Our first depressed Marquette Golden Eagle post! Yes, these didn't come around until mid-January last season but in all honesty, this is more positive then negative. When the Golden Eagles lost Chris O'Tule for the year, I sighed and told Mach this could be a very long year. Mach requested a fast-forward to 2010, which I think is impossible unless you are Adam Sandler in Click. Anyways, the start to the year got off to a better start than I believe any Marquette fan thought it actually would.
Thursday afternoon against Xavier, Marquette got outrebounded letting Reggie Love have a career day with 21 points and 19 rebounds. Love is a going to be a superstar in the mid-major circuit, big time potential to have a big year this year. The Golden Eagles got a great game from Lazar Hayward who appears to embrace the senior leadership post. Jimmy Butler looked awesome showing why Mach and I loved him last year, just a hustler gets after it no matter what. Darius Johnson-Odom impressed me all weekend and started on Thursday.
I thought they could get past Xavier but I worried about Manny Harris/DeShawn Sims of #15 Michigan. Tough, athletic team with a 1-3-1 zone that can frustrate even Teen Wolf. DJO tore that zone apart finding holes consistently during the game. Include another inspired performances by Hayward and Butler, you get a 14 point Marquette victory. Their defense all weekend was top-notch, ignore the rebounds they gave up at times but they created so many turnovers.
Florida State is a game I blame myself for losing. Went to the gym at around 650 completely forgetting Marquette playing and then before I hit the treadmill I remember they were on. Mad at myself and questioning my fanhood, I turn on the game to see a 30-18 game at half. I endured watching the second half and the pain that came with it... I blame myself really. In my opinion, I didn't see enough of Dwight Bucyks and felt Buzz got Mike McCarthy-conservative way too early in the game. MU pumped the breaks after a 17-point lead if they kept being agressive I feel they run away with the game by 10 points or so. Also Butler 4/12 from the line hurt worse than anything else on Sunday.
Looking back on it, a 2-1 weekend is as good as Marquette fans can ask for. Most people probably thought MU goes 1-2, or even a disastrous 0-3. The expectations for this team are low but I think this team will overcome this hiccup against FSU... at least I hope.
-Charlie.
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