Not a typical Louisville-Marquette game, or the everyday race-to-the-wire so commonplace in Big East games.

Probably the easiest win U of L will ever get in Madison Square Garden, this 81-56 decision over Marquette in the quarterfinals of the Big East basketball tournament.

What Louisville fans will remember from this one and look forward to in future games is the performance of Mike Marra. Showing why Rick Pitino has so much faith in him, keeping Marra in in previous games when he didn’t seem to be accomplishing much, the coach seeing potential everyday fans couldn’t comprehend.

Marra blocking two shots, passing for two assists, making a steal, getting inside his man’s skin on defense. Hitting six out of 10 shots from behind that arc, collecting 22 points, most of them when they really counted.

Marra taking some of the heat off of Preston Knowles, Kyle Kuric and Peyton Siva, giving Louisville another dependable shooting option against a shocked Marquette defense. Who is this guy and where was he mentioned on the scouting report?

If Marra can turn in a few more atypical games, this Louisville team will keep on getting better at just the right time.

Then there was this Van Treese guy …

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

One thought on “Mike Marra emerges, Louisville rips Marquette”
  1. Let me be the first to apologize to Mike Marra. I’ve been a pretty vocal critic of his throughout the season. It was hard to understand why he kept getting significant minutes when they came at the expense of time for Kuric and Smith. If his performace last night was any indication of what he will do for the next two years, CARDS fans are in for real treat. Also, how refreshing is it to witness the blue collar work ethic and hustle that SVT gives us? Especially when all you see on tv is the hype surrounding the one and dones who only care about draft day. I’m proud to have a guy like that in a Louisville jersey.

    P.S. Congrats Steve on the contest! Way to represent the CARDS!

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