Thanks for the memories

[Lennys Tap]

I've been an MU fan for more than 40 years and this team is one of my all time favorites. Today was an perfect example of why I love this team so much. No center, no true power forward, no bench and without their star point guard (DJ played 13 minutes but was a shadow of himself) these guys played 11 deep, top 10, Big 12 tourney champ, 40 minutes of hell Missouri to a standstill. In the last minute and a half, we were a little unlucky and a little careless, but the heart and character of these guys was amazing.

I thought I couldn't be more proud. Then I listened to their press conference. One after another, DJ, Jerel and Wes patiently, politely and articulately answered the mostly inane questions common to post game "pressers". This as their hearts were obviousy broken. What a team, what a great group of young men and what wonderful representatives of Marquette University.

So adios to the 4 amigos (Burke was great today). I'll leave it to others to debate where your wonderful accomplishments rank in terms of MU basketball history. To me and to Marquette fans everywhere you were much more than bball players. Thanks for the memories.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

Well said. 

As painful as today was, at least we saw them ride out into the sunset together.  Considering how lousy we were feeling about this time on February 25th, that was a gift in itself, win or lose. 

[mubball2009]

''burke was great today''

highest of comedy.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

''burke was great today''

highest of comedy.

You know, I've been biting my tongue with some of the pithy crap I've been reading on this board for the last 2 hours, so congratuations, you're now going to bear my wrath.

Burke had 5 points and 12 boards today.  He got beat a few times, missed a few boards, and had a few bad bounces on some of his shots.  Overall, it was one of the better games he's played this year.

Get off his ass.  He's done NOTHING but work his rear end for four years.  It's not his fault he wasn't the most gifted player in terms of hands, technique, whatever.  It's not his fault that his previous coach failed to develop him or give him consistent opportunity.  All he gave us was his best effort night in and night out, and at the end of his career, all you want to do is rip him for playing his heart out?

(Bleep) You.

[Lennys Tap]

''burke was great today''

highest of comedy.

Burke had 10 reounds and made 3 of 4 free throws. That, for him, qualifies as great.

[gjreda]

I've had mubball on ignore for about a week now.  I suggest you guys do the same.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

Best advice I've gotten all day.

Time to go to an "irish wake" for the seniors.   

[NavinRJohnson]

Well done General. mubball2009 is a goof, and way of base.

[mubball2009]

bravo for being almost medicore.clap. clap. he had 3 o boards on one wonderful trip with 3 missed putbacks.

if I'm a failure in the real world do I get a pat on the back because I tried hard in my studies?

burke was given a starting spot in lieu of a lack of a serviceable body. his lack of improvement over 4 years should not be commended. don't give me this ''he works hard'' crap. he is handed the same education that I have to pay 30000k for, he damn well better work hard.

besides, being the obvious weak link on a solid team for two years, please give me one story or any clarification of burkes unquestionable work ethic. this ''works hard'' crap is so cliché and means nothing coming from you. do u go to practice? do u see the time he puts in extra? does he work any bit harder than dj, wes, jerel or even otule for that matter.

[mubball2009]

boo hoo. burke prolly gets over 200k in benefit over 4 years, and what has he given mu in return? 4 boards a game. sorry for being critical.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

bravo for being almost medicore.clap. clap. he had 3 o boards on one wonderful trip with 3 missed putbacks.

Lazar had that too on one possession.  So I guess he's mediocre as well if that's your assessment of what's mediocre. 

if I'm a failure in the real world do I get a pat on the back because I tried hard in my studies?

What would you have done to him?  Pulled his scholarship?  This is college basketball, not General Electric. 

burke was given a starting spot in lieu of a lack of a serviceable body. his lack of improvement over 4 years should not be commended. don't give me this ''he works hard'' crap. he is handed the same education that I have to pay 30000k for, he damn well better work hard.

And you know what else?  The way he was basically pissed on by his previous coach, he could have easily said "screw this, I'm out of here" at any point. But guess what?  He stuck it out, when so many guys have decided to walk away and throw that gift of a Marquette education away. 

besides, being the obvious weak link on a solid team for two years, please give me one story or any clarification of burkes unquestionable work ethic. this ''works hard'' crap is so cliché and means nothing coming from you. do u go to practice? do u see the time he puts in extra? does he work any bit harder than dj, wes, jerel or even otule for that matter.

Do you know what it takes to survive a D-1 basketball practice, especially one at MU?  I know a few people that have been walk-ons in this program, and let me tell you, from what I've heard, football might be an easier sport to play for some of these guys. 

In the end, Burke probably had a talent level more in line for a mid-major program like East Carolina (where he originally committed).  He didn't have to come to Marquette, but took the challenge of playing in the Big East head on.
The fact he stuck this out for 4 years when so many guys have walked away is all I need to know about Dwight Burke's heart and character. 

