The Basketball Tournament - Marquette Alumni Team

[MUwarrior1090]

I'm stealing this from a poster on Scoop to get more eyes on it.

​Looks like Fitz is putting a MU alumni team together for the 2016 edition of The Basketball Tournament.

https://twitter.com/danieljohnfitz/status/717844429046984704

And my understanding is that we need to get them enough votes to qualify:https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni

For the uninformed, The Basketball Tournament is a $2 million grand prize open entry event. Groups of other schools' alums have entered in the past and done pretty well, including teams from Syracuse, ND, and I think Wisconsin. F-ck those guys. To give you a level of understanding on the quality of competition, last year's champs were essentially the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League.

So, go vote and tell your non-scooper MU hoops friends!

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

I voted, would be interesting to see who would play in this.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Marquette still well shy of being eligible for this. The top 12 vote getters in each region get an automatic bid, currently Marquette is at 143 and needs to reach 224 to pass 12th placed Ohio United.

[MUwarrior1090]

Everybody should register and vote. It takes 2 minutes.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

They are going to have to do a better job of advertising this if they want to get included...

[MUwarrior1090]

Bump. We're getting closer. Still need alot of votes though. Feel free to use the link below, which would help me become the "top fan" for the group.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni?type=fan&f=57059d90ab29e100072670

If you need any incentive, if you vote and Marquette ends up winning the tournament, the top 80 fans of the team receive money (minimum of $1K each and up to $20K)

Dan Fitzgerald is doing his best on Facebook to increase votes, but every vote helps.

[MUwarrior1090]

Jerel is playing.

[IWB]

I talked to Fitz about it, said there are a lot of guys interested, they just need to get schedules worked out etc.

[TrevorCandelino]

Why doesn't MU push this out to their list?

[MUwarrior1090]

Bump.....we're down to 12th and only 2 votes up on 13th. We only have 288 total votes. I know our community is far larger than that.

Please vote! https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni?type=fan&f=57059d90ab29e100072670

[MUwarrior1090]

Dwight Burke was added to the roster. We are up to 8th in the midwest, so making some good progress.

Please vote if you haven't yet! https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni?type=fan

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Disappointed to see Davante Gardner playing for another team. That Marquette team could really use some more inside scoring.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/seven-city-grain

[MulliganMusings]

Disappointed to see Davante Gardner playing for another team. That Marquette team could really use some more inside scoring.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/seven-city-grain

At first glance it looks like some if not most of the guys are from Davante's home turf back in Virginia.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Disappointed to see Davante Gardner playing for another team. That Marquette team could really use some more inside scoring.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/seven-city-grain

Who knows, maybe they asked him first and he committed? Hard to back out...

[MUwarrior1090]

Bump. We're down to 11th place in the Midwest. Need all the votes we can get.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni?type=fan

[MUwarrior1090]

Jamil Wilson joined the team.

[MUwarrior1090]

DJO also on the roster.

Vote please!! https://www.thetournament.com/teams/golden-eagles-alumni-marquette-alumni?type=fan

[IWB]

Heard from Fitz today, they need people to vote or they won't get in!!!

[CaribouJim]

Heard from Fitz today, they need people to vote or they won't get in!!!

Fitz sporting the hipster 'do!

[IrwinFletcher]

Can you vote multiple times?

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Can you vote multiple times?

I believe only with multiple email accounts.

[MUwarrior1090]

Disappointed to see Davante Gardner playing for another team. That Marquette team could really use some more inside scoring.

https://www.thetournament.com/teams/seven-city-grain


Gardner is now playing on the Marquette team. Must have left the other team.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Nice, that should make them eligible too with enough players.

[MUFLA]

Jamil should lobby Vander to join. Looks like a good lineup

[Cooby Snacks]

Jamil should lobby Vander to join. Looks like a good lineup

I think this tournament coincides with the NBA summer league, and figure Vander will have some interest there.

[Markedman]

MU will have them all on campus this week....
https://twitter.com/MarquetteMBB/status/747469018722775040

[IWB]

Updated Roster... from MU, though I think Novak & Matthews are only allowed to be coaches.



Marquette TBT Roster

Jerel McNeal
Wes Matthews
Steve Novak
Maurice Acker
Dwight Burke
Jamil Wilson
Davante Gardner
Darius Johnson Odom
Joe Chapman
Matt Carlino
Derrick Wilson

[Nukem2]

Updated Roster... from MU, though I think Novak & Matthews are only allowed to be coaches.



