Todd Mayo Returning to Marquette Basketball Team

According to two reputable sources, CBSSports College Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman and JSOnline Marquette beat writer Michael Hunt, Buzz Williams and the NCAA have reinstated Todd Mayo.

A future conference school? by Joe Streator

When I first heard Butler mentioned as a potential member of our future conference, I wondered why.  Seemed to me their good basketball tradition was relatively recent and while it may be sound like a choice I was not certain if they represent a good long term fit.

What To Call The New League?

By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel 12-13-12 5:47PM

Marquette leaving the Big East to form a new basketball-centric league is a done deal.

The announcement could come as early as Friday.

Marquette, 6 Others Make Plans To Split From Big East

By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel 12-13-12

At some point between Thursday and early next week, Marquette and six other Catholic basketball-centric schools will separate from the Big East, according to multiple sources.

Marquette Ponders Future As Big East Evolves

by Michael Hunt of the Journal-Sentinel  12-12-12

As the Big East continues to fragment into unrecognizable and far-flung pieces, membership in what has become a lower-tier conference may no longer have appeal for basketball schools such as Marquette.

But whether Marquette could make a go of it in a basketball-only league is the question no one can answer at the moment.

Big East Catholic Schools Wake Up?

By Dana O'Neil, ESPN.com   December 11, 2012

Finally, the Big East -- the true essence of the league, not the ramshackle Ellis Island it has currently become -- is doing something.

After years of having their fate decided for them, the seven Catholic basketball-playing schools gathered with commissioner Mike Aresco in New York on Sunday to discuss their options, according to published reports confirmed and detailed by ESPN's Andy Katz and Brett McMurphy.

Mayo Coming Back? Not So Fast

by Michael Hunt of the Journal-Sentinel 12-12-12

Sophomore guard Todd Mayo, who was declared academically ineligible before the season began, posted Wednesday on his Facebook account that he is on his way back to rejoining the team:

"Did great on my finals, one more to go which is an easy one for me. so it's looking like the 17th of the month I will be back yezzir, Might get an early Christmas Gift. Thanks everyone for their support."

Big East Fate Vexes Catholic Schools

By Andy Katz and Brett McMurphy, ESPN.com  December 11, 2012

The seven Big East Catholic, non-FBS schools met with Big East commissioner Mike Aresco on Sunday to express their concerns for the direction of the conference, multiple Big East sources confirmed to ESPN.com on Monday.

Sources said the New York meeting was the first among the seven schools (Marquette, DePaul, St. John's, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and Villanova) and ultimately could lead to them splitting from the Big East's football members.

Big East Split Fits Marquette's Thoughts

by Michael Hunt of the Journal-Sentinel 12-11-12

News that the seven Big East schools that do not play FBS are thinking about splitting from the Big East coincides with what Marquette has been thinking all along.

With so many big-name defections from the Big East, the Golden Eagles have been seeing their future in a basketball-only league.

Cadougan Wants to Get His First Victory Over Badgers

By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel 12-7-12

Marquette point guard Junior Cadougan didn't play last season at Wisconsin, where the Golden Eagles beat the Badgers in their nearly impenetrable fortress.

Bracket Contest Update 3-31-12

One game left-2 possible champs.

Season Ending Thoughts from Joe Streator

Below is an article from the Associated Press about an impressive performance by Jae Crowder in a recent All-Star game and some season ending thoughts from Joe Streator.
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Crowder Puts on a Show in All-Star Game by Associated Press

Jae Crowder found a way to balance fun with his competitive side.

Latest Rumors about Buzz Leaving from Al Kelly

They share a name and a school but do they share philosophies and values?

Buzz comes off as a people person and a believer in hard work and high moral values. He is just the kind of person you would want to help mold your sons during those critical years of their young lives.

He's also a tremendous coach who has successfully led the MU basketball program for the last four years. As fans we could not ask for a better man or a better coach for our beloved Alma Mater. He has brought Marquette respect both on and off the court.

TV Schedule, Bracket Contest Updates

Marquette in the "West Region" of the NCAA Tournament by Al Kelly

Thursday had a couple of upsets as usual but Friday was as crazy a day as I can remember. Two #15's beat #2's. Even one upset like these two hadn't happened in more than ten years and it had only happened four times previously. In other upsets we had a #13 and a #12 moving on to play each other. And in the South region there were as many upsets as victories by the favorites. Underdogs #10, #11, #12, and #15 moved to the next round along with favorites #1, #3, #4, and #8.

