Marquette found rock bottom again. The mid-conference freefall is becoming all too common for Marquette Golden Eagles. Georgetown kicked their ass up and down especially in the second half with a 80-62 victory knocking Marquette squarely off the bubble as they’ll have to fight for their life for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. People tell you college basketball is a long season, and sometimes, it feels like the longest of any of the sport. That’s the kind of feeling right now.

Energy and emotion wasn’t there.
It’s one thing to get beat. It’s another thing to look like you don’t give a fucking shit about playing basketball. Marquette isn’t playing basketball with any emotion. Who knows what the reason is for this problem. It could be the fact that Steve Wojciechowski’s antics have grown thin for the players, and they’re mentally fragile. Or they’re a young team who is wearing out through the rugged Big East, yet we’ve had that conversation for three fucking years. At what point does that stop being an excuse? The other thing to ponder is Marquette getting too worked up because their offense isn’t working.

Wojo finally realizes Wilson’s value
After the game on Saturday, Wojciechowski admitted that Duane Wilson should be a starter. He looked like the only one that actually cared about Marquette’s plight in the second half. He ended up scoring 12 points, the most he scored since Villanova game. Why Wilson didn’t get more run after that game is beyond me. I’ve been told Wilson’s relationship with Wojo isn’t the best, and that could be a contributing factor, yet it seems silly that a relationship would be a reason the team avoids what’s best. We’ll see what the starting lineup looks like next Saturday.

Have teams figured out Marquette’s offense?
This is the scariest thing from Saturday. For the second straight game, Marquette’s offense stalled out. They had their worst three-point shooting performance of the year, and no real offense. Marquette needs to find a half court offense quick, or it’s not going to end well for this team. They are not doing the things on offense that we saw most of the season. Wojciechowski should be looking at overhauling his lineups and seeing if new players work well together. Marquette has a week to get things right which is a very good thing.

How hot should Wojo’s seat be at this moment?
Fair question with all of the things happening in his third year. I would say lukewarm unless this season ends really poorly causing Marquette to miss the NIT. People didn’t think this team had high tournament aspirations but thought it was possible. That goal is still in a reach, but it’s become a lot tougher with the losing skid. Year four could be the difference maker. Look at Chris Collins, a Duke assistant, who looks on his way to his first tournament with Northwestern. It took four years to make an impact, and teams consistently jump the gun. Big men are coming to this team in the form of Theo John, Ike Eke and Jamal Cain.

Players of the Game: Duane Wilson (Marquette), Jessie Govan (Georgetown)

Next up: Marquette has the biggest game of the season in many ways. One, it’s National Marquette Day so all eyes will be on the Golden Eagles here in Milwaukee. Number two, it could be the turning point for the boosters to make a turn on Wojo if Marquette comes out flat. Three, it’s a night game at Bradley Center which should feature a well-lubricated crowd. In comes Xavier who has given Golden Eagles fits in the past few years and looks to do same.

Charlie.