Marquette TBT Roster

Jerel McNeal
Wes Matthews
Steve Novak
Maurice Acker
Dwight Burke
Jamil Wilson
Davante Gardner
Darius Johnson Odom
Joe Chapman
Matt Carlino
Derrick WilsonDon't think Steve would be able to play anyway.

[AbovetheRim]

No Buycks? He'd kill it in a tourney like this.

[MUwarrior1090]

No Buycks? He'd kill it in a tourney like this.

If I remember correctly, he got a decent sized contract overseas. Might not want to risk injury.

edit: Or this, getting another look in the NBA?

Alex Kennedy: Blazers are having multiple FA mini-camps and saying they may sign multiple guys. Russ Smith, Erick Green, Dwight Buycks were at first camp (http://hoopshype.com/social/).
2 weeks ago (http://hoopshype.com/rumor/1059328/) – via Twitter AlexKennedyNBA (http://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA)

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I think both Blue and Buycks would be passing based on following NBA dreams.

[TheSultan]

Interesting that Marquette is tweeting out videos of the players being worked out by the coaching staff. I guess I never thought that these guys would actually be on campus to work out together much less by the current staff. That's really pretty cool.

[IWB]

Wojo actually started that last year, as he did a "Pro Training Camp". Most of the guys that are playing pro, NBA or Euro, attended last year. Put them through a tough training camp.

[TedBaxter]

With the BBQ going on this week, quite a few basketball alums around. Marcus Jackson, who lives in the area with his family, tweeted that he got together with some of the guys last night, including Todd Townsend.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

This is a really fantastic idea by the MU coaching staff, gets the guys back on campus, and not only the players playing in the tournament, but their buddies too, really gets a buzz going for the fans too and will likely make people more willing to go to the BBQ.

[TheSultan]

Wojo actually started that last year, as he did a "Pro Training Camp". Most of the guys that are playing pro, NBA or Euro, attended last year. Put them through a tough training camp.


Thanks Jim. Pretty cool idea.

[mufan2003]

This is a really fantastic idea by the MU coaching staff, gets the guys back on campus, and not only the players playing in the tournament, but their buddies too, really gets a buzz going for the fans too and will likely make people more willing to go to the BBQ.

Agree. This is a great idea.

[MUwarrior1090]

Shows what I (we?) know. Buycks joins the roster. Roster is set.

https://twitter.com/GoldenEaglesTBT/status/748308330049839105

[DCwarrior]

According to Matt V's blog, they also added Marcus Jackson and Derrick Wilson to the roster. That's a pretty deep roster now.

[Djgoldnboy]

Well at least the DW haters will get a few more games to spew their wrath, haha.

[AbovetheRim]

Well at least the DW haters will get a few more games to spew their wrath, haha.

Crazy that he passed up the chance to play football.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Crazy that he passed up the chance to play football.

He was a running back, right? I'm sure he would have only picked up the easy yards.

[Nukem2]

He was a running back, right? I'm sure he would have only picked up the easy yards.
Believe he was a QB in prep school

[IWB]

QB & DB - had offers as a DB

[ge1974]

First game against Hoopville:

http://marquettewire.org/3951283/sports/golden-eagles-alumni-will-play-hoopville-warriors-in-tbt/

[Djgoldnboy]

Game appears to be at 9:15 at night.

http://bracket.thetournament.com/#/

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Marquette is playing tomorrow night against a team that has reached the Super 16 two years running. Here's the link to watch the game at 9:15.

http://bit.ly/29OCdj2

[Markedman]

MU down 5 at the half. Getting killed on the boards without ox and Jamil.

DJO playing really bad.....Chapman can still make 3s.

[Markedman]

Bunch of current players made the trip down apparently.

Burke and Larcus Jackson are the only guys with any size at all. McNeal was playing the 5 at times.....it isn't working....lol

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Too many quick step back fade away jumpers from Buycks and DJO

[Markedman]

Buycks playing like its a pick up game

[MU/Panther]

Survive!

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Fun game, Marquette came back from a 15-point second half deficit to win it on three Dwight Buycks free throws with under a second left. Buycks with 27 to lead the team, Joe Chapman was our best post defender and drilled 6 long range shots. Need Jamil to get in there for some size. Sparty is up next.

[Markedman]

They showed a lot of heart. Playing with no size and down 2 guys.

Great atmosphere...sounded like a Depaul MU game in Chicago.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Chapman may not have had as many points as Buycks, but he sure was our most efficient offensive player... Loved the grit and toughness though, reminded me of what our current team is missing.

