Who's there?
The Marquette men's basketball team.
Wait, you don't look like the team one bit.
Looks can be deceiving. The Golden Eagles of 2007-'08 possess something lacking in recent years.
First of all, they failed to drop a creampuff game to Savannah State or IPFW.,”Knock, knock.
Who's there?
The Marquette men's basketball team.
Wait, you don't look like the team one bit. Looks can be deceiving. Two months ago, I predicted a season just like the previous three I've seen. We saw the team reach an inflated ranking in the polls, win a couple big games early and peak in February before pulling up lame down the stretch.
Thankfully sports writers can change their minds as often as Dennis Rodman changed hair color. The Golden Eagles of 2007-'08 possess something lacking in recent years.
First of all, they failed to drop a creampuff game to Savannah State or IPFW. Last year, the spoiler was North Dakota State. Two years ago, Marquette fell to Winthrop and Nebraska before November was over.
This season, the squad did not exactly sprint off the starting line as it scraped by with some unimpressive wins. But since the loss against Duke, Marquette has been taking the court as an inspired team.
After the first loss of the 2007-'08 campaign, the Golden Eagles became gluttons. Not satisfied with meager victories, they pound opponents into oblivion. Marquette makes the final 10 minutes of the second half downright boring because only a Lazarus-like comeback could possibly close the margin.
Marquette hung 100 on Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Then the Golden Eagles beat a good Wisconsin team at the Kohl Center. Then things got ridiculous.
Over the next five games, the Golden Eagles' average margin of victory was 34. The tell-tale sign that Crean acknowledges a victory: he empties the bench. The walk-ons actually play this year. The long-awaited chance for the non-scholarship players to reach the floor creates a fun mini-plot every time students pack the Bradley Center.
Though Marquette hiccupped in Morgantown and struggled against Seton Hall, they still ground out a victory in the latter game. As for last Saturday, Notre Dame may have had His mother, but Her son suited up in Marquette Blue and Gold.
I couldn't help but think of analogies after all these blowout wins. Bear with me.
Marquette was to Notre Dame as Reagan was to Mondale. Marquette was to any December opponent as Ace Ventura Jim Carrey was to Cable Guy Jim Carrey. Marquette was to UWM as 1986 Mike Tyson was to 2005 Mike Tyson.
Whatever spark or motivation the Golden Eagles have this season, they are a very different team from past four years. Not only do they win toss-up games (Wisconsin and Notre Dame), they demoralize lesser opponents. Those teams retreated from the court like the Confederates after Pickett's charge.
The guards continue to live up to their billing, but the big men seem to be sick and tired of being overlooked. With that combination, Marquette treats any foe like Vesuvius treated Pompeii.
Unlike the teams in recent memory, the 2007-'08 squad holds the fortitude to get the most out of their talent. In contrast with last year, Marquette deserves their high ranking.
If they carry on their ways, the Golden Eagles will finish either first or second in the Big East. And continue changing one writer's mind.
Knock, knock.
Ah yes, Marquette. San Antonio's been expecting you. Right this way.
“