Marquette played in the Big East semifinals for the first time since realignment came into the fold. Last time they played in this game, Buzz Williams was the coach and Louisville played in the Big East. Marquette had an opportunity to get revenge on Seton Hall for the defeat 10 days ago then get an another opportunity at Villanova. Neither of those things happened because of the Big East officiating crew. It is very easy for a fan to complain about officials. That’s the fail safe when something goes wrong, but last night was something I don’t know if we’ll ever see again. James Breeding, the lead Big East referee last night, became a swear word to Marquette fans, and how he let this game get out of control should lead to punishment. For those who didn’t watch or think I am a homer, let’s watch the play that changed the game.

Theo John(#4) and Sacar Anim(#2) on Marquette were both ejected from the game for this altercation.

Worst case of refereeing in the history of basketball. pic.twitter.com/cfTJXWKr7Y

— Pros and Joes (@ProsAndJoesPod) March 16, 2019

After this play and a nine-minute review where Breeding was the star that he always wants to be out there, Theo John and Sacar Anim are ejected. John gets called for a flagrant two for pushing Myles Powell in the air, even though, Powell was out of control in the first place. Anim gets tossed but Powell stays in the game because the elbow he threw at Anim earlier this game was a flagrant, not a technical. Right because that makes the most sense in the world, Breeding.

I can’t pull the clip, but Anim should have fallen to the ground dramatically. If he did, Powell is thrown out of the game and Hall gets their asses kicked. But that’s not the type of player Sacar is, truly. He doesn’t play that shit, but I do think it’s a coaching lesson moving forward if you’re trying to get in a player’s head which Anim tried to do with Powell. The fact Powell got to play it out and the two Marquette guys didn’t is fucking absurd. As Steve Wojciechowski said, “My guys deserved better.”

Player of the Game: Sam Hauser – He was fantastic in this game. Not sure what happened to him in the final four minute sof the game, but he did play a very good game of basketball last night with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Next up: Marquette will await their fate in the NCAA Tournament. It could be a five or a six depending on how the Selection Committee sees Marquette’s season. If Joe Lunardi is right, Marquette is a six playing either Temple or TCU then a matchup with Purdue in Hartford, Connecticut. If Jerry Palm is right, Marquette takes on Murray State which I would love, honestly as a five seed then a showdown with Kansas. Only drawback of that one is this would be played in San Jose, California.

Charlie.