At the under-8 timeout, we were down 5. I turned to my fiancee, who has been an ardent Jae Crowder fan since the first moment she saw him play -- I think connected to her playing an undersized post in high school -- and said "This is the first time I've seriously considered that this might be the last time I watch these two guys."
Man, did that one ever hit me. I don't know why. Since enrolling in 2001, I've watched Wade leave, then Diener and Novak, guys I saw at Johnston every day, then the Amigos and Lazar, even Jimmy. So why does it just feel different with these guys? Is it because like me, they transferred in from 2-year colleges? Or is it because they had the chance to give us our first back-to-back Sweet 16s since I was born? I honestly don't know.
Bottom line, I feel privileged to have watched DJO and Jae Crowder for the past few years. Ever since watching DJO light it up at the Old Spice, and since watching Jae dominate West Virginia on New Year's last year, I knew these guys were really, really special. I had no idea how special. DJO has been our most impressive pure scoring threat since Dwyane Wade. Even Jerel wasn't the natural, fluid scorer that DJO is. If he had four years at Marquette, the scoring record would be his. And then Jae...man, I remember thinking when I looked at what he was doing at Howard I thought "this guy could be a poor-man's Lazar Hayward". Less than 2 years later, and there's simply no comparison. Lazar was a great player for us, probably the most effective 6'6" high-major center I've ever seen. He scored, defended, rebounded, and did it all. Or so I thought, until I saw Jae Crowder as a senior. This guy is simply our best all-around player since Wade. Talk about making the most of your chances, in 2 years this guy has put his stamp on the program. We'll all be telling our kids about him for decades to come.
Bottom line, this whole lengthy post is just a reminder that we really need to take every game left in this season and enjoy them to the fullest. Because it could be their last game. I'm not ready for it to end. Honestly, I won't be ready unless it ends with the two of them cutting down the nets in New Orleans. Even then might be too soon. But the truth is any game could be the last one, so enjoy it, enjoy them, and appreciate what these two have done for Marquette in the past few years.
Nice post BrewCity, Love these guys.....true warriors!!!
Yes, they are special. Enjoy.....!!!
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 17, 2012, 10:15:58 PM
At the under-8 timeout, we were down 5. I turned to my fiancee, who has been an ardent Jae Crowder fan since the first moment she saw him play -- I think connected to her playing an undersized post in high school -- and said "This is the first time I've seriously considered that this might be the last time I watch these two guys."
Man, did that one ever hit me. I don't know why. Since enrolling in 2001, I've watched Wade leave, then Diener and Novak, guys I saw at Johnston every day, then the Amigos and Lazar, even Jimmy. So why does it just feel different with these guys? Is it because like me, they transferred in from 2-year colleges? Or is it because they had the chance to give us our first back-to-back Sweet 16s since I was born? I honestly don't know.
Bottom line, I feel privileged to have watched DJO and Jae Crowder for the past few years. Ever since watching DJO light it up at the Old Spice, and since watching Jae dominate West Virginia on New Year's last year, I knew these guys were really, really special. I had no idea how special. DJO has been our most impressive pure scoring threat since Dwyane Wade. Even Jerel wasn't the natural, fluid scorer that DJO is. If he had four years at Marquette, the scoring record would be his. And then Jae...man, I remember thinking when I looked at what he was doing at Howard I thought "this guy could be a poor-man's Lazar Hayward". Less than 2 years later, and there's simply no comparison. Lazar was a great player for us, probably the most effective 6'6" high-major center I've ever seen. He scored, defended, rebounded, and did it all. Or so I thought, until I saw Jae Crowder as a senior. This guy is simply our best all-around player since Wade. Talk about making the most of your chances, in 2 years this guy has put his stamp on the program. We'll all be telling our kids about him for decades to come.
Bottom line, this whole lengthy post is just a reminder that we really need to take every game left in this season and enjoy them to the fullest. Because it could be their last game. I'm not ready for it to end. Honestly, I won't be ready unless it ends with the two of them cutting down the nets in New Orleans. Even then might be too soon. But the truth is any game could be the last one, so enjoy it, enjoy them, and appreciate what these two have done for Marquette in the past few years.
Much respect. Nice post
Great post Brew. It's amazing what a couple of Jucos have meant to us. Can't wait to continue watching them both in the NBA.
