Gotta love Al McGuire. Tom Crean sends his Marquette Warriors to the Bradley Center today to take on the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Despite MU's problems of late, exacerbated by both injury and illness, this team has yet to endure a bad loss, but lacks a convincing victory in the last few weeks - the equivalent of barely treading water. While certain aspects of this season are frustrating regardless of injury or illness - - consider MU's struggles with rebounding and offensive continuity - - the squad can still turn the corner if it holds on until Diener (hopefully) returns.
Sure, Pollyanna has invaded this blog, but with a home game today followed by two winnable road games and four of the final five games of the season at home, why not?
In effect, today is a must-win for Marquette. Southern Mississippi embarrassed MU last season up in Green Bay, so revenge should be part of the equation today as well. MU could be without Diener, Joe Chapman and Niv Berkowitz - - meaning any win would be fugly. But a win is a win is a win when faced with a depleted roster. And wins all look the same on Selection Sunday.
Of course, in this series, the visitor has had a decided advantage.
ReplyDelete1980-81 H L 72-84
1995-96 A W 58-55
1996-97 H W 61-44
1997-98 A W 46-43
1998-99 H L 50-59
1999-00 A W 79-67
2000-01 H L 65-78
2001-02 A W 72-58
2003-04 A L 61-83
Not saying past history is any indication of future results. Just an ominous tidbit.
The must-win was won.
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