A perfect storm

[PVMagic]

This was the real perfect storm:

On Dec 7th, Chris Otule tore his ACL chasing a loose ball near halfcourt.
On Jan 28th, Devante Gardner sprained his knee.  He would return, but clearly was not the player he had become to that point.

At the beginning of the season, we discussed who we could least afford to lose, and consensus was Otule.  Otule/Gardner wasn't even something we could fathom.  We played valiantly as "Marquette 3.0/4.0", but I don't think what we've been the past couple of months were as good as what we would have developed into had we stayed healthy.

That being said, I couldn't be prouder of this group (which is why this loss hurts even more).  On December 8th, tell me Gardner is going to be severely limited with a knee injury and that we'd finish 2nd in the BEast and make the S16 and I'd laugh in your face.

[MerrittsMustache]

Jamil waited half a beat to snap is head back and take the dive.  I think he got hit, but more likely grazed.

Just re-watched it. He definitely made contact. No idea how they could have missed that. What can you do? At least Jamil wasn't seriously injured.

[muhoops1]

What I have trouble digesting is the fact that we sacrifice possessions to "play fast".  Teams send guys back to prevent easy buckets and we insist on plowing theme over or taking I'll advised shots.  Why don't we pull the ball out and see what we can generate.  Pisses me off.  There is a difference between forcing tempo and playing dumb.  We take shots with a high degree of difficulty too often.  Love the team hate the blemishes! Hate them because they are avoidable!

[CTWarrior]

Still by rule it is a flagrant 1

My point is that his reaction was not in response to being hit, so therefore you couldn't be sure he was.  Since it wasn't called at the time I can see why they wouldn't make a huge game-turning call like that without absolute proof.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

If the rule has any meaning then that was the scenario. We should have at least gotten the flag aren't 1 but it doesn't matter now...

[connie]

My point is that his reaction was not in response to being hit, so therefore you couldn't be sure he was.  Since it wasn't called at the time I can see why they wouldn't make a huge game-turning call like that without absolute proof.

It was pretty clear on the replay, which they watched before not making the call.  Anyway, total frustration watching shot after shot fail to fall.