Marquette University’s head basketball coach Buzz Williams was named a court coach for USA Basketball U19 team training. Selections were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team committee.
Coach Williams along with Ed Cooley of Providence College and Tim Ryan from the College of Central Florida (NJCAA) were selected as the three court coaches that will assist at the 2013 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team during the June 14-19 training camp.
Coach Williams had this to say on his selection:
“It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to represent the program while coaching with USA Basketball this summer. I am really looking forward to serving as a court coach, while at the same time working with some of not only the top players in the country, but some of the best coaches as well.”
Marquette junior Vander Blue will forgo his senior year to enter the NBA Draft. He plans to sign with an agent.
Vander Blue ends his three-year career at Marquette with 80 starts in 106 games. He has career averages of 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing. He finished with 982 points and just missed becoming the 45th player in school history with 1,000 career points.
Here are Vander Blue’s thoughts on his career at Marquette:
“I’ve had three great years here and appreciate everything Marquette has done for me during that time to help me develop. At this point I want to pursue my dream. I’ve prayed about it and discussed it with my family and think this is the right decision for me at this time.”
“I really want to thank all of the coaches and staff at Marquette for helping me become a better player and a man,” Blue added. “I also loved and appreciate the support shown by Marquette fans across the country during my career, especially during home games at the Bradley Center.”
Head coach Buzz Williams said this about Vander Blue:
“As a program, we are all very thankful for everything Vander has done to help our team over the last three years, but more importantly I admire the growth he has made off the floor as a person. He has had success in each role that he has played every year he has been here, and has continued to improve. We will always be grateful for his contributions and wish him nothing but the best in his professional career.”
Marquette defeated Davidson,59-58, in the final seconds of the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This is proof that the Golden Eagles do not give up despite being down.
Here are analyst Charles Barkley’s thoughts on the game:
“This game is a perfect example of why I would never coach. Because there is no way in the world Davidson should have lost that game. You take your hat off to (coach) Buzz (Williams) and his guys. But Davidson’s got to feel like – sometimes you have to say to yourself did they win or did we lose it? Davidson lost that game.”
I am still so stunned by this game. Enjoy some video recaps of the game.
Vander Blue NCAA Tournament Post-Game vs. Davidson
The Marquette Golden Eagles defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 67-46 yesterday to stay on top in the Big East conference.
The first half of the game was rather show cased a rather lack luster performance from Marquette as they went into the half with a tie. The Golden Eagles went on a 17-0 run in the first six minutes of the second half. their size advantage over Seton Hall definitely helped.
Here are head coach Buzz Williams’ thoughts on the second half:
“When you’re on the road in late February, you need everyone to muster up the juice. You need the players, the coaches, the trainers, the managers, everyone. We were really good defensively in the second half and we were much more consistent offensively in the second half.”
Vander Blue scored 19 points in the game and Davante Gardener contributed 18 points.
The Marquette Golden Eagles fell to the Georgetown Hoyas 63-55 last night. This loss knocked Marquette out of the top spot in the Big East.
Jamil Wilson scored 13 points in the game and Chris Otule scored 14 points and had 3 blocks.
The turning point of the game was when Golden Eagles head coach Buzz Williams was called for a technical foul in the second half. He was disputing a call that could have gone in favor of either team. Georgetown’s Otto Porter made both free throws then a floater to make the lead 41-34.
Marquette had 12 first half turnovers and no offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes. This was a big factor in the loss to Georgetown.
Marquette beat Georgetown by just one point to win their second Big East game of the season, 49-48.
The first part of the game saw great defense from both teams but also scoring inconsistency. The Golden Eagles misses 11 of its first 13 shots and the Hoyas missed 10 of their first 12 shots.
In the last minutes of the game, Marquette was leading 49-46 when Trent Lockett fouled Georgetown’s Greg Whittington at the three point line. Whittington made his first two free throws then Marquette’s coach Buzz Williams called a time out. Whittington missed the third free throw for Marquette to stay ahead 49-48 and that’s how the game would end.
Marquette will take on Pittsburgh next Saturday at 11 am CST.
