OK, so we've addressed the moments we all would like to forget. Now, to end on a high note, let's talk abut the moments we will never forget as Marquette basketball fans.
Here's mine:
1) 1977 -- This goes without saying, but it's what we all play the game for.
2) "That" Kentucky Game -- 2003 when DWade went nuts and singlehandedly lifted us to the Final Four. I think that game was Al McGuire's first miracle on the way to sainthood. He's now the "Blessed Al" because clearly that miracle is attributed to him.
3) Al flipping off Old Man Hughes after MU just beat Wisconsin at the buzzer. Was there ever a better statement about Marquette basketball?
4) Doc Rivers' 400 foot jump shot to beat Notre Dame.
Quote from: dgies9156 on July 24, 2010, 01:51:15 PM
OK, so we've addressed the moments we all would like to forget. Now, to end on a high note, let's talk abut the moments we will never forget as Marquette basketball fans.
Here's mine:
1) 1977 -- This goes without saying, but it's what we all play the game for.
2) "That" Kentucky Game -- 2003 when DWade went nuts and singlehandedly lifted us to the Final Four. I think that game was Al McGuire's first miracle on the way to sainthood. He's now the "Blessed Al" because clearly that miracle is attributed to him.
3) Al flipping off Old Man Hughes after MU just beat Wisconsin at the buzzer. Was there ever a better statement about Marquette basketball?
4) Doc Rivers' 400 foot jump shot to beat Notre Dame.
Yes, the 1977 championship is easily the best moment. Was there for that Final 4 and those Atlanta moments are forever in my heart.
- Beating Kentucky to get into the 1994 Sweet 16
- Dameon Mason's buzzer beater vs Louisville
- Aaron Hutchin's GW vs the Cards
- Jimmy B's game winners this year vs. UCONN and SJU
- Novak's 41 pt, 16 reb on UConn
- DJ's last second shot vs Valpo
Other than the biggies already mentioned.
-DJ calmly sinking 2 throw against Pitt
-DJ's shot @ NC State (partial cause I was there)
-Doofus walking onto the court @ PC (again partial b/c I was there)
-Novak v. UCONN
-Jimmy's buzzer beaters last year
One of my favorites which is not a very big moment relative to others in MU's history was the Pitt game at the end of 2007.
It was ESPN college game day, Pitt was better ranked, Aaron Gray was a tough matchup, and Jerel was hurt, so it was a tough game for MU. Cubillan played big and MU got the upset. Great game.
Outside of the entire Al era anytime we beat Kentucky, ND, Louisville and UW.
In retrospective, Crean leaving...
Although it was the NIT.. the Virginia Tech game was brought up in the other thread.. and as tough as that game was, one of my favorites was the game at the Mecca when we beat South Florida to punch our ticket to NYC. Never thought I'd get that excited about an NIT game, but the atmosphere was incredible, not to mention it was a close game.
Quote from: 79Warrior on July 24, 2010, 04:59:52 PM
Quote from: madtownwarrior on July 24, 2010, 04:21:13 PM
In retrospective, Crean leaving...
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Crean leaving is one of the best moments in MU history...
Having been at the 1970 NIT semi-final and championship games and being at the
Final Four at the Omni in Atlanta in 1977, I have to say it's just hard to beat that when the Warriors came out on top. Great times and memories that I'll cherish forever.
Having said that, Crean's departure is close in comparison.
Folks, I think you're being unkind to Traitor Tommy. Many of us wrongly thought the university had gone down the Dukiet route with Buzz and many more of us just simply forgot he was the guy who saved us from Mike Deane. Sure, Traitor Tommy showed a lack of class when he left and sure Traitor Tommy's introductory speech at Indiana sounded suspiciously like the one he gave at Marquette several years before but many of us lamented his departure and wondered about the future of the program.
To suggest his departure was one of the greatest moments in MU history puts excessive emphasis on Traitor Tommy. Let go of him. We're better off with Buzz, dontcha think?
That's the point. MU hoops wouldn't be anywhere near where it is today if the T-Cubed were still here. Therefore, by definition, his departure was one of the best moments in Marquette basketball history.
Crean's departure probably doesn't fit the definition of "moment" enough to make the list, though the early returns on Buzz is that Buzz is the better coach and recruiter than Tom Crean. Buzz is projecting to have a better year 5 at Marquette than Crean's year 5 at Indiana which is when you can really step back and evaluate a coach, I think.
