Finishing with a flourish

[tower912]

1.  MU had less action going to the basket than any game I can remember this year.  And Nova doesn't block shots. 
2.  A whole lot of possessions without paint touches.
3. MU's defense forced a lot of turnovers.  Probably saved the game
4.  OMax, OMG.   Missed you tonight.
5.  Was amused by Shaka speak for 'play harder.' (under 8 timeout)  Hey, it worked.
6.  I was also amused by Stevie talking to the Nova bench.  Stevie?   A couple of stellar defensive plays during the late run.
7.  Rumors of Kam's demise were greatly exaggerated.
8. TKo wants the ball.
9.  Just a weird, no flow grind.
10.  But an ugly win is far better than a loss.

[wadesworld]

Good teams win games when they don't have their A game. That's what we did. And their fouling let us cover.

Oso struggles more with strong, quick, shorter defenders. He's a straight line drive guy that relies on being able to get a step on his defender and explode to the basket.

Joplin takes some dumb shots, but he's been playing much better lately.

[mugrad_89]

Our defense the last five minutes of the game was flat out outstanding.

[Skatastrophy]

It's nice to sweep Nova

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I wish Kolek was around during the Myles Powell years.

Powell may have been suspended for the season if he had to deal with Kolek for 40 minutes.

[MuggsyB]

We won playing nowhere near our A level which is quite encouraging. I thought we would pull away earlier but credit to our guys for staying focused despite some rough patches. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Just like Marquette to wait to start the February fade until NMD.

[Mu8891]

A grinder of a game.  But great D in the last 5 mins...

Looking forward to a big blow out win v
Butler on Sat.

Go Warriors!

[Jockey]

One of those rare times that I disagree with you, Tower.

I thought this was a great basketball game. Outstanding defense on both ends. Easy shots weee hard to come by for both teams.

Kolek is the undisputed MAN on this team. I will double down on my AA prediction.

[Uncle Rico]

Didn't win this one by less than 5, so I'll reserve judgement on whether they can win close games without their "A" game

[IrwinFletcher]

14-1 run from 6 minute mark iced the game.  Defense won it for us tonight.

[tower912]

One of those rare times that I disagree with you, Tower.

Aw, man.  I thought we were bff's. 

I think we'll be ok

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

16-3 over the final 6:18.  And two of those Nova points were after the outcome was in hand.  The defense stepped up in crunch time.

Very gutsy win.

[Dish]

Big boy win, got it done and took care of business.

Nova's near the top of my list of BE teams I don't want to see MU face in the quarterfinals next month.

[MarquetteDano]

6.  I was also amused by Stevie talking to the Nova bench.  Stevie?   A couple of stellar defensive plays during the late run.

I think it was specifically to Whitmore.  Appears Tyler and Stevie are not Whitmore fans.

[5DollarPitcher]

Villanova was desperate. We got their best, most focused effort of the year. This game was their opportunity and now it's gone. The team, despite just being out of synch most of the first half, stood up and slammed the door shut late in the second half.

Every game can't be a masterpiece. Winning like that (which is necessary to be great) is a skill this team is learning.

[Herman Cain]

Was a well earned win against an opponent with talented players .

[Daniel]

Thought we missed plenty of open shots and took some terrible driving shots.   And despite all that...... MU wins! That is impressive..... Goo Marquette!

[PGsHeroes32]

Nova is a tough match up for us because even if they are not nearly as good as past year. They are gonna force us into a slog of a game.

And TBH good to have a few of those. Get ready for March when our opponent could have any style.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

16-3 over the final 6:18.  And two of those Nova points were after the outcome was in hand.  The defense stepped up in crunch time.

Very gutsy win.

Marquette once again refusing to win a close game.

[nyg]

Kolek has been playing outstanding lately and I hope he stays for two more years.

When Joplin took that terrible shot inside with MU up three and then got a defensive stop, I have never seen a player (Kolek) bark at a teammate like he did, all the while dribbling up the court in a three point game and a minute to go. Kolek then made a critical basket after the berating of Joplin.  Leadership skills and I am sure Joplin learned a lesson. 

[muwarrior69]

Big boy win, got it done and took care of business.

Nova's near the top of my list of BE teams I don't want to see MU face in the quarterfinals next month.

I was thinking the same thing and the Garden is not a friendly place for us.

[mu_hilltopper]

During the game, I was thinking about how .. every season, every team .. seems to lose a game they're supposed to win.   For 34 minutes, it sure seemed like tonight was the night.

So .. Butler?  @Gtown?  DePaul? @Butler? STJ? 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

During the game, I was thinking about how .. every season, every team .. seems to lose a game they're supposed to win.   For 34 minutes, it sure seemed like tonight was the night.

So .. Butler?  @Gtown?  DePaul? @Butler? @STJ?

Already happened to Wisconsin.

[MarquetteDano]

During the game, I was thinking about how .. every season, every team .. seems to lose a game they're supposed to win.   For 34 minutes, it sure seemed like tonight was the night.

So .. Butler?  @Gtown?  DePaul? @Butler? @STJ?

@ Butler is my pick.  Hopefully we roll them at home on Sat.