[mufan2003]

Jamil had a game with the Lakers on Friday night in Vegas. That was their last game, so I would think he could make it for tomorrow. They could use Jamil's length, rebounding and defense in the post.

I caught the last few minutes of the first half and the 2nd half. Exciting game and great pro-MU crowd.

[MUfan12]

Derrick gave them some big minutes in the second half when Chapman and Jerel were in foul trouble.

[Djgoldnboy]

Fischer, Cheatham, Sacar, D Wilson and Carter were in the stands and cheering the "We are Marquette" chant during the comeback, I'll get the YouTube link tomorrow. Was a fun atmosphere and pretty loud for both teams.

[TallTitan34]

Cam was there as well.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Another thing last night showed was the importance of playing as a team. Hoopville was made up of guys that never played D1 ball. One guy who was drafted into the NBA out of D2. Also, their dominant big man, Rico Hill, was 39 years old. But they played as a team and were smart basketball players. Marquette was able to out-talent them in the end, using quickness to force turnovers and get to the rim, but on paper you'd have expected it to be a landslide in our favor, with three NBA players on the floor, all D1 players, and European pros.

Hope Jamil is able to play today, as Sparty has a size advantage. Neither Raymar Morgan nor Derrick Nix played yesterday for them, so their two main bigs may not be around today either. Both of those two play in Europe currently.

[MUwarrior1090]

Another thing last night showed was the importance of playing as a team. Hoopville was made up of guys that never played D1 ball. One guy who was drafted into the NBA out of D2. Also, their dominant big man, Rico Hill, was 39 years old. But they played as a team and were smart basketball players. Marquette was able to out-talent them in the end, using quickness to force turnovers and get to the rim, but on paper you'd have expected it to be a landslide in our favor, with three NBA players on the floor, all D1 players, and European pros.

Hope Jamil is able to play today, as Sparty has a size advantage. Neither Raymar Morgan nor Derrick Nix played yesterday for them, so their two main bigs may not be around today either. Both of those two play in Europe currently.

I completely agree. Illinois Hoopville clearly has been playing together for awhile and they made the Super 16 of TBT each of the past two years.

One small correction. Rico Hill was the best player on Illinois State for 2 years when they won back to back MVC championships and won an NCAA Tournament game in 97 and 98. He was drafted 31st but never played in the NBA. But he's 39 playing with guys mostly 10+ years younger than him, so it's a bit of a moot point.

I was really impressed with him last night so I looked up his career. Pretty impressive player.


http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/rico-hill-1.html

[Djgoldnboy]

Here are the boys cheering during the comeback. Hoopville had a loud contingency for one section of the gym but when MU made the MU crowd was louder. Players to the left in the vid around Fischer. https://youtu.be/O1GPZiCb9dI

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

I completely agree. Illinois Hoopville clearly has been playing together for awhile and they made the Super 16 of TBT each of the past two years.

One small correction. Rico Hill was the best player on Illinois State for 2 years when they won back to back MVC championships and won an NCAA Tournament game in 97 and 98. He was drafted 31st but never played in the NBA. But he's 39 playing with guys mostly 10+ years younger than him, so it's a bit of a moot point.

I was really impressed with him last night so I looked up his career. Pretty impressive player.


http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/rico-hill-1.html

Nice catch. I read a summary of them that said they had no D1 players and that Hill was drafted out of D2. Clearly that was incorrect. Really fun player to watch. May not have had the best statline, but I felt he was the best player on the floor. Not the most athletic, but in terms of knowing how to use his body and just how to make the smart plays, he was really good.

[mcwman]

Buycks still doesn't know how to use the clock to his advantage

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Marquette up 51-27 on Spartan Heroes at the half. Were down 3-2 when I went on a run at work, came back to a 14 point lead and they stretched it to 24 before the half. Marquette now nearly doubling up Sparty, 60-31. Under 16 to play, but pretty sure this one is over.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Solid win for them today, will add Gardner next weekend which should help depth... We are incredibly reliant on 3 shooting, so that is a bit scary, but guard play is a huge advantage for us with all the depth we have there. This team has a very reasonable shot to win it all if they play as a team.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

The next opponent has a lot of IU guys. Cody Zeller, Will Sheehey, Christian Watford, as well as recent Butler grad Roosevelt Jones. Will be another tough matchup, these guys knocked off Hoopville Warriors last year and made it to the last 8 of TBT.

[MU/Panther]

Just got watching the replay. Great beating up Sparty! Joe Chapman with 11 straight points in that 1st half was big. Buycks was outstanding!