We can be happy we have Buzz, but I guarantee everyone was worried back in April 2008 that MU would make a bad hire and end up like Iowa basketball just as easily as fans thought we could maintain the 10+ wins and making the tourney that the Crean era gave. MU does appear to be headed toward breaking the ranked 15-35 and first weekend exit trend. Buzz's new teams, based on recruiting, should be top 15 and Sweet 16 teams.
George Frazier's buzzer beater to stun Memphis State on the road in 1973. Watched the game in the Union and the dorms all emptied out into Wisconsin Ave and we ran halfway to the lake.
Beating ND and Austin Carr at the Arena in 70-71 season.
Beating the Russian National team in the midnight exhibition game to start the 76 or 77 season.
Best game I saw was in Madison when MU beat down an all white team, Issel, Pratt and Casey and
Adolph Rupp. First time I ever saw confederate flags at a game, MU was basically all black except
Jeff Sewell. The crowd was pro MU even if the game was in Madison, was unbelievable. I still can see
Dean Memminger stealing the ball and putting his arm about a foot over the rim and laying it in, could
not dunk then, to take about a 13 point lead in the first half.
The sad part and one of the toughest loses came next, losing to Rick Mount in finals in overtime. MU
would have played UCLA and Lew Alcindor in the semi's. To bad. This lose was much like the loss against
Ohio St. a few years later.
Michael Wilson shattering the backboard at Memphis. Shouldn't of gotten the technical, probably costing us the game.
See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcuEIuTagg0
One of my favorite moments was one of the first time we played USF down in Tampa. Attended the game with my brother, a USF alum. We held USF to 0-20something from 3 point land, betting them 71-36. That was when USF coach Seth Greenberg uttered the famous comment "Some days you're the dog, some days, you're the tree. Today, we were the tree."
From an article I found about it:
South Florida falls to No. 24-ranked Marquette 71-36 Thursday in its worst-ever defeat at the Sun Dome.
This one ended before it began. The University of South Florida Bulls were drubbed by the No. 24-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles 71-36 Thursday night in a Conference USA game that set several negative USF records.
Beating the Russian National team in the midnight exhibition game to start the 76 or 77 season.
It was 1976 and that was the first game we knew we had something truly special. The team was essentially the same team that had stolen the 1972 Olympic Games. It was a tough team and we played International Rules.
What Marquette did to them was amazing. I remember walking away from the Arena that night thinking this was the best Marquette team... ever ... and that we had something that was above and beyond what we had ever before seen. Our faith that night was borne out 15 months later on a wet early spring day in Atlanta. We absolutely destroyed the Russians that night -- they ended up looking slow and very old.
Too bad Bobby Knight had the last NCAA end to end undefeated team that year.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on July 24, 2010, 06:36:56 PM
That's the point. MU hoops wouldn't be anywhere near where it is today if the T-Cubed were still here. Therefore, by definition, his departure was one of the best moments in Marquette basketball history.
True, we would never have gone to the Final Four and still be in Mike Deane territory, playing in Conference USA and happy with NIT bids.
Jmmy's buzzer beaters this year were great. Was watching the SJU game on ESPN 360 in the Business school, while doing a group project.
Quote from: Jay Bee on July 24, 2010, 04:50:32 PM
Although it was the NIT.. the Virginia Tech game was brought up in the other thread.. and as tough as that game was, one of my favorites was the game at the Mecca when we beat South Florida to punch our ticket to NYC. Never thought I'd get that excited about an NIT game, but the atmosphere was incredible, not to mention it was a close game.
I had cultural dance Practice that night and was itching to go...but I had a commitment. But when we wrapped things up, we turned on the boombox to listen to Homer and George (?) call the game. Then Theron downto the lake ensued after a gathering of MU folks in front of the AMU, I believe. Awesome memory because my bro was visiting from CA - and h took part in a special MU tradition: running to the lake.
'77 was great, of course, the '03tournament run, but for me the greatest moments were going to the games. Walking through 24 below weather, being at the Arena, and being so PSYCHED - and no home losses my four years in Milwaukee. Special moment - my girl friend being so PO'd she didn't talk to ANYONE for a day and a half after the tournament loss to Ohio State. HAD to marry that one - seems like yesterday.
I wan't to think of one that nobody put down.