Marquette wins their first Big East game of the season against UConn. It was definitely an exciting game especially when Junior Cadougan hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds on the clock to send the game into overtime.
The Golden Eagles were without head coach Buzz Williams who was serving a one game suspension. Assistant coach Brad Autry filled in for the head coach. Coach Williams will return on Sunday for the game against Georgetown.
Davante Gardner scored 18 points and Vander Blue scored 13 points for the Golden Eagles.
Marquette went into half time with a 30-27 lead over the Huskies. The Golden Eagles went on a 12-4 run to go up 52-42 but UConn would not stay away. Junior guard Shabazz Napier went on an 11 point run to tie the game at 57 with just over seven minutes left on the clock. The lead would change several times before Junior Cadougan hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
In over time, Vander Blue made a 3-pointer with just under two minutes to put the Golden Eagles up 74-72 then Jamil Wilson made a layup to put them up 76-72 with 47 seconds left on the clock. The Marquette defense went to work and held off the Huskies for the win.
Marquette takes on Georgetown on Saturday at 1 pm.
It is so fitting that my 100th post is the Marquette win over Wisconsin, 60-50.
Before the game started, there was a moment of silence to honor the late former Marquette coach Rick Majeras. Head coach Buzz Williams paid tribute to Majeras during the game by wearing a black turtle neck like Majeras wore.
Williams shared his thoughts on the late coach Majeras,
“What he’s meant to basketball in general and what he’s meant to the state and the service he gave our institution, that was the least I could do. And because we won, I’m going to wear it again next Saturday (against Savannah State).”
Junior Jamil Wilson had another great game for Marquette as they defeated Maryland-Baltimore County, 79-46. He scored 15 points and has shot 82.4 percent in the last two games.
“[Wilson's] a good player. When his talent and heart are on the same page, he’s really, really good. When he’s relying strictly on his talent, then that’s what he looks like. He just looks like a really good athlete that doesn’t play hard enough to win. But when his heart and his talent are on the same page, he’s really good. Maybe as good as any that we’ve had at that spot as his career unfolds.
“But he’s got to play really hard. When he plays really hard, then he can be like some of his predecessors. When he doesn’t play hard, he’s not any good.”
Davante Gardener had 13 points in the game and Jake Thomas added 12 points. Vander Blue did not play in this game due to a knee injury he sustained in the game against USC in Maui.
The first half of the game was very unimpressive. Both teams were not shooting well and went to the locker room with the Golden Eagles leading 28-24.
With 16:52 remaining, Marquette trailed UMBC 31-30 then they went on a 37-5 run with most points coming from the paint. The Golden Eagles continued to dominate the second half by scoring 10 straight baskets, with the 10th being a 3-pointer from Jake Thomas.
Marquette takes on Florida in the SEC/Big East Challenge on Thursday at 8 pm on ESPN2.
Marquette sophomore Todd Mayo has been ruled academically ineligible for the first semester of the basketball season. He will not be allowed to play or practice during that time period.
Marquette has had its ups and downs with Mayo. He has been suspended from the team twice in his time at Marquette, once over the summer for violating team rules and once last season against West Virginia.
Head coach Buzz William says, “Todd understands success in our program requires a sincere commitment to excellence on and off the floor. I’m extremely disappointed he’s put himself in this position, but he has the full support of our program as he works to improve.”
The Golden Eagle’s season opener is on Friday against Ohio State in the Carrier Classic.
Selections were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team committee.
Vander Blue ends his three-year career at Marquette with 80 starts in 106 games. He has career averages of 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per outing. He finished with 982 points and just missed becoming the 45th player in school history with 1,000 career points.
Eagles do not give up despite being down.
Marquette beat Georgetown by just one point to win their second Big East game of the season, 49-48.
It is so fitting that my 100th post is the Marquette win over Wisconsin, 60-50.
Junior Jamil Wilson had another great game for Marquette as they defeated Maryland-Baltimore County, 79-46. He scored 15 points and has shot 82.4 percent in the last two games.
Marquette sophomore Todd Mayo has been ruled academically ineligible for the first semester of the basketball season. He will not be allowed to play or practice during that time period.
