Both against Cuse and Nova we had the ball in the closing

[79Warrior]

seconds and managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[NavinRJohnson]

Both games were lost much earlier when MU fell behind by double digits.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Both games were lost much earlier when MU fell behind by double digits.

????  If you take the lead late in the game and control the ball, how is it that the game was lost much earlier?  I get the notion that if you weren't losing in the first place or trailing, the issue wouldn't exist.  However, if you're leading in the final seconds and have the ball, you ultimately control your destiny.  Make a shot, get fouled, etc.

[muPARTY]

this came up in another thread...

Marquette rallies back for the lead, then they play to keep the lead not win the game.  evidence that comes to mind was the position before 'Nova traveled with 40.5sec left.

Marquette spent 39 min hustling, driving, dishing, moving without the ball, swinging the ball around the perimeter.... then they got the lead.  Jerel brought the ball up and just stood there dribbling about 35ft out.  then he fired up an NBA 3pt'er with something like 19 still on the shot clock that clanked.  'Nova were on their heals, losing a 16pt lead over 19min; they were forced to spread their D and cover the arch because of our hot shooting.  an early shot is fine, but keep working for a shot the same way they did to get the lead.  they played to keep the lead and not lose, rather than play to win the game.