Another University of Louisville-Marquette basketball game, another nail-biter for sure.
Third game in three days for Marquette at Madison Square Garden but that hasn’t seemed to bother anyone since the Big East Tournament adopted the double-bye format last season. Seems to hurt more than it helps. Just ask Pittsburgh which lost to a slumping UConn team earlier today.
Louisville fans wanted West Virginia again. So did the players. But the Mountaineers are out of the picture, depriving U of L of the revenge factor. A big adjustment to make in a city where the hesitant and the unsure are quickly shunted aside.
Marquette remembers, oh how Marquette remembers, the embarrassment of losing by one point after owning an 18-point lead over UofL with just seven minutes to go in Louisville. Started a tailspin from which Buzz Williams and his charges are finally beginning to recover. Believing in themselves again, building momentum, eyeing redemption.
Sometimes takes time to adjust to the big stage in the world’s biggest, most intimidating city. Madison Square Garden has its own set of challenges. But this Louisville team has faced bigger ones. Rick Pitino will have his players ready, especially after last Saturday’s embarrassing loss at Morgantown. Should be plenty of motivation to go around.