I took a lot out of that game...here's a few stream-of-consciousness thoughts after the game.
- Jae Crowder more than any player I've seen in a long time deserves the title Warrior. Grit, passion, heart, a true leader out there. I can't remember the last time someone walked into the team and just seemed to "get it" from day one.
- It was good to see Jimmy take a leadership role today. When we needed him to step up, he did. It wasn't just that he knocked down two threes, but the timing of them. Huge shots, on par with his winners last season.
- Dare I say it...Dwight Buycks looked like a point guard today. I know he turned it over a bit more than we'd like, but he seemed happy deferring most of the offense. 8 assists. Wow.
- The Syracuse fans were much better than the DePaul fans, but I did hear one of the dumbest things I've ever heard after the goaltend on VB's shot. "What? And they're just going to give him that?" Yes honey...that's how basketball works.
- This was the best BC crowd of the year. What impressed me wasn't the end, it wasn't the overall noise, it was the way the noise held over. Usually, a timeout is called, the crowd simmers down, and normality is restored. Not today. During a number of timeouts, the kids stayed raucous through the timeout, only quieting once our offense had the ball. And the rest of the stadium followed their lead. Everyone there deserves a pat on the back for that.
- Buzz mostly managed the timeouts well, though I thought he should have called one after Syracuse first tied the game. It worked out because we scored, but if they had stopped us and taken the lead, it could have been a whole different finish...
- ...BUT it wasn't a whole different finish. We've lost a lot of close games, you could feel the nerves in the fans today, but the team held it together. Hopefully this is one of those "turning the corner" type moments.
- Syracuse fans are converting! After the game, I saw two guys in SU shirts buying Marquette gear in the Spirit Shop. Gave one of them a bit of good-natured stick, he took it well. Good fans, I liked them.
- WE FINALLY BEAT SYRACUSE!!! Sorry, just had to let that out. God, it felt good.
- We're in good position for the tournament. Even without this, we were okay because of our downhill finish in terms of scheduling. With no bad losses, wins over WVU, ND, and 'Cuse, and a schedule that could produce 6-7 more wins, we should be in considering the soft bubble. Spring an upset or two more along the way coupled with a decent showing in the BEast tournament and we could climb up to a 6 seed again.
- One last thought...How is Jae Crowder not SOTG? Butler was good, but Jae was absolutely the reason we won this game. When Syracuse tied it at 56, Jae scored to put us back in the lead. When Syracuse got back within one, Jae made the steal, got the foul on Jardine, and made both free throws to make it 60-57. When Syracuse got back within one at 62-63, he got Keita fouled out and converted 1-2 from the line to put us back up 2. And when they tied it at 64, it was again Crowder who scored a deuce to put us back in the lead. Jimmy hit two threes late in the clock, both huge, but those were more desperation shots. Meanwhile, as a team, we were pretty much saddled on Crowder's back, riding him to victory.
Brewcity, you nailed it. Some say Buycks is not a point guard, but he had some unbelievable finds today. JC is a warrior, and JFB is a leader.
Don't take this in a Debbie Downer sort of way, but just 4 bench points today. That can't last
The bench was a disappointment scoring-wise, but look at the foul numbers. DJO got his third and took a seat for a bit of the second half, then picked up another late. Other than that, Otule had 3, Buycks 2, and Butler and Crowder just 1 apiece. I think Buzz realized we needed our starters out there and simply stuck with them because they weren't in foul trouble.
As far as those four points, though...none actually went through the cylinder in the run of play. Blue's shot was goaltended by 'Cuse and Gardner's points came on free throws.