Jae Crowder Difference For Marquette from ESPN.com

Marquette is going to the Sweet 16, which is like saying the sweat-soaked dress shirts of MU coach Buzz Williams are going to the dry cleaner. It's almost a given.

On Saturday evening at the KFC Yum! Center, Marquette defeated Murray State 62-53 in a game that was part MMA, part football and all big-boy basketball. Unless you lost a body part on a play, the refs swallowed their whistles.

"We're thankful," Williams said. "I thought the physicality game was as much as we have seen in a long time."

MARQUETTE 62, MURRAY 53 By Dick Weiss in the New York Daily News

At first glance, the late Al McGuire and current Marquette coach Buzz Williams don’t appear to have much in common.

McGuire grew up in Far Rockaway, where he worked in the neighborhood bar his father used to own. Williams was the child of divorced parents in the obscure northeast Texas town of Van Alstyne.

MU's Crowder Aims to Swish Biggest Goal of All by Tom Enlund of JSOnline

Like many college basketball players, Marquette senior Jae Crowder set down some goals for himself at the start of the season.

First Week Info for the NCAA Tournament from Al Kelly

Here's some basic information for the first week of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Marquette is scheduled to play the winner of the 1st round game between BYU and Iona at 1:45PM CDT in Louisville, KY on Thursday March 15, 2012 on CBS.

GO WARRIORS from Brian Fitzgerald

Here's a couple of messages from our own Brian Fitzgerald. He lives and works in Boston now and met up with Fast Willie at the Big East Tournament.
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Big East Tournament Thoughts by Joe Streator

UCONN whupped DePaul last night. Calhoun has won 34 Big East Tournament games behind Boeheim at 46 and one ahead of John Thompson. If Buzz stays around he could top all of them. The only question is whether continued double byes will stretch out the time it takes him to do that.

Marquette's Crowder Named Big East Player of the Year by Tom Enlund of JSOnline

Crowder, Johnson-Odom Named All-BIG EAST First Team

March 4, 2012 Release Courtesy of BIG EAST Conference

Crowder Lone Unanimous Selection

Forward Jae Crowder and guard Darius Johnson-Odom of Marquette were two of six players named to the All-BIG EAST First Team, the league announced. The conference’s head coaches choose the all-conference teams. The coaches are not permitted to vote for their own players. The league announced the All-BIG EAST First, Second and Third Teams in addition to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team.

Jae Crowder Is the MVP of Marquette's Amazing Season by Al Kelly

Marquette's amazing season continues to surprise me and probably most of its fans. Nationally MU is up to #7 in the Coaches Poll, #8 in the AP Poll, and#8 in CBSSports RPI rankings.  These are the kind of rankings we took for granted in Al McGuire's days as our coach in the '70's.

Picked to finish in the middle of the conference Marquette now needs one win to clinch 2nd place alone. Even two losses this week (@Cincinnati, Georgetown here) and we'll finish in a tie for 2nd place with any combination of teams from Georgetown, Notre Dame, and South Florida. I don't know what the tiebreakers are so a 4-way tie could result in a #5 seed for any one of these teams.

Novak and Lin Flourishing in Tandem By Mark Viera

Published in The New York Times February 21, 2012

Before coming to the Knicks, Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak played one game together last February as teammates on the Reno Bighorns of the N.B.A.’s Development League. That night, before 2,461 fans, they provided a glimpse of what was to come 12 months later.

For Novak, his time with the Reno Bighorns is a footnote on his resume.

No Easy Week for Marquette By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

2 Tough Road Games, Then Georgetown.

It's time for the Marquette Golden Eagles to roll up their sleeves and punch the time clock, because one heck of a stretch run lies ahead in the Big East Conference.

Fresh off Wednesday night's victory over Rutgers and with little time to prepare, the No. 10 Golden Eagles (23-5, 12-3 Big East) will be at West Virginia (17-11, 7-8) on Friday night to play in one of the tougher venues in the league against Kevin Jones, the front-runner for Big East player of the year.

The Perfectionist by Howie Magner in Milwaukee Magazine Monday 2/20/2012

Buzz Williams came from nowhere and is doing everything possible to make sure he never returns. But the Marquette basketball coach’s obsessive style has somehow left some time for love.

Buzz Williams was struggling. The Marquette University head men’s basketball coach had gained some 30 pounds, and he was swollen and bloated, heavier than he’d ever been, adding more stress to an already stressed life.

Time to Take Marquette Seriously as a Final Four Contender by Rob Dauster

Last Saturday, UConn lost at Syracuse by 18 points, but it wasn’t an 18 point loss. The Huskies were able to stay within striking distance for most of the game, getting as close as one possession multiple times in the second half, before a big Syracuse run closed out the contest.