[AbovetheRim]

How is Cody Zeller playing? He's NBA, no?

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

How is Cody Zeller playing? He's NBA, no?

That's my mistake, looked at just a roster list rather than the full page. He's listed as a booster, so similar to Steve Novak. Won't be playing.

[MU/Panther]

Do we know the date & time when MU next plays?

[MUAlphaBangura]

Do we know the date & time when MU next plays?

Don't know that it is set in stone yet. Thought I read that it will be either this coming Thursday or Friday in Philly.

[MU/Panther]

Don't know that it is set in stone yet. Thought I read that it will be either this coming Thursday or Friday in Philly. Well, let's hope it's a night game because that would mean they are on ESPN2.

[MUwarrior1090]

Well, let's hope it's a night game because that would mean they are on ESPN2.

First night game on Friday

http://bracket.thetournament.com/#/

[mufan2003]

Great picture of the guys after Sunday's win:

http://thetournament.com/news/midwest-regional-sunday-recap

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

very happy to see that they play on ESPN from now on, the play by play guy on Whistle Sports was rough... I was getting so annoyed when he kept referring to DJO as MU's most recent NBA draft pick... completely ignoring the fact that Henry was drafted JUST last month.

[bleedbluegold03]

Good news! ESPN 2

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBT2016?src=hash">#TBT2016</a> Super 16 starts at 2PM today!<br><br>Full schedule: <a href="https://t.co/Lfczo97rK5">pic.twitter.com/Lfczo97rK5</a></p>&mdash; TBT (@thetournament) <a href="https://twitter.com/thetournament/status/756122445384392705">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[mufan2003]

Thank God Fran Fraschilla is calling the MU game and not Dan Dakich.

[Djgoldnboy]

Excited to see what Gardner can add to the team tonight, hopefully Lockett will be joining them as well?

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

Excited to see what Gardner can add to the team tonight, hopefully Lockett will be joining them as well?

Gardner should be a huge help, right now the bigs we have been using are Burke and Jackson and while they give great defensive effort they are lacking on the offensive end to say the least. Hopefully Davante can bring some sort of offensive presence inside and hold his own on the Defense that would round things out a little bit more.

[DCwarrior]

On to the Elite 8

[TedBaxter]

Fun game to watch. Every player contributed and a Trend siting to boot.

[TheSultan]

That was the first game I watched and I really enjoyed it. Really cool that they are so proud of the program they played for. Buycks was even talking about how much that meant to him afterwards.

[warriorfan4life]

He clearly will not need the money, but I would love to Wesley Matthews back on the Marquette sidelines when he retires.

[AlexJesswein]

Fun game to watch. Every player contributed and a Trend siting to boot.

He had 14 points for Team Utah

[Gato78]

Love the unis with the arrow heads on sides like '77 Championship era unis.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

That is one thing I really like, our team is all MU alums, not like most of these teams that carry a schools name but have a mix of players from different schools. I think it makes it a little more special.

[CaribouJim]

Nice run to end the first half - was getting nervous there for a bit and nice halftime interview with Travis in Wesley's absence .

[pbiflyer]

It's just nice to be able to watch these guys play again.

[TedBaxter]

Need a hoop and a stop. Down 72-66.

[MU/Panther]

Needed a DG head in the game tonight.

[Markedman]

DG needs to lose about 20 or 30 lbs.

Too many turnovers down the stretch and our small team couldn't rebound especially on the defensive end.

Fun run. Buycks has gotten so much better and Chapman has a sweet stroke from deep.

Maybe next year

[IrwinFletcher]

Maybe next year we can add Steve Novak.

[mufan2003]

Maybe next year we can add Steve Novak.

Really enjoyed watching the alumni play. I hope Vander Blue signs on next summer, joining when he can (2nd weekend or 2nd game like Jamil). Lazar Hayward, Trent Lockett. Otule for protecting the paint and rebounding when needed? Matt Carlino, Matt Thomas, Juan Anderson? Even Diener, though focusing on coaching now, should consider playing.

[Markedman]

Matt Thomas?

[mufan2003]

Matt Thomas?

Lol...my bad, Jake Thomas.:D

[IWB]

What that team may have needed was someone like Ooze. A big that can run the floor.

By the way, in talking to some former MU players, Ooze has really been cashing in. Playing in multiple leagues, travelling the world but not spending his money - I'm told the only thing he ever spent money on was an apartment complex for his family to run/operate.

[Markedman]

Maybe Luke plays in it next year if he isn't drafted?