Dec. 2002- Marquette ended the four game losing streak to Wisconsin at the BC. Lead by Wade but known for that trick three point shot by Todd Townsend as the shot clock ran down mid-way through the 2nd half. After the game the players ran in like a single line to the crowd after the big win.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on July 25, 2010, 06:48:13 AM
'77 was great, of course, the '03tournament run, but for me the greatest moments were going to the games. Walking through 24 below weather, being at the Arena, and being so PSYCHED - and no home losses my four years in Milwaukee. Special moment - my girl friend being so PO'd she didn't talk to ANYONE for a day and a half after the tournament loss to Ohio State. HAD to marry that one - seems like yesterday.
+1....a lifetime of great memories, times just going to the games, no matter who I bring or am with or where. College hoops is just a great tradition and pastime, if not hobby. The sudden death nature of each and every game and how that affects your tourney seedings, the single elimination of the tourney always keep it interesting. Four generation of families sitting together, freshman taking over traditions, baby blue coated coaches. It is all good.
Many of my favorites have already been stated so I'll add Novak going off for 41 against UCONN in MU's first ever BE game. Proved we belonged.
-- The game before "that" Kentucky game, I took a first date to the Milwaukee Ale House to watch the game against Pitt after learning that my buddy had a ticket for me to see us play Kentucky if we won, pretty much everyone there knew that if we won, I'd be going to the Elite 8 game, and it made for a great atmosphere and great excitement. Though 7 years on, I can't remember anything about the girl for the life of me ;D
-- The UConn game, I was working at Channel 18 and we were putting on a newscast at the time, every commercial break I'd run in from the studio to the breakroom to watch. When Steve hit that 3 from just inside half-court like it was just your run-of-the-mill 16-footer, I nearly peed myself. Awesome game.
-- About 2 weeks ago, finally being able to afford a pair of season tickets at the BC.
-- Someone mentioned that Pitt upset when they had Aaron Grey, was there and that game was awesome, the only drawback being I bought two seats for my buddy and me, and they were the first seats I ever bought online. Ended up buying them a row apart on accident, so we sat staggered :D
- MU wins last game at UW Field House
- Win over Cincy 01-02 season
- Kentucky Elite Eight game. I was watching in an Atlanta sports bar packed with Kentucky fans. When I walked in with my gold We Are Marquette shirt on I must have gotten about 30 douchey comments from the UK crowd.
"Where's Marquette?"
"Why do they keep talking about this Dwyane Wade guy?"
"You must be really happy that they made it this far."
By halftime, I was pretty well hydrated and I spent the rest of the game celebrating loudly. There were probably 8 UK fans left in the place by the end of the game.
This doesn't really qualify as one of the "best moments," but one of my most memorable MU moments was the UW game in DWade's first year. We lost the game but I remember it as the moment I realized how special DWade would be.
I was at the game in Madison with my future in-laws, who are UW season ticket holders. Wade and MU played poorly in the first half. Wade had 2 or 3 fouls and only a few points in the first half and MU was down a bunch. At halftime I heard countless "Wade is overrated / not that good," comments.
Early in the second half Wade took over the game. There was a stretch for about 5-10 minutes that he absolutely dominated and brought MU back into the game. You could feel the air go out of the Kohl Center as everyone collectively realized that Wade was far and away the best player on the court and the best player to play in the UW / MU rivalry in a long, long time.
MU made it close but ultimately lost. Wade ended up with something like 28 points, almost entirely in the second half. As I left, I took some joy in watching the UW faithful realize that they had just seen something / someone very special, even if they wouldn't openly admit it.
- Novak hitting the jumper from the corner as the clock ran out to beat Notre Dame :) Oooo that was soooo sweet.
- Anytime and everytime we beat ND :)
- And of course any and every win in the NCAA tourney.
In 2001 I was living in a small apartment in New York City.
My wife's family was bravely visiting the city for the first time for Thanksgiving, just a few months after 9/11. There was literally still a smoking hole downtown.
They took our room and after a day of sight-seeing my wife and I were going to sleep on an air matress that was luckily set up just in front of my TV in my darkened living room.
Two things about living way outside Milwaukee:
1) Really hard to find Marquette games on TV ("Do you have satellite with transponder 6...")
2) There'd be vague mutterings about what some kid had been doing in practice
That night, around midnight, I was hoping against hope the game would be on I tuned in just in time to see MU tip off against Indiana.
"Marquette hasn't beaten Indiana since 1932...the legendary Bobby Knight's on the other bench..."
That night was the first time I saw Dwyane Wade. He was all over the floor. He was playing absolutely a different kind of basketball than I'd ever seen in the blue and gold. He dominated on D, in the passing lanes, on the wing. He finished plays with AUTHORITY. He was a revelation.
