Walking into the Bradley center for a Marquette game is always an experience; they have some of the best fans in the country. But it is even more intense when it is against the WI Badgers! I don’t know what it is about this rivalry, maybe because Marquette has played them more than any other team, or now because they are both ranked in the top 25, but it really lights a fire in people.
It’s funny, during the season I will cheer for Marquette when we’re not playing them, and I know some of them cheer for WI, but there’s NEVER a mixed feeling when they go head to head.
Before the game even started the Marquette student section was chanting threats towards what I thought was me…but I think it may have been the WI fans a few rows up, haha. Yelling “Buck the Fadgers!” as well as other little gems.
In case you missed it, the game started off pretty tight, score for score, with the majority being 3-pointers. Then MU started to look a little sub-par if you know what I mean. But they came back to tie it up with 10:05 left in the 2nd half. The crowd completely erupted in cheers!
Then there was the “Dance Cam” on the jumbo-tron where they not only had the usual peppy people do a little jig, but then there was the guy in the Badgers T-shirt and a big red afro wig. The camera stopped on him, the fans let out a huge boo… and then he tossed the wig and ripped off the shirt like Hulk Hogan! Underneath, you guessed it, was a bright yellow Marquette shirt. The crowd again went nuts!
From then on it was a shot for shot game and it was hard to tell which team wanted it more. As the Golden Eagles started to pull ahead it seemed like the fire was dying in WI. With 22 seconds left and the score 60-56 Marquette, you could stick a fork in this one, because it was over…
Final: Marquette 61, Badgers 58
Afterwards, Marquette senior Jerel McNeal attributed the win to aggression, offensive rebounding, and making plays great plays sometimes out of nothing against a tough WI defense. He felt like the momentum was on their side in the 2nd half of the game. He and a few of the other guys were excited that they came out of this rivalry at 2-2.
WI’s Joe Krabbenhoft mentioned that Marquette definitely came out as the aggressor the 2nd half of the game, in every way. They out rebounded and played better defense. He said that he knows WI has the talent and the guys to do the same, but it just didn’t happen for them this game. Give Marquette credit, that’s what they do, they get guys in foul trouble.
Bo Ryan did not like losing the lead and trying to play from behind on the road; never a situation you want to be in. As far as trying to play against Marquette’s zone in the 2nd half, he said that it’s definitely something that they prepared for, but they just did not get off the boat and take it to the next level. “When we practice tomorrow it’ll be about Idaho State. I don’t really know anything about them…” “The beat goes on. I trust them.”
The Badgers plan on getting in the gym tomorrow, working on the little stuff, and getting better. 1 game at a time.
Buzz Williams said that this was a fantastic college basketball game, and not just because they won. He said that they were really good at attacking the paint, defensive they were good, and that they had good offensive character. In reference to McNeal, "I didn't know that he scored 14 straight, but I knew the play (screen) was working."
Buzz makes a point to say, "I like our team to play with an edge. I like our team to play from behind...well not literally, but with that mentality." "Rebounding is so important to us because every team we play is bigger than us and we can not afford to give them extra posessions."
Random thoughts:
Buzz Williams looks pretty good in a suit. What an intense guy. Good pick Marquette. Bo Ryan may have a few years on this guy, but who ever said that experience makes winners?
One 40 yr old lady was very surprised and totally loving it when one of the players fell right into her lap courtside. It was like an early Holiday present! :)