MU's Wilson Making Most of His Minutes By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Marquette University forward Jamil Wilson admitted to feeling just a wee bit weary the day after the Golden Eagles' victory at DePaul on Feb. 6.

And for good reason. It had been a long night for Wilson who had played almost the entire game.

"The day after you definitely feel it," recalled the 6-foot-7 sophomore from Racine. "That's the first time I played anywhere close to that much and I definitely felt it the day after.

Hey Scoops......... by Joe Streator

That was for you yesterday.

Once in awhile during the past few seasons Hugh McMahon forwarded a game commentary excellently written by Scoops.   About a year ago Hugh realized I knew Scoops and forwarded a great commentary which follows.

It's Mellow for 3 By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Sophomore forward Jamail (Mellow) Jones has not been called on often this season but when his name has been called, he’s delivered.

Jones, who at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds is serving as Marquette’s backup center these days, played 15 minutes in Saturday’s victory over Cincinnati and scored consecutive three-point baskets during an important Golden Eagles’ run late in the first half.

It looks like it'll be Team 3 again Saturday By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

"I just think he's a really fat guy that can score the ball." Buzz Williams on Davante Gardner at the Mid-Season Blue and Gold Banquet.

Nostradamus Is Alive and Well in Wisconsin by Al Kelly

Nostradamus has become a Marquette Warrior fan and he has decided to give you a glimpse at the remaining Big East games. Take a look below to find out where your favorite Big East team will finish the 2011-12 season.

Marquette Recruiting Class for 2013: Deonte Burton

Burton's Ready to Fly for the Golden Eagles

Brewster Academy's 6-5 wingman says Marquette was the perfect fit

Deonte Burton is a strong and skilled swingman in the 2013 class and a couple of weeks ago, he decided he'll be taking his talents to Marquette University.

Marquette Recruiting Class for 2012: An Analysis

Five-Star's Big Board: Marquette

Buzz Williams Bringing in Big Names from Around the Country
by Adam Zagoria December 8, 2011 12:50pm ET

Current Roster and Program Needs:
Immediate Needs – 2012

Marquette Recruiting Class for 2012: Aaron Durley

Emerging Center Aaron Durley Picks Marquette

With three talents in the fray in their 2012 recruiting class, Marquette’s coaching staff took a commitment with perhaps an eye for the future, in 6′-10″ Aaron Durley of Bush (TX). Durley is a raw post presence, with great size at 270 pounds. He’ll only improve, though, as Durley will compete every day in practice this year against 6′-10″ Texas commit Cameron Ridley, his high school teammate, prior to hitting campus.

Marquette Recruiting Class for 2012: Steve Taylor

Marquette Adds To 2012 With Steve Taylor
August 7, 2011

Multiple sources are reporting that Marquette has landed its third pledge of the 2013 recruiting cycle, 6′-7″ combo forward Steve Taylor of Simeon (IL). With athletic wings Jamal Ferguson and TJ Taylor already in the fray, the Golden Eagles have three dandy versatile prospects committed. All three committed players are capable of playing multiple positions in the Big East.

Marquette's Recruiting Class for 2012: TJ Taylor

T.J. Taylor Could be Next at Marquette

Golden Eagles are getting a stud in 6'3" JUCO transfer

NEW YORK -- Buzz Williams has helped build a national powerhouse at Marquette in part by recruiting junior college players who slip under the radar.

Current stars Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder are both junior college products excelling for the No. 11 Golden Eagles (8-0).

Marquette's Recruiting Class for 2012: Jamal Ferguson

A Recruiting Update from Joe Streator and Ray Gajan

And now for the future.  We all dream when someone signs who has a younger brother that we get the younger brother later on.  We just missed with Scooter and Rodney McCray but maybe we score with the Fergusons?  Jamal, our first signee for next year, scored 30 last night while grabbing 10 rebounds.  His younger brother, Jaleel, scored 20 along with 11 rebounds.

Former Marquette Star Ellis Created a Style All His Own By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Bo Ellis was a man of many talents for the Marquette University men's basketball team in the 1970s.

Ellis could score and rebound with the best of them. He could pass, he was the captain of coach Al McGuire's 1977 national championship team and he designed uniforms.

Designed uniforms?

Yup.

Gardner's Return Remains Uncertain By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

"When will Davante Gardner return from injury?"

That seems to be the most frequently asked question where the Golden Eagles are concerned these days and it's one that has no definite answer.

