Match up with Marquette or Washington? Best choice?

[StacyMac]

I know we shouldn't look ahead of Montana but what do we know about Marquette and Washington? Which would be our best match-up?

[badger77]

I know we shouldn't look ahead of Montana

You are correct.

[pjamj]

Point well taken, we should not look ahead.

[StacyMac]

I know I'm just filling out my bracket predictions...

[pjamj]

I know I'm just filling out my bracket predictions...

OK...but you didn't say that! I picked Marquette to win over Washington FWIW! That and $4.5 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks!

[Zoukmaster]

I think that game is a pretty even matchup. A gritty team in Marquette versus an explosive and athletic team in Washington. I picked Washington just because it's in San Jose, so Marquette is traveling all the way across the country. Washington has a much easier trip. That's the X-factor in my opinion; advantage Huskies.

[stubbins]

I know we shouldn't look ahead of Montana but what do we know about Marquette and Washington? Which would be our best match-up?

I like Washington...we played them tough before, should've won if it weren't for some homecooking in the second half and I think we beat them this time to move on to the sweet 16...wait a minute, what site am I on....OH SH!T...I thought I was on egriz. Sorry fellas, don't want to take the time to erase that, so I'll just leave it.

[LoboDogg]

I like Marquette for my brackets' sake

[VWolf]

I know we shouldn't look ahead of Montana but what do we know about Marquette and Washington? Which would be our best match-up?

Since we are not the team, I think this is safe to answer. I believe we match up best with Marquette. Washington is an ath-ah-letic squad and loaded with talent. They underperformed for much of the season but have been on a roll as of late. They are the strongest 11 seed in the dance, and probably one of the strongest seeds below 7. I could see a game with U-Dub turning into an SDSU like affair where the last scoring possession wins the game.

[wolf1960]

NO LOOKING PAST ANY TEAM IN THE TOURNEY, any team can beat any other team, we will see some upsets in the 1st round..

[Yakkacat25]

Just looking at the Marquette vs UW matchup the Huskies need Gant and Breshers to hit the boards and be tough on the interior defensively. Isaiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter will bring thier games. Overton gives them a toughness on defense. UDUB can score and they have shown they can play a little D as well. If they can play good position defense and stay agressive offensively like they have been I like the Huskies in this one. They took a beatdown to Georgetown earlier in the season so hopefully they learned something from that. Coach Romar will have them ready.

[dcrowley]

I'll be cheering for UW

[ps5335]

LOL you guys are funny. First you say I'm crazy for even suggesting that Montana has a shot to upset UNM, then you say 'Don't overlook Montana,' 'Don't look ahead.' I've got news for you. First, we're not on the team, we're FANS, so we have the luxury of being able to look ahead. Secondly, if the team or coaches are looking on lobolair.com for their queues, we have bigger problems than Montana. Speculation on the outcome of NCAA tournament games is normal, that's the point of March Madness.

[Yakkacat25]

LOL you guys are funny. First you say I'm crazy for even suggesting that Montana has a shot to upset UNM, then you say 'Don't overlook Montana,' 'Don't look ahead.' I've got news for you. First, we're not on the team, we're FANS, so we have the luxury of being able to look ahead. Secondly, if the team or coaches are looking on lobolair.com for their queues, we have bigger problems than Montana. Speculation on the outcome of NCAA tournament games is normal, that's the point of March Madness.

Speculation? You mean like your absurb opinion that you think Montana will upset UNM. Everyone is entitled to thier opinion if Lobo fans feel like they do not want to overlook Montana they are allowed to feel that way. This tournament can go a lot of ways. Thinking UNM is the most vulnerable is silly. If UNM plays like they have been in winning 15 out of 16 then they will comeout on top.

[ps5335]

Speculation? You mean like your absurb opinion that you think Montana will upset UNM. Everyone is entitled to thier opinion if Lobo fans feel like they do not want to overlook Montana they are allowed to feel that way. This tournament can go a lot of ways. Thinking UNM is the most vulnerable is silly. If UNM plays like they have been in winning 15 out of 16 then they will comeout on top.

Thanks for going out of your way to distort my opinion. I didn't say it's likely that Montana upsets UNM. I said that of the top 12 seeds, I think UNM is more vulnerable to an upset because they tend to play down to the level of their competition. I have supporting evidence for my view. I saw them narrowly escape Air Force (twice) and play absolute nailbiters at Colorado State, Wyoming and Utah, all mediocre teams. Is my opinion so outlandish? If everyone thought Montana was going to roll over and play dead for the Lobos, then there wouldn't be threads on here warning fans to give Montana some respect. They have one of the best players in the regional, which gives them more of a fighting chance than several other 14-16 seeds. Occasionally the Lobos pull away from their opponent, but the majority of the time this season they've preferred to let teams hang around until the final 2 minutes.

Do I think it will happen? No. Would I pick the Grizzlies in any of my brackets? No. But I've seen crazier things happen -- Hampton beating 2 seed Iowa State, Northwestern State beating #3 Iowa in 2003. If the Lobos lose because they shoot 25% from 3 pt land and Anthony Johnson goes off for 35 points, I'll be heartbroken, but it won't be like I didn't see it coming. It's not outrageous to think it's possible and I hope that fact motivates the team to step on the Grizz's neck when they get up by 10 pts.

