it was time to start this convo.

Before the season started, I wouldn’t accept anything less than a win in the tournament. Now that it’s March and given how the season has gone, I think anything less than Sweet 16 would be a disappointment given that we’re going to be a 2-4 seed. Anything beyond that is gravy for me.

Thoughts?
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I agree Matt, Sweet 16 and I’ll be happy. I’m happy now but I want the Sweet 16. Anything beyond that would be amazing!
 
Mullins Revenge said:
I am just happy to be in the tournament. Next year there will be major expectations for this team. This year, we are playing w/ house money.

Enjoy the ride fellas.
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What? We’re ranked 7th in the country. The major expectations are THIS year. Why on earth would we have to wait another season to expect postseason success?
 
redmannorth said:
Exact sentiments.
I have doubts we will win the BE tournament and just hope we win our first two games in the big dance which will be tough. If they do that I will be delighted. I still have PtSD from 83 where we lost in the sweet 16 after finishing the season ranked 3rd, 1987, 1989 and 1992. A lot of nightmares still.
Hate to say it but Uconn is looking their old self as of late. They will not be a pushover and could go far in the BET and the big dance.
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I'm praying for UCONN in the B.E. Tourny.
They beat us 3 times last year, and I'm still really pissed about that. I know, I can't lets the small things go.

I want to return the favor this year.
 
redmannorth said:
Exact sentiments.
I have doubts we will win the BE tournament and just hope we win our first two games in the big dance which will be tough. If they do that I will be delighted. I still have PtSD from 83 where we lost in the sweet 16 after finishing the season ranked 3rd, 1987, 1989 and 1992. A lot of nightmares still.
Hate to say it but Uconn is looking their old self as of late. They will not be a pushover and could go far in the BET and the big dance.
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Yukon (if it still sets up like I saw yesterday) will have trouble with Xavier. X appears to be peaking and I now expect they will be in the Tournament.
 
I will say that it is both funny and ironic that the NCAA this season will not count the Big East tourney games as SJU home games. This is the first year in decades that we actually likely WILL have a home team advantage playing the BET in the Garden. 🤣
 
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