[Lennys Tap]

I started this thread to share my thoughts about what I consider to be a remarkable class both on and off the court. I hoped that posters might find it theraputic to share their reflections after a difficult loss.

So what happens? Some "fan" hijacks the post to turn it into a Burke bash. Sad. Sad, but all too typical.

[mviale]

Its too bad as these guys put it out on the line today - Dominic James did not need to play today and I felt he gave the team and fans a much needed motivational boost.  I could not go to sleep last night!

[mubball2009]

you're pathetic. these are some of the luckiest kids in the world and you are applauding one of them for not leaving. really? nice job burke, you didn't spit in the face of a 200k gift!

as for lazar, if u would have said he had a good game only because he had 10 rebounds, I would have easily pointed out those misses too. those 3 rebounds were 30 percent of burkes stats and merely a blip of haywards game contribution.

and I'm not calling for his scholarship, all I said was him having a great game was high comedy. I didn't know that was too harsh a crime. u were the one that got their panties bundled up. if someone gives me money to do a job and I don't do it, I sure hell hope they criticize me.

and again, I just want to thank dwight burke, one more time, not not quitting. this school rejects 1 in 6 applicants, is ranked in the top 90, and costs over 200k for expenses, tuition and board. so one more time, lets give it up for dwight burke and the sacrifices he made to contribute what he did.

you may be the dumbest person dead or alive.

[MarquetteBallin]

Burke was wonderful today. The entire team was wonderful today. It was a thrilling finish to a great season and a great four years from Dom, Wes, Rel, and Burke. Why can't we take a close, hard fought loss with some class and keep our heads up like men? Get lost mubball.

[mubball2009]

and I would like to reiterate, all I said was burke having a good game=high comedy. sorry that I hijacked your post. because of this opinion, I will turn in my ''fan'' badge because I obviously don't meet your standards.

I don't use teal. figure it out.

[NavinRJohnson]

you may be the dumbest person dead or alive.

Yeah...no, I think you've demonstrated pretty well that position is already filled.

[mviale]

Tough watching DJ and Burke holding arms at the end - Great game

[mubball2009]

I'm all about paying tribute, which I did tip my hat to wes and jerel for todays effort in another thread, but call it like it is. don't fault me for not wearing rose colored glasses.

[MarquetteBallin]

And what more, exactly, do you wish any of our players could have done? If 100% effort is given, which it obviously was and essentially exceeded, how can you possibly fault these kids? They missed a few layups, yes, they made mistakes. It's basketball. It happens. We competed our guts out today. Im damn proud.

[MUMom2a]

]I would just like to say that I have loved watching this team and the 3 Amigos over the past 4 years. As the mother of 2 sons, I have had plenty of practice looking for the positives after losses. DJ put on his uniform today and knew this might be his last game for MU, as opposed to February 25th. They were down big and almost won.  The 3 Amigos rode off into the sunset together, all in uniform.
On a personal note, several years ago, my sisters and I rode in an elevator with Dominic. He could not have been more polite and conversational with a bunch of older ladies. He was and will be a great representative of MU.
It's over and we have to let it go. Remember all the good times. I sure will!           

[gjreda]

Looking back at it all, I'm happy I got to watch this group regularly play.  Who knows when we are going to have group like this again?

My hope is that the group coming in can develop the chemistry that these three had together.

[mviale]

]I would just like to say that I have loved watching this team and the 3 Amigos over the past 4 years. As the mother of 2 sons, I have had plenty of practice looking for the positives after losses. DJ put on his uniform today and knew this might be his last game for MU, as opposed to February 25th. They were down big and almost won.  The 3 Amigos rode off into the sunset together, all in uniform.
On a personal note, several years ago, my sisters and I rode in an elevator with Dominic. He could not have been more polite and conversational with a bunch of older ladies. He was and will be a great representative of MU.
It's over and we have to let it go. Remember all the good times. I sure will!           

All I can say is thank goodness for women!

[Lennys Tap]

All I can say is thank goodness for women!

On so many different levels.

[77ncaachamps]

You know, I've been biting my tongue with some of the pithy crap I've been reading on this board for the last 2 hours, so congratuations, you're now going to bear my wrath.

Burke had 5 points and 12 boards today.  He got beat a few times, missed a few boards, and had a few bad bounces on some of his shots.  Overall, it was one of the better games he's played this year.

Get off his ass.  He's done NOTHING but work his rear end for four years.  It's not his fault he wasn't the most gifted player in terms of hands, technique, whatever.  It's not his fault that his previous coach failed to develop him or give him consistent opportunity.  All he gave us was his best effort night in and night out, and at the end of his career, all you want to do is rip him for playing his heart out?

(Bleep) You.

Burke was good, not great.

I felt he was a bit better against USU holding his own against the Aggie bigs.