The last 15 minutes.....crazy good and crazy bad

[ChicosBailBonds]

The last 5 of regulation and the two OTs...thinking back how crazy good some of that basketball was mixed in with the crazy bad.  Both sides hitting tough shots, diving for balls, working like crazy for rebounds (DG), great passing, clutch, clutch moments.  It was just good good to watch.  A 75 foot shot 1/2 second too late to win the game.

Then on the flip side we have each team fouling on a 3 pointer with under 25 seconds to play.  Bad fouls by both clubs.  A travel with no one around within 5 feet.  Missed free throws, held ball, slipping on the floor, etc. 

It had it all.  If I were a non-fan of this game I would call this one of the wildest games I had seen in quite some time. 

[WellsstreetWanderer]

One positive...... My wife got tired of waiting for me and did the dinner dishes and walked the dog without me.

[rocky_warrior]

As a fan, it was still a wild game, which I generally enjoyed because I expected Marquette to lose in regulation.  Making it to OT, and 2OT only game me false hope that Marquette could win.  But still, as a general NCAA hoops fan, one of those games you're glad you didn't miss.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

As a fan, it was still a wild game, which I generally enjoyed because I expected Marquette to lose in regulation.  Making it to OT, and 2OT only game me false hope that Marquette could win.  But still, as a general NCAA hoops fan, one of those games you're glad you didn't miss.

+infinity

I enjoyed the game and was proud of our boys. I understand frustration but not the actual comments being made

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Everytime we got up by one point, then made a nice defensive stand to get the ball back and I just kept thinking that we just need to make a score here to stay up and instead we make a boneheaded play - a travel, a foul away from the ball, a rushed shot.  Entertaining yet so frustrating.

[CTWarrior]

Everytime we got up by one point, then made a nice defensive stand to get the ball back and I just kept thinking that we just need to make a score here to stay up and instead we make a boneheaded play - a travel, a foul away from the ball, a rushed shot.  Entertaining yet so frustrating.

This times a million.  I was going to go to ESPN this morning and check our possessions when we had the lead because it seemed like on every one of those few occasions when we had the ball with a chance to extend the lead that we didn't even get a shot up.  For some reason, the play by play log for our game isn't there.

[TJ]

I thought it was one of the better MU games this season.  Highly enjoyable.  Sure, there were frustrating times and losing always sucks, but it was better than the other losses for sure.

[RubyWiscy]

Yeah, despite the outcome (which easily could have gone our way) this was a fun game to watch. Both clubs had many opportunities to win and made or missed plays that could have easily lost it.

Looking at the big picture, the Big East is alive and well.  The number of upsets, overtime games and aggressive play bodes well for the future.  I'm excited to see MU and Georgetown return to form in the next few years as well as Providence, Hall, St. Johns & Butler improving. Now if DePaul can just get their act together.

[TJ]

Yeah, despite the outcome (which easily could have gone our way) this was a fun game to watch. Both clubs had many opportunities to win and made or missed plays that could have easily lost it.

Looking at the big picture, the Big East is alive and well.  The number of upsets, overtime games and aggressive play bodes well for the future.  I'm excited to see MU and Georgetown return to form in the next few years as well as Providence, Hall, St. Johns & Butler improving. Now if DePaul can just get their act together.

I'm more worried about Butler than DePaul.  Hope I'm wrong, but they were a Horizon league team two years ago and I'm not so sure they'll be able to sustain success at this level, especially without Stevens.

[MarsupialMadness]

It was very exciting the way they were going back and forth with shots at the end.  And for it to be their senior night and the fact that both teams had their season's on the line... great excitement.  Todd Mayo nailing some shots, Jake nailed some big shots, Davante's last seocnd heave.... oh man.  I haven't jumped out of my seat like that in a long time.

[GOO]

It was an entertaining game (I listened to it, but didn't watch it).  Really too bad at the end, and I feel for D.Will, as this has to hurt his confidence even more.