I watched the game in the dark trying to muffle "holy sh#%'s" into the air mattress so as not to wake the sleeping in-laws. Holy hell was that a different kind of Marquette game.
All the good stuff that followed: the conference championship, the Final Four season, a new-found recognition for my alma mater ("Marquette - isn't that in Michigan?" "Didn't you guys have a basketball program once?". The BIG EAST, The AL.
It all started that dark night when my city was still pretty much ripped apart. I'll never forget it.
I'll throw in one more game memory. I was in high school in Nashville in 1971 and Marquette was to play Tennessee at the Arena. Since I came from a Marquette family (and graduated from MU seven years later), I "knew" what was coming. My Big Orange friends had NO idea just how good we were. Add to that the fact that Tennessee was still all white and played finess ball while we played our own brand of "take no prisoners" ball.
Tennessee showed up at the Arena and the game was beyond my wildest imagination. It was 12-0 before Tennessee got the ball across center court, due to a painful full-court press, and 26-10 at halftime. It could have been double the 26, but that wasn't the game Marquette played at the time. The game ended 56-30, with "Crazy" Ray Mears promising never to come back to Milwaukee again (he never did). More privately, he must have promised himself never to recruit again in all-white neighborhoods. The next morning, I never had so much fun at school in my life.
A year later, Tennessee was a more integrated team and had managed to recruit Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King. They took us to overtime but, we still one.
MU @ Madison
When we put up a c-note on UWM
Novak's clinic against UConn
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 24, 2010, 11:45:52 PM
True, we would never have gone to the Final Four and still be in Mike Deane territory, playing in Conference USA and happy with NIT bids.
...because I agree with you, add the greatest player in MU history.
For short term memory, the Louisville beat down at home and the Villanova win at the Garden were great days to be an MU fan. Those two games and the two Jimmy shots were the highlights of the year for me.
Quote from: Ari Gold on July 25, 2010, 01:50:49 PM
MU @ Madison
When we put up a c-note on UWM
We've actually dropped 100 on UWM twice :)
I will never forget the 2007-08 game when we played at Madison in Crean's last year. We were loaded that year, and playing well. I scored two tickets to sit in the Madison student section from a friend of a friend of a friend, so me and my buddy went. We decked ourselves out in blue and gold face paint and Marquette gear. It is the only time I've ever gone balls to the wall for dressing up for a game - I usually just wear and MU shirt. The game was close the whole time, we were being heckled in the student section and weren't afraid to talk crap back to their fans. It was great. When we won, we high fived every single MU fan we saw on the way out. It was so, so sweet - especially since I grew up in Madison and all of my friends believe that Bo Ryan is god and they should have a statue of him outside the capital.
I know, 77 champions, but in the semi finals; the full court pass to Whitehead who then crashed the basket to win it in the final seconds, to me, is the all-time best moment.
I just skimmed through this thread, but I don't think I saw mention of novaks buzzer beater against nd in 05 or 06. The sheer fact that everyone in the arena knew who was getting the ball, nd playing great D, and then just steve being steve.
I have two. The common one is '03 vs. UK.
The other one is every time I heard "from daKAR, senegaaaaaaaal....." Ous was one of the friendliest people I've ever met, and he always seemed to be loving life. He loved the support he got from the fans, and somebody once showed me his Facebook picture was of the students all making the "O" during intros. Great guy and one of my favorites at MU.
OT win over Mizzu 2003 final 4 run... Novak perfect from 3 in OT
Mine does not come from any game, rather in April of 2008.
One of my friends was able to score two tables worth of free tickets to the end of the year banquet, being a poor hungry student I jumped at the opportunity. At the banquet, Jerel announced he was coming back for his senior season, but what I remember most fondly was that Buzz went to each and every table there and had a genuine conversation with every shock their hands and thanked THEM for coming out to support the kids and MU Basketball.
This was not like a Politian shaking hands and kissing babies, but he was making real connections with everyone there. He asked our table what's one thing we wished we had while waiting in line for games. Booze was the first answer followed by laughter, but we said coffee and donuts. The next season he delivered on multiple occasions either delivering them himself or having the players come out.
At the banquet, I realized how special this guy is for MU basketball
*EDIT: Sorry, every time I start typing "quet" I add the extra "te" at the end out of habit...
Quote from: uncle zeffy on July 26, 2010, 03:21:52 PM
Mine does not come from any game, rather in April of 2008.
