Passing the Test

[NersEllenson]

Buzz has said many times after these close losss, that each of them presents a test - and until you pass that test, the same lesson will continue to be taught.  Think about this game.  Hayward fouls out. We are down 65-63 with 1 minute left.  Jimmy B hits 2 free throws to tie.  UCONN throws in a dagger of a prayer.  Up 3.  DJO gets fouled with 40 seconds left.  Makes all 3 to tie game.  GET A DEFENSIVE STOP AND REBOUND (with no Hayward on floor).  Call 2 timeouts.  We exectue a play with 12 seconds left, get the shot off, and make it to go up 2.  Then have 1 last defensive stand to win the game.

Could not possibly have more tests, adversity wrapped into the last 3 minutes of a game.  And we passed.  Demons be gone.  Congrats to coach Williams and these kids.  They deserve this win and many more with how hard they work and compete.

[rocky_warrior]

DJO gets fouled with 40 seconds left.  Makes all 3 to tie game. 

Oh, I actually forgot about that.  Not that DJO made them - that was huge. But drawing that foul when he saw his defender jump on the shot fake was an absolutely veteran move by DJO.

[dsfire]

He's been trying to do that quite a bit this year, Sam Cassell style.  Hasn't gotten the call on many of them.

[boyonthedock]

I'm pretty young, but I haven't seen a marquette player with a more effective shot fake.

[NersEllenson]

I'm pretty young, but I haven't seen a marquette player with a more effective shot fake.

Good point - not sure if you remember Sam Young from last year's Pittsburgh team - but that guy had a GREAT shot fake.  DJO's is just about as good..almost as good as you will see anywhere.  It is made great because he is such an excellent shooter - defenders know they HAVE to close out on him, or it's about a 50/50 chance his 3 goes in.

[StillWarriors]

Buzz must have had them practicing free throws this week. Way to go, Buzz!

[jsglow]

Hopefully it will be a nice confidence boost and give them some mo going forward.

[boyonthedock]

Good point - not sure if you remember Sam Young from last year's Pittsburgh team - but that guy had a GREAT shot fake.  DJO's is just about as good..almost as good as you will see anywhere.  It is made great because he is such an excellent shooter - defenders know they HAVE to close out on him, or it's about a 50/50 chance his 3 goes in.

I'm not too young to remember last year. his was pretty good, but he was wearing the wrong uniform for my tastes

[77ncaachamps]

I'm pretty young, but I haven't seen a marquette player with a more effective shot fake.

Last best pump faker at MU in my opinion: Dwyane Wade

[WxWarrior]

Buzz has said many times after these close losss, that each of them presents a test - and until you pass that test, the same lesson will continue to be taught.  Think about this game.  Hayward fouls out. We are down 65-63 with 1 minute left.  Jimmy B hits 2 free throws to tie.  UCONN throws in a dagger of a prayer.  Up 3.  DJO gets fouled with 40 seconds left.  Makes all 3 to tie game.  GET A DEFENSIVE STOP AND REBOUND (with no Hayward on floor).  Call 2 timeouts.  We exectue a play with 12 seconds left, get the shot off, and make it to go up 2.  Then have 1 last defensive stand to win the game.

Could not possibly have more tests, adversity wrapped into the last 3 minutes of a game.  And we passed.  Demons be gone.  Congrats to coach Williams and these kids.  They deserve this win and many more with how hard they work and compete.

Great post.  I couldn't agree more.  Hopefully the feeling sticks because we are entering the "2nd semester" with many more tests ahead.

[NersEllenson]

Great post.  I couldn't agree more.  Hopefully the feeling sticks because we are entering the "2nd semester" with many more tests ahead.

Thanks - and definitely will be more tests ahead..but probability should favor MU to continue to get a few breaks.  I couldn't believe Dyson threw in that 28 foot 3..after the Butler block caromed off of 2 MU players..it was like deja vu all over again when he hit that shot.