The Marquette Golden Eagles built an early double-digit lead and never looked back as they topped Miami 71-61 in the East Regional Semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament Thursday night in Washington D.C. After leading 29-16 at the half, the closest the game ever got was ten, the final margin.
Jamil Wilson had 16-points to lead the Golden Eagles. Vander Blue and Davante Gardener added 14-each while Trent Lockett chipped in with 8-points and 11-boards. After the game, Head Coach Buzz Williams was proud of his team’s effort…
AUDIO: Buzz Williams was proud :16
In the regular season, Marquette was able to capture their first ever Big East Championship. They finished in a tie with Louisville and Georgetown thus earning the 3-seed in the conference tournament based on tie-breakers. However, the Golden Eagles lost to Notre Dame in their only game and some wrote them off. Williams points to that as being a turning point…
AUDIO: Buzz Williams believes the loss in the Big East tournament refocused them :21
Next up for the Golden Eagles is a match-up with Big East rival Syracuse. The Orange upset Indiana Thursday 61-50 preventing a Tom Cream-Marquette contest. The Golden Eagles and Orange played only once in the regular season, a 74-71 Marquette win at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Saturday’s tip from Washington D.C is scheduled for 3:30.