[Cracked Sidewalks] DJ's shot puts MU in the victor's circle

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

DJ's shot puts MU in the victor's circle

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (muwarrior92)

My update will be limited as I missed most of the game traveling today.  I was able to catch the last 16 minutes of the second half in the freezing cold outside while viewing the broadcast online via a wireless connection (not sure who's connection I borrowed in the neighborhood, but it was open and password free....maybe someone in the bandwidth giving mood for Christmas) with my son...painful...and beautiful all at once.





In a nutshell, this was a below average ACC team from last year who has looked pretty good this year, including a narrow loss to Davidson.  They were 7-1 and it was a home game for the Wolfpack.  The first true road test for Marquette this year in a game they really needed.

After trailing by three at halftime, the game went back and forth for much of the second half until seniors took over...all of them.  In the last eight minutes it was the seniors time to shine.

It started with MU trailing 52-50 with 8:44 remaining when DJ found an open Wes Matthews in the corner for a three pointer.  The senior nailed it putting MU up 53-52.  After NC State tied the game, DJ juked the Wolfpack defender badly for a layup to put MU back up two points.  A few moments later, senior Jerel McNeal was fouled but made both free throw attempts to open up the a four point lead.  After a NC State bucket, the last senior, Dwight Burke, was not to be outdone.  Burke went hard to the basket only to be fouled.  The 40% free throw shooter stepped up to the line and rattled home both shots to push MU back up 59-55 with 5:16 to play.

The next 90 seconds would be the DJ show as he made back to back three point bombs to put the Golden Eagles up 65-59 and forcing a timeout by NC State with 3:26 to play.  The game seemed to be in MU's control except NC State would not quit just yet.  A three pointer out of the timeout cut the lead to three.  Then a missed MU jump shot led to another NC State three....the game was tied at 65-65 with under two minutes to play.

The next minute was not one the seniors should hang their hat on.  After a foul on junior Lazar Hayward, another foul was called on Jerel McNeal giving the Wolfpack two free throws.  State did not take advantage by bricking both.  Soon, the Wolfpack would be given another opportunity after DJ was called for a travel by sliding his pivot foot...again State could not take advantage.

Now with less than a minute to play, MU got the ball to Lazar Hayward on the left wing where he missed a mid range jump shot to take the lead with :48 remaining.  NC State rebounded and tried to go down low.  A great defensive play by Burke and DJ forced a turnover with 25 seconds left.  Buzz took a timeout to setup the final play.

On the inbounds play, DJ was given the ball.  He yo-yo'd the ball back and forth down to 15, down to 10, down to 7 and still nothing.  He made a break toward the right sideline and was cutoff, he then reverse dribbled to the left and launched a three pointer that was golden with 0.4 left.  MU up 68-65.  WOW.  Not exactly the most elegant play but DJ made it work.

NC State had to make a miracle play to go to OT and then almost did.  They threw a pass to the top of the key where they turned and launched a three pointer....GOOD.  Fortunately for MU, the shot left his had about two tenths of a second after the horn had sounded.

The win marks only the fourth in MU history in the state of North Carolina, moving MU's record to 4-25 all time.

Buzz Williams is the ONLY MU coach with a winning record in the state of North Carolina at 1-0.

MU moves to 10-2 on the season.

AP Recap with video

Boxscore

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/12/djs-shot-puts-mu-in-victors-circle.html