AP Photo
Twenty wins for MU, led by #20's (Steve Novak) twenty points. Marquette knocks off Providence on Senior Day to finish 10-6 in the Big East and 20-9 for the regular season. A tremendous accomplishment for Marquette, it's players and coaching staff in their first year in the Big East. Congratulations to all of them.
MU will be either the 5th or 4th seed in the Big East tournament starting on Wednesday. If South Florida can beat Georgetown tonight, the Golden Eagles will earn a bye and play on Thursday as the 4th seed. If the Bulls cannot muster their first win of the year, then MU will be the 5th seed and play probably Louisville or Notre Dame on Wednesday.
MU was led by Steve Novak's 20 points and 6 three pointers. Wes Matthews finished with 18 while Barro and McNeal each chipped in 13 for the winning team.
Novak score 17 of his 20 points in the second half including 11 points in a five minute span to put MU in the driver's seat. Coach Crean pulled Novak out of the game with 19 seconds left as the Bradley Center crowd roared with approval. Novak shattered the Big East record this year for most three pointers made in a season and could very well have played his way into a NBA career. But first he and Marquette have some other business to take care of. The Big East Tournament next week and what appears to be a sure bid to the NCAA tournament next Sunday.
Seniors Joe Chapman, Chris Grimm, and Steve Novak were all honored after the game. These are the final three players remaining from MU's Final Four run from 2003. Todd Rosiak has a nice article on the three freshman below and Cracked Sidewalks also honored all three this week with various postings. Check them out below. A crowd of 18,712 were there to honor the three of these young men. We are all very proud!
Journal Sentinel recap
GoMarquette.com recap
One Last Dance - Salute to Seniors from MJS
AP game recap
Boxscore
Was at the game...Dominic's three oop passes to Wesley for dunks were incredible.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to not only the B.East tourney...and NCAA's, but watching these kids (James, Matthews and Jerel) develop.
...on the conference tourney. I hope it's G-town/L'ville and L'ville wins.
OOOOH! Do we owe those slimeballs!