[griz5700]

You're referring to Montana, right? hahaha.

Washington. We played them close earlier in the year, they don't want to see us again. It took their Pac10 refs to come in and save them at the end.

Can't wait for Thursday, you guys are the real deal and the Griz will have to play a near perfect game to come away with the W. After that second second half at Weber, anything is possible.

GRIZ NATION!

[timvracer]

Griz... hmmm, hearing that over and over I just can't help picturing some kind of fibrous material stuck between my teeth.


Ok Ok.... bad manners. Sorry MT fans!

[PTR]

A lot of the pundits (Lunardi, Dicky V the hack etc.) have probably never seen the Lobos play. UNM matches up better with UW, but I think they match up well with both teams. The teams that will give N.M. the most problems are those that have rotational depth over 6'8". Any team that can go with a quality rotation of 6'11, 6'9" 6'8" and into a half court set will give the Lobos real problems. West Virginia should the Lobos face them is a match up problem.

UW is athletic, but they aren't that big, aren't that deep, and they aren't a balanced scoring team. Pondexter is really good on both sides of the ball, but I think Hobson neutralizes him as a scoring threat. Thomas is good, but small. A Gary, Fenton, Garth rotation should do pretty well against him.

From the limited times I've seen them, Marquette in some ways mirrors the Lobos. Lazar Hayward is really good, but I think Hobson matches up well defensively with him, and is more versatile. Jimmy Butler is a sharper shooter (50 percent), and also grabs 6.5 boards per game. I imagine Ro will grab that defensive assignment. Finally, Darius Odom is another shooter. I'm pretty confident that Gary will shut him down. Marquette like us has limited size, and inconsistent post play.

Overall, I like UNM in a close game against either team.

[BCFink]

Talk giving a girl fits. I grew up in MT and have always had a soft spot for the Grizzlies, UW is my undergrad alma mater and UNM is my grad alma mater. Up until now I felt it was harmless to be a Facebook fan of Husky Men's Basketball. My whole family is having to realign loyalties so as not to fall out of favor with me. Ha. I think the Lobos will go through those teams in that order, though. While UW has been a bit inconsistent this year, Pondexter and Thomas are great players and the Huskies are really well coached. They can pour it on when it counts and it sometimes makes me nervous until I remember that they played in the Pac-10 this year. Both MT and UW will be FUN games to watch if that is the way it goes!

[Yakkacat25]

Thanks for going out of your way to distort my opinion. I didn't say it's likely that Montana upsets UNM. I said that of the top 12 seeds, I think UNM is more vulnerable to an upset because they tend to play down to the level of their competition. I have supporting evidence for my view. I saw them narrowly escape Air Force (twice) and play absolute nailbiters at Colorado State, Wyoming and Utah, all mediocre teams. Is my opinion so outlandish? If everyone thought Montana was going to roll over and play dead for the Lobos, then there wouldn't be threads on here warning fans to give Montana some respect. They have one of the best players in the regional, which gives them more of a fighting chance than several other 14-16 seeds. Occasionally the Lobos pull away from their opponent, but the majority of the time this season they've preferred to let teams hang around until the final 2 minutes.

Do I think it will happen? No. Would I pick the Grizzlies in any of my brackets? No. But I've seen crazier things happen -- Hampton beating 2 seed Iowa State, Northwestern State beating #3 Iowa in 2003. If the Lobos lose because they shoot 25% from 3 pt land and Anthony Johnson goes off for 35 points, I'll be heartbroken, but it won't be like I didn't see it coming. It's not outrageous to think it's possible and I hope that fact motivates the team to step on the Grizz's neck when they get up by 10 pts.

You pretty much distorted your own opinion. Saying UNM is likely to be upset means you think they will. No reason to backtrack. A lot of teams in this tournament tend to play down to the level of competition. There are a lot of unknowns in this tournament. This team will be ready. UNM knows what they have to do. PITT is a lot more vulnerable than UNM is. UNM did have some close games this year. It's not easy. That's college basketball no such thing as an easy win. I do not agree with your logic in regards to why UNM will lose to Montana but hey if that's what you think then okay.

UNM has played good against really good teams. There a lot of good teams in college basketball who are not ranked. That is what makes this tournament great. You have to realize that even the smaller schools have a chip on thier shoulder and UNM will be in a tussle whomever they play because both teams want it bad. Talent really matters when it comes to winning in the tournament. It's not the only thing but a big part. UNM has the right pieces to go a long way. KU has had some games where they have stumbled a bit against teams below thier level of competition as have UK, DUKE and others. UNM is not the only team that has gone through this.

[txlobo95]

From Griz:

Can't wait for Thursday, you guys are the real deal and the Griz will have to play a near perfect game to come away with the W. After that second second half at Weber, anything is possible.

Actually, I'm hoping you have two halves like you played your first half, when you were down by 20...

We need to have a statement game and would love to start it in game 1!