[GOODMAN ON FOX] MARQUETTE PULLS SECOND STRAIGHT SHOCKER

[77ncaachamps]

MARQUETTE PULLS SECOND STRAIGHT SHOCKER
Friday, November 27, 2009, 04:01 PM EST [General]

No one gave Marquette a chance.

Myself included.

When I went down to Milwaukee this past offseason for Buzz Williams' media practice, I got a chance to spend some time with the players and coaches.

I figured cracking the Top 10 of the Big East would be a minor miracle after freshman point guard Junior Cadougan suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Sept.

It's still not a lock, but the Golden Eagles have put themselves in the equation for an NCAA tournament bid with victories against Xavier and Michigan down in Orlando.

``I bet a lot of people are (surprised)," said Marquette senior Lazar Hayward, the one recognizable player left after the departure of guards Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews. ``I'm not."

Hayward was the only returning player who averaged at least six points per game last season. Williams has virtually no choice, but to go with guards Mo Acker and David Cubillan for extended minutes (they played 57 against Michigan).

This Marquette team has taken on the persona of their coach, Williams, and best player. Two guys who came up with little to no fanfare and had to outwork people.

``If we play as hard as we can and are as tough as we can be, we have a chance to win," Hayward said.

Hayward had 22 points and nine boards in the upset over Michigan while Jimmy Butler added 17 points and nine rebounds. Junior college transfers Darius Johnson-Odom and Dwight Buycks combined for 27 points.

``Now I think people will realize that Marquette isn't as bad as everyone thought," Hayward said.

``On paper, both of the teams we just beat may be more talented," he added. ``But with the way we play, we overcome some of that."


ADD:

I hope everyone had a better Turkey Day than UCLA had yesterday.

FOXSPORTS.COM STUD OF THE NIGHT: Marquette's Lazar Hayward, who watched all three of his amigos leave (Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews and Dominic James) after last season and then saw his starting point guard, Junior Cadougan, go down with a season-ending injury in the preseason. Hayward had 27 points in an upset over Xavier down in Orlando.


http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/

[77ncaachamps]

The most recent Goodman Nightly Award:

"STUD OF THE DAY: This is a tough call with no shortage of candidates. I'm going with co-winners: Marquette senior Lazar Hayward, who had 27 points and nine boards in an upset over Michigan; and Portland's T.J. Campbell, who had 23 points and was 4-of-8 from long distance in an upset over Minnesota."

[JakeBarnes]

It's fun to hear this stuff from Goodman after hearing his preseason analysis of the team.  He seems to be a BIG Lazar fan as well.  Good to see big L getting some nice press to add to the resume.  Let's hope for some more.