But, the last few games have changed my view on Mayo.  He may become the consistent scorer that we need next year and I bet he sees that he can be the stud of the team and this has to increase his odds of coming back next year.
Add in Burton, who frankly is the most explosive player I've seen at MU in 11 years (and you know who I am referencing with that one).  He may not be that good, but he is just a freak who does things I haven't seen from an MU player in 11 years.  We've had some really good ones in Wesley and Crowder, etc, etc... but not with the freak ability on both ends that Burton has...

Next year should be interesting.  We will have a lot of holes again next year, but assuming Duane can play and Dawson makes some improvement the perimeter offense should be much improved.  

I think Dawson, Mayo and Burton has improved A LOT since November and are ready to play and really look forward to watching them next year.

As mentioned, the rule change really hurt us this year.  We've always had slashers on the perimeter, and this year we don't.  
This year, the players just don't mesh well... our big men are not fast down the floor, yet our offense depends to much on our bigs.

This game could have been over many times.  Great job by the guys of hanging tough,,,, kept on fighting... didn't give up.  I like this and hope this carries over to next year.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Man I wish I could enjoy a game like you guys. Maybe its because im still a student but if Marquette loses I am just so saddened for the next few days. I really did not enjoy that game. I dont usually get angry, just very upset and sad.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Man I wish I could enjoy a game like you guys. Maybe its because im still a student but if Marquette loses I am just so saddened for the next few days. I really did not enjoy that game. I dont usually get angry, just very upset and sad.

I was the same way as a student.   In fact I was the same way up until 2 years ago when someone told me that "If you dont enjoy the wins as much as you stew about the losses than why watch sports?"  Something about that changed my fandom, I still am Upset at the loss but if Marquette would have won, I would wave been just as geeked as I am upset.   
The good thing you got is that you are a student and you dont deal with UW-Oshkosh people who are badger fans the entire day. 

[towncryer]

I hate watching my teams lose as much as the next guy, but when they lose in a hard fought game it makes it a little easier to digest. 

[MarsupialMadness]

Man I wish I could enjoy a game like you guys. Maybe its because im still a student but if Marquette loses I am just so saddened for the next few days. I really did not enjoy that game. I dont usually get angry, just very upset and sad.

It was a good game either way you look at it.  Because we lost upsets me, but in real time it was very exciting.  I actually remember thinking to myself as we went into the first overtime period... that man, if we lose this game, after coming back the way we did when it means so much to us to win and after Todd made those shots and Davante made the full court shot that didn't count... I knew that if we lost it would be a DEVASTATING loss.  Not just for the team but for the entire fanbase.  If we would have just lost by 12 points like it looked like were gonna with ten minutes left to go, I don't think we would have taken it so hard.  Think we would have just accepted it by now and looked on to the BET.  But this loss will linger.  I suspect many won't even watch the SJU game.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

It was a good game either way you look at it.  Because we lost upsets me, but in real time it was very exciting.  I actually remember thinking to myself as we went into the first overtime period... that man, if we lose this game, after coming back the way we did when it means so much to us to win and after Todd made those shots and Davante made the full court shot that didn't count... I knew that if we lost it would be a DEVASTATING loss.  Not just for the team but for the entire fanbase.  If we would have just lost by 12 points like it looked like were gonna with ten minutes left to go, I don't think we would have taken it so hard.  Think we would have just accepted it by now and looked on to the BET.  But this loss will linger.  I suspect many won't even watch the SJU game.

I agree with most of that. If its a blowout like the Nova game its much easier to take. I was more like "whatever" and didnt watch the second half.  I just dont enjoy games like this when we lose. It takes wayyy to many months off my life.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

In the moment, I am screaming and throwing things like a madman. It's about swallowing that anger and looking at the game objectively and realizing that we gave them a helluva fight. I'd rather go down like that than in a no effort blowout like the Nova game.

