The Pride Of A Warrior

(Props to MU Athletics for this great video) 

I could not be more excited for Friday night when the Marquette Golden Eagles take on the North Carolina Tar Heels for a chance to head to the Elite Eight. Granted, my 10 year old self would probably need a therapy session before the game. I loved the Tar Heels back in day before I knew Vince Carter was pansy, I loved him in the Carolina Blue as well as Ed Cota, Joesph Forte, and Antwan Jamison. I am now full MU and still cheer for the Heels when they play Duke. I needed to write something about Marquette, and it ended up being a reflection on the year in general.


Usually when we get towards the end of the season, I like to review things I wrote about the team. Whether it's the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, or the Marquette Golden Eagles, I always find with MU, I am harsher on them. They are the middle child of my sports relationships. I don't understand why, but it has ended up being that way for the last two years.

 In December, I called Marquette things like 'soft' and a team 'who will stay in the cellar of the Big East.' I talked to my dad countless times about my frustrations with Marquette.  We both started to get the feeling that maybe JUCO guys were not cutting it with things like defense and trying to gel as a unit. Both of us felt like Marquette's defense would never get to the levels of an elite team in the Big East. I began wondering about Buzz Williams too, and what kind coach/recruiter he was. Everyone did not turn out the way I expected in November.

To be fair, I also had higher expectations than one should probably had (by the way, I have already said they are top 10 team next year). But could you blame me? With the talent they had even at a young age, I felt this could be a good year. In addition, everyone told me how much of down year this could be for the Big East. I would not thought in million years, this conference would net 11 bids to the NCAA Tournament. Like people should have done with Ted Thompson in February, I need to apologize to Buzz Williams and the Marquette Warriors.

It became an up and down season with the Warriors that caused me much frustration like blowing leads to Georgetown, in South Bend, and the 200th and 201st time of not getting a shot off  in Vandy/Wisconsin games. It also gave me some great moments like making it rain on Notre Dame, beating Kemba, and taking down the Orange... twice. Even though Marquette saw some struggles throughout the year, this became more of an enjoyable team than recent memory. The reason, the fans watched them grow up before our eyes.  Marquette is not making the same mistakes they did in December, and are tougher than nails.  Also players like Chris Otule and Junior Cadougan progressed in ways that I did not think possible earlier this season. I feel a great sense of pride when watching this team.

You know how people say 'you only remember the good things when they are gone.' I am glad it did not happen with Buzz Williams for me.  I always enjoyed Buzz but never realized how lucky I am to have him coach the team I cheer for until this recent run in March. All of the quotes I see from him, and the articles I read like this great one from Drew Olson of ESPN Milwaukee, makes me thankful to have a guy like Buzz coaching my team. But if he decides Oklahoma is a better job, well it's been a fun run Buzz. I am glad I took time to appreciate Buzz as a coach before it was too late.

Anything could happen on Friday and I will remain happy. Sure, I will be disappointed if North Carolina run the Warriors out of the gym.  But I will still feel elated that Marquette got there. I want more, but understand that we as Marquette fans are playing with house money. It's funny I say that because I uttered the same words when talking about the Green Bay Packers this postseason, we all know what happened with that team.

-Charlie.