There seems to be an air of cautious optimism that the sophomore forward will be able to play Saturday against Cincinnati at the Bradley Center. But if he can't play in that one, there will be an entire week to get Gardner ready to play in the next game, at Connecticut. He continues to be evaluated on a game-to-game basis.

Former Marquette Star Butler Enjoys Role with Bulls By Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel

Jimmy Butler was back in his element Saturday morning,

Taking part in a shoot-around with the Chicago Bulls at the Al McGuire Center, he couldn't help but shake his head and marvel at how much things have changed for him as a result of the countless hours he spent honing his game in the very same practice gym just a few years earlier.


"It's crazy," Butler said, a big grin crossing his face. "I love this gym. This gym is where everything started for me. I put so much work in here, and I have to put in more work this morning with the Chicago Bulls.

Upset or Not by Joe Streator

Maybe it was an upset but it really did not upset me.  (The real disappointment to me was with a win we would have moved up to at least eleven in the polls and with wins this week against DePaul and Cincy a top ten spot next week.)

I don't see anything really alarming in yesterday's defeat at all.

Slow Starts Will Hurt More in the Postseason by Brian Fitzgerald

Marquette can not afford to keep going down by 18 in the first half as they play down the stretch. That seems to be the magic number before they rally back before halftime.

Not Sure What to Say about This Game by Joe Streator

The night was disappointing even before the game started with Gardner being out.  We all know the bubble has to burst but we just don't want it to end with another injury...and we don't want it to end with a close loss after being down early by 18 and we don't want it to end........

Vander Blue to the Rescue from Al Kelly

Any story you read this week about the MU-Seton Hall basketball game will give credit to Marquette's sophomore guard, Vander Blue, as the key to Marquette's win.

(Click here for a link to the Sports Illustrated recap sent to me by Ray Gajan.)

With Davante Gardner out someone had to step up.

Jae Crowder played his usual solid all around game filling up the stat sheet with a double double, 20 points and 12 rebounds, plus his usual gritty defense (2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers, and only 1 foul in 38 minutes) under the basket. He definitely out played Seton Hall's much more heralded Herb Pope who started quickly but faded out in the second half.

Marquette Still Thriving in Lesser Big East by Michael Hunt of JSOnline

Here's an article about the new climate in the Big East and how Marquette fits in it. I think you'll enjoy it.
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By Michael Hunt | In My Opinion from the Journal-Sentinel
Jan. 31, 2012

The Big East, which might as well get it over with and call itself the Big Country at some point in the future, has had better seasons.

DJO Is Big East Player of the Week By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Below are two articles from  the Journal-Sentinel about Marquette senior guard Darius Johnson-Odom. The senior leadership of Jae Crowder and DJO has been outstanding this year. If anyone picked an All Big East team today both seniors would deserve to be on that team.

Last week the Journal-Sentinel ran an article on Crowder and this week it is DJO's turn to be honored. When Chris Otule went down for the season these two seniors kept their focus and were the leaders in making the adjustments to keep this team playing well.

How Quickly Things Change by Joe Streator

How big is Tuesday's game?  Three weeks ago it looked like a tough game but since then The Hall has lost four straight.  While taking nothing for granted, we should put another win in the win column.

Golden Eagles Rally Past Wildcats from Ray Gajan

CBSSports.com wire reports
Jan. 28, 2012

PHILADELPHIA -- Maalik Wayns could not believe the call. The Villanova guard was convinced a ball knocked off a Marquette player and went out of bounds, giving the arrow to the Wildcats.

Nope, Marquette ball. Wayns yelled a profanity and was whistled for a technical foul.

So Close to First Place by Joe Streator

What a game!

Down 18 at the 10  minute mark of the first half; then three minutes later down by 10 and we played even ball for the rest of the first half.  The feeling was improving with five quick second half points but we gave those back almost as quickly to be back down 10 with fifteen minutes left and then, unbelievably tied two minutes later.

Tough Four Game Stretch over the Next Ten Days by Al Kelly

Saturday's game at Villanova starts a stretch of four games in ten days for Buzz's boys that includes three on the road. They have been playing very well lately but any road game in the Big East is dangerous to say the least.

Victory No. 100 for Buzz By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Of course, Marquette coach Buzz Williams knew that Tuesday’s victory over South Florida was the 100th of his head coaching career.

It would have been a major upset if that one had slid by Williams who has such an uncanny penchant for numbers.

"Not to sound like a weirdo, but I beat all of y'all when it come to numbers," he told reporters after the game.