Two down, four to go.
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 17, 2012, 10:15:58 PM
At the under-8 timeout, we were down 5. I turned to my fiancee, who has been an ardent Jae Crowder fan since the first moment she saw him play -- I think connected to her playing an undersized post in high school -- and said "This is the first time I've seriously considered that this might be the last time I watch these two guys."
Man, did that one ever hit me. I don't know why. Since enrolling in 2001, I've watched Wade leave, then Diener and Novak, guys I saw at Johnston every day, then the Amigos and Lazar, even Jimmy. So why does it just feel different with these guys? Is it because like me, they transferred in from 2-year colleges? Or is it because they had the chance to give us our first back-to-back Sweet 16s since I was born? I honestly don't know.
Bottom line, I feel privileged to have watched DJO and Jae Crowder for the past few years. Ever since watching DJO light it up at the Old Spice, and since watching Jae dominate West Virginia on New Year's last year, I knew these guys were really, really special. I had no idea how special. DJO has been our most impressive pure scoring threat since Dwyane Wade. Even Jerel wasn't the natural, fluid scorer that DJO is. If he had four years at Marquette, the scoring record would be his. And then Jae...man, I remember thinking when I looked at what he was doing at Howard I thought "this guy could be a poor-man's Lazar Hayward". Less than 2 years later, and there's simply no comparison. Lazar was a great player for us, probably the most effective 6'6" high-major center I've ever seen. He scored, defended, rebounded, and did it all. Or so I thought, until I saw Jae Crowder as a senior. This guy is simply our best all-around player since Wade. Talk about making the most of your chances, in 2 years this guy has put his stamp on the program. We'll all be telling our kids about him for decades to come.
Bottom line, this whole lengthy post is just a reminder that we really need to take every game left in this season and enjoy them to the fullest. Because it could be their last game. I'm not ready for it to end. Honestly, I won't be ready unless it ends with the two of them cutting down the nets in New Orleans. Even then might be too soon. But the truth is any game could be the last one, so enjoy it, enjoy them, and appreciate what these two have done for Marquette in the past few years.
Can I be best man at your wedding? That way if you don't show (or get unavoidably delayed) I can step in for you. I promise to always provide her with the love and respect for MU hoops that she deserves.
Great post.
Just watched the presser after the game and love that Buzz called out the press / fan base about the critical nature of the comments towards Junior Cadougan and Todd Mayo. This is great for two reasons....
1. Every kid out there now knows that if you work hard and are bought in to the program, your coach has your back.
2. Every "fan" out there is welcome to have an opinion, but going to the extremes as we saw on this board after the Louisville game in the BE Tourney was uncalled for. Please be a true fan and be supportive of the team, regardless of the outcome. Thanks for calling them out on it, Buzz!
Enjoy the ride...this team is special!
DJO & Jae are the truest sense of our "Warrior" history. Keep it going!
Quote from: LittleMurs on March 17, 2012, 11:24:31 PMCan I be best man at your wedding? That way if you don't show (or get unavoidably delayed) I can step in for you. I promise to always provide her with the love and respect for MU hoops that she deserves.
Why do I sense you'd be the one doing the unavoidably delaying? I see your angle! ;D
Excellent comments on these two outstanding athletes. They have been a thrill to watch, especially this year with the late season explosion of Jae and I also don't want to see it end. DJO is due to have one of his explosive, holy crap did you see that games, and I hope it is the next one.
I was bashed in a previous thread about the loss of these two and how next year may be a struggle without them. Of course I hope I am wrong about that, but it makes it even more important to enjoy Jae and DJO's final games playing for MU. Based upon their interviews in the video presser, they too realize the finality and are pumped up to the max. The last two years have been a great ride and its been a pleasure to watch them.
Great post. Love Marquette basketball. Love the way we play. Jae and DJO are true warriors. They both dominate and play to win.
Luke and Bo were special in 74, Bo and Butch in 77, DWade and Diener in 03--all lead to the Final Four. And now, Jae and DJO.
Awesome post. These two represent hard work and dedication. I'm proud of them and everything they have done here. It'll be a sad day next Midnight Madness not seeing them lacing up.
So true. It's hard to say that any two leading guys at MU have been easier to root for.