And the immediately postgame loss angry sex doesn't hurt either

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

In the moment, I am screaming and throwing things like a madman. It's about swallowing that anger and looking at the game objectively and realizing that we gave them a helluva fight. I'd rather go down like that than in a no effort blowout like the Nova game.

And the immediately postgame loss angry sex doesn't hurt either

Rub it in why dont you...

[ChicosBailBonds]

Man I wish I could enjoy a game like you guys. Maybe its because im still a student but if Marquette loses I am just so saddened for the next few days. I really did not enjoy that game. I dont usually get angry, just very upset and sad.

With age, that will change.  I used to be the same way...if any of my teams lost. I still get steamed if teams have the game sown up and blow it, but I didn't think that was the case last night.  As crazy as that ending was, up by 1 point is not having it sown up. 

[GOO]

Agreed.  Age and experience lend a lot of perspective on what is important in life. College basketball has a place in our lives, but it is not our life.  We are not on the team.  If you really get too into it and upset, it isn't helping you live your life and you need to take a step back from it.  Remember that these kids want it more than you and that they are trying as hard as possible.  That is all that we can really ask of them. What happens from there is just life.

I for one think success in life for the players is as important as winning.  Yes, MU is big time ball, but it is still college ball and we have to keep perspective.  This is not a business, it's young kids who are learning and are under a lot of pressure and time constraints. 

Through experience and age you learn what is important and that it is about the present/future and what is next.  These games should complement our life's, we are not the coaches and not on the team.  Learn to enjoy them and the players as human beings, not machines for your enjoyment .. they are not here to win to fulfill something missing in your/our life's. 

Perspective is the key.  And, for some angry posters on here, it seems to be about them... that this team has to fulfill what is missing in them and their lives.  As if they have big egos and they can't fill them with what they do, and they look to MU ball to fulfill what is missing in them.  Really too bad.  A little Buddhist Philosophy could go a long way for some. 

[Windyplayer]

With age, that will change.  I used to be the same way...if any of my teams lost. I still get steamed if teams have the game sown up and blow it, but I didn't think that was the case last night.  As crazy as that ending was, up by 1 point is not having it sown up. 

+1. Actually up 3 with under 10 seconds to play in the 2OT, but who's counting.

[GooooMarquette]

It was an incredible game to watch.  Lots of clutch plays, and also plenty of heart-wrenching moments...for both teams.  And I am still immensely proud of every player in a MU uniform - the ones who made good plays and bad.

Regarding the age thing - when I was a student (and for several years thereafter), I would be miserable for days, sometimes weeks, after a difficult loss.  Today, I love MU hoops as much as I ever have - I drive 9+ hours roundtrip for home games, regularly go to the tournament, and am jacked sky-high after big wins.  But age helps put things in perspective after losses.  I was very sad to see the team lose last night, but was proud of the fight, and realize that today is just another day.

I also give a big +10,000 to GOO's comment about Buddhist philosophy.  I have had some personal struggles over the past couple of years, and have started to practice meditation daily and read more about Buddhist philosophy.  I'm not about to leave my job, shave my head and walk around in a robe...but some of the Buddhist teachings can do wonders for an angry, sad or troubled mind.

[CTWarrior]

Regarding the age thing - when I was a student (and for several years thereafter), I would be miserable for days, sometimes weeks, after a difficult loss.  Today, I love MU hoops as much as I ever have

Funny, but I'm pretty sure I care more now, 30+ years after graduation, than I did then.  Then, there were tests to get ready for and projects to complete, girls to chase (not too well), basketball to play and parties to go to.  Now, work is done at work (when not on MUScoop), but not to worry about at night, the girl has been caught, Jeopardy is about as competitive as I get (well, I coach 6th grade girls, so I guess that is competitive) and the parties are either "get togethers" where I am subjected to many pictures of friends descendants and such or events where I am bringing a present for a kid.  Basketball has moved up the chain in terms of importance.