Don’t look now but The Marquette Golden Eagles are back in The
Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. The Golden Eagles finished
second in The Big East Conference which is a testament to the team’s
toughness. Marquette doesn’t specialize in getting the top recruits, but
just like the blue-collar city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin that the team
plays in, this team will outwork their opponents. Marquette’s success
starts with head coach Buzz Williams. In 2008, Williams took over for
Tom Crean who left for a bigger payday with The Indiana Hoosiers.
Williams inherited a veteran squad led by current Portland Trailblazers
guard Wesley Matthews. In Williams’ first season, The Golden Eagles won
25 games including 12 games in The Big East. The consensus was that
Williams won with Crean’s team.
Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season. The Golden Eagles finished
second in The Big East Conference which is a testament to the team’s
toughness. Marquette doesn’t specialize in getting the top recruits, but
just like the blue-collar city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin that the team
plays in, this team will outwork their opponents. Marquette’s success
starts with head coach Buzz Williams. In 2008, Williams took over for
Tom Crean who left for a bigger payday with The Indiana Hoosiers.
Williams inherited a veteran squad led by current Portland Trailblazers
guard Wesley Matthews. In Williams’ first season, The Golden Eagles won
25 games including 12 games in The Big East. The consensus was that
Williams won with Crean’s team.
Since then Williams has put his own stamp on Marquette Basketball as the
team has made The NCAA Tournament every year since he has been at the
helm. The current Marquette team will square off against The Florida
Gators in The West Regional Semifinal on Thursday night.
team has made The NCAA Tournament every year since he has been at the
helm. The current Marquette team will square off against The Florida
Gators in The West Regional Semifinal on Thursday night.
This season was put in jeopardy in December when center Chris Otule was
lost for the season due to an ACL injury. Williams turned to a pair of
seniors to lead this team. Guard Darius Johnson-Odom and forward Jae
Crowder have stepped up in a big way. Neither Johnson-Odom or Crowder
were highly recruited out of high school as they both came to Marquette
via junior college. Both players have earned All-Big East first-team
honors with Crowder receiving conference Player of The Year honors. The
duo has combined to average 36 points per game, but it has been the
knack for the big plays that has The Golden Eagles still dancing.
lost for the season due to an ACL injury. Williams turned to a pair of
seniors to lead this team. Guard Darius Johnson-Odom and forward Jae
Crowder have stepped up in a big way. Neither Johnson-Odom or Crowder
were highly recruited out of high school as they both came to Marquette
via junior college. Both players have earned All-Big East first-team
honors with Crowder receiving conference Player of The Year honors. The
duo has combined to average 36 points per game, but it has been the
knack for the big plays that has The Golden Eagles still dancing.
Last week against The Murray State Racers, Crowder put Marquette on his
back in the second half. During a crucial 14-2 run, Crowder chipped in
with six points as The Golden Eagles held on for a 62-53 victory.
Crowder knows how to fill up a stat sheet as he finished the game with
17 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. The chiseled
Johnson-Odom reminds me of a Corvette on Interstate-95 during Memorial
Day Weekend. Johnson-Odom darts in and out of traffic on the court and
he can go coast-to-coast in a New York minute.
back in the second half. During a crucial 14-2 run, Crowder chipped in
with six points as The Golden Eagles held on for a 62-53 victory.
Crowder knows how to fill up a stat sheet as he finished the game with
17 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. The chiseled
Johnson-Odom reminds me of a Corvette on Interstate-95 during Memorial
Day Weekend. Johnson-Odom darts in and out of traffic on the court and
he can go coast-to-coast in a New York minute.
Senior leadership and players doing whatever it takes to win is what is
is expected at Marquette as players rarely leave early and tough minded
upperclassmen carry the team. Players such as Lazar Hayward, Jimmy
Butler, Steve Novak, and Jerel McNeal have played for Marquette in the
last decade. Each player was an afterthought coming out of high school
and they became the product of Marquette’s program. We can throw one
underclassman into the mix as Dwayne Wade led The Golden Eagles to an
appearance to The Final Four in 2003 during his junior year. These
players were overlooked by most schools and they have found a home in
Milwaukee. One thing that cannot be overlooked is the success of that
Willams and Marquette are enjoying.
is expected at Marquette as players rarely leave early and tough minded
upperclassmen carry the team. Players such as Lazar Hayward, Jimmy
Butler, Steve Novak, and Jerel McNeal have played for Marquette in the
last decade. Each player was an afterthought coming out of high school
and they became the product of Marquette’s program. We can throw one
underclassman into the mix as Dwayne Wade led The Golden Eagles to an
appearance to The Final Four in 2003 during his junior year. These
players were overlooked by most schools and they have found a home in
Milwaukee. One thing that cannot be overlooked is the success of that
Willams and Marquette are enjoying.
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