Eleven Years Ago........... (continued)

Back in fall '67, I was a freshman, and the bb team began practice at 4 in the Old Gym. Prior to 4, the gym was open to everybody else, and a lot of the players were there early, playing and shooting along with everyone else. I had already begun the art of skipping class

Eleven Years Ago Today..... from Joe Streator

Eleven Years Ago Today.....

Crowder Leads Marquette On, Off Court from Al Kelly

Here's a good article on Jae Crowder from local JSOnline writer Tom Enlund.

Crowder Leads Marquette On, Off Court Jae Crowder is the only player to rank among the top 15 in seven Big East statistical categories. By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Anyone Going to the Big East Tournament? from Willie Hinsdale

Our own Bill Hinsdale is taking his son to the Big East Tournament this year. He's looking for brothers who will also be attending the tourney. This year the tournament runs Tuesday March 6th thru Saturday March 10th.

If Marquette continues to play well and win they have a shot at being in the top 4 and getting a two day bye. The bye didn't make any difference to a hot UCONN team and Kimba Walker last year. Maybe its our turn this year.

Willie's email address is:  wmhinsdale@aol.com

GO WARRIORS!!

A Coming Out Party for Jamil Wilson from Brian Fitzgerald

It was definitely a coming out party for Jamil Wilson, he took and hit some of the most critical shots in the game to keep the momentum going. Gardner played sparingly from the bench but his 7 points were big. I think Wilson has finally found his confidence and his role on this team. He was the player of this game.

Fully Engaged Brain Is Crucial in Game of Life from Joe Streator

This article concerns a Marquette professor and basketball fan who has a more scientific view of the skill of free throw shooting than a typical casual fan.
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Fully Engaged Brain Is Crucial in Game of Life
Neuroscientist focuses on teaching, research
By Bill Glauber of the Journal Sentinel

Basketball free throws are simple, right? Form matters. So does ritual.

But to William E. Cullinan, Marquette University neuroscientist and basketball fan, there is something else at play, hidden, internal. It's called a motor program, in which signals are transmitted from a player's brain through pathways of the central nervous system.

Three Brothers Leading Maury from Ray Gajan

This is an article about Jamal Ferguson, an MU recruit, and his 2 brothers who all happen to play on the Maury High School basketball team.
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Three Brothers Leading Maury
By Larry Rubama of The Virginian-Pilot © January 20, 2012

NORFOLK,VA

Jack Baker has seen just about everything in his 36 years of coaching.

But this season, the Maury basketball coach has a first.

Pleasantly Surprised from Joe Streator

No, not by whupping (sarcasm) a great (much more sarcasm) Providence team but here we are tied for third in the Big East with no 'bad conference losses' as the talking heads like to say.  To be honest when the year started I thought if Otule continued his improvement we would be no worse then where we are right now in conference but I thought we had a chance to be 18-2 overall rather than 16-4.

How can we beat Louisville like this when..... by Joe Streator

....DJO shoots 7-24, Junior Cadougan 1-8 and Jamil Wilson 1-9?  You do it with a guy named Gardner, some very tough defense... once they got that 2-18 stretch out of their system and very nice free throw shooting 16-18.  Gets you wondering how good we would be if Otule was playing doesn't it?  Maybe a little better but not much.

MU Rallies in Second Half to Beat Pitt 62-57

Marquette's game Saturday against Pitt was once again a tale of two different halves. The first half went to Pittsburgh and their preseason Big East player of the year, Ashton Gibbs. Gibbs led the Panthers to a five point lead at the half with his combination of 3 point shooting and drives to the basket. He looked determined to end Pitt's losing streak by himself.

Marquette's Defensive Tackle Gets a Game Ball by Al Kelly

On Wednesday night against another young but talented team this one from St John's, MU once again played a game with two very different halves. Even though Buzz's Boys got an 83-64 win it was definitely not an easy victory. St John's showed glimpses of how tough they will be when they mature as a team.

First Week of 2012 Has Mixed Results in a Wild Big East Start

During the first seven days of the New Year Marquette started its Big East schedule by facing three conference opponents. New Year's Day brought Villanova to the Bradley Center for a noon game. MU began the week on a positive note by handing the young Wildcats an 81-77 defeat.

Otule Is Out for the Season By Tom Enlund of the Journal Sentinel

Injured Marquette Center Chris Otule Is Done for the Season

Coach Buzz Williams said after Saturday's game against Syracuse that Otule, who suffered a knee injury against Washington on Dec. 6, would have surgery on Tuesday and would not play again this season. "We're disappointed for Chris as a player that his fourth season at Marquette has ended the way that it has," said Williams. "But its the right thing to do relative to the rest of his career at Marquette and for the rest of his life."