One of my friends was able to score two tables worth of free tickets to the end of the year banquette, being a poor hungry student I jumped at the opportunity. At the banquette, Jerel announced he was coming back for his senior season, but what I remember most fondly was that Buzz went to each and every table there and had a genuine conversation with every shock their hands and thanked THEM for coming out to support the kids and MU Basketball.
This was not like a Politian shaking hands and kissing babies, but he was making real connections with everyone there. He asked our table what's one thing we wished we had while waiting in line for games. Booze was the first answer followed by laughter, but we said coffee and donuts. The next season he delivered on multiple occasions either delivering them himself or having the players come out.
At the banquette, I realized how special this guy is for MU basketball
Banquette?
(http://www.customspaces.net/gallery/full_size/600x400_Logos/lb-banquette.jpg)
1) November 21, 2006 - Being on the court in the Eagle costume as Marquette beat Duke in the CBE Championship in Kansas City. During halftime, I went to get a drink from the drinking fountain with the the costume still on and turned around to find Dick Vitale waiting in line to get a drink.
2) January 3, 2006 - Sitting in section 106 with marqptm and robmufan as Marquette defeated #2 UConn in its first Big East Game. The best part was when Novak scored 3 of his 41 points with a shot from the monogram.
3) March 13, 2008 - Marquette defeats Notre Dame in the Big East Tournament. Prior to the game as Marquette was warming up underneath the stands, Lazar asked for the Golden Eagle head and warmed up for a few minutes with the head on. Afterwards as the Eagle and cheerleaders left MSG, "We Are Marquette" chants erupted outside the arena from the many Marquette fans in attendance.
4) January 20, 2006 - Watching the Novak buzzer beater against Notre Dame from the VIF section.
5) March 3, 2007 - Endless hours waiting outside for the college game day show and game. Digger's pissed off face when a F the Irish chant broke out was priceless.
6) March 7, 2009 - Syracuse defeated Marquette which sucked but it was Senior Night for the three amigos and my last game as the eagle at the Bradley Center. After the game as me and my girlfriend walked down the tunnel in the back, Eric Devendorf was passing us on his way to arena control. As he approached my girlfriend pressed the button on her umbrella ready to attack if need be.
All the above plus the 4 games in 4 nights win in Conf USA Tourney 1995 (I believe) with Anthony Pieper.
I'll add one. The 03 game at Louisville. Down 18 in the first half, I believe. Then Wade goes off, then Vitale goes crazy. I pull that one out on the ole VHS and watch it now and then and it still pumps me up.
When Travis Diener came to McCormick (I was working the front desk) to meet up with some frosh girl. He waited for 45 minutes and she stood him up. I lol'd :P
Coach Crean waiting outside of the McCormick cafeteria my freshman year with Oluoma Nnamaka. He was meeting and greeting students and asking us to come out to the basketball games that year (it was about time for the pre-season to start). I told him I might check it out so he handed me 4 tickets for right behind the bench. I immediately loved the guy.
Waiting outside the BC for the home games in January and February the year that we made our Final Four run. Being obscenely drunk and freezing while Coach Crean stood up on the edge of the planters and gave us, the lowly students, a pep talk before the games. He was also nice enough to deliver doughnuts and coffee most mornings :)
Quote from: Skatastrophy on July 27, 2010, 08:36:51 AM
Coach Crean waiting outside of the McCormick cafeteria my freshman year with Oluoma Nnamaka. He was meeting and greeting students and asking us to come out to the basketball games that year (it was about time for the pre-season to start). I told him I might check it out so he handed me 4 tickets for right behind the bench. I immediately loved the guy.
Waiting outside the BC for the home games in January and February the year that we made our Final Four run. Being obscenely drunk and freezing while Coach Crean stood up on the edge of the planters and gave us, the lowly students, a pep talk before the games. He was also nice enough to deliver doughnuts and coffee most mornings :)
Why do you hate Buzz so much?
Sitting in my freshman year english comp class with Cordell Henry having him talk trash to me about Peoria Manual, and how Whitney Young dominated them @ state the year before. (Of course having Quentin Richardson on that team didn't hurt.)
And my favorite moment... Sitting in the Metrodome realizing that the Kentucky comeback run that everyone was expecting, was never going to happen.
Quote from: reinko on July 27, 2010, 09:15:53 AM
Why do you hate Buzz so much?
There were a distinct lack of free t-shirts at games last year...