The Marquette Golden Eagles head to the Sweet 16 after a tough battle against the Colorado Buffaloes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
Even though Marquette held an 11-point lead at halftime, the 81-77 victory wasn’t easy. The game came down to key plays in the deciding moments, with veteran guard Tyler Korek making a clutch basket to protect Marquette’s lead and ultimately get the final buzzer in his team’s favor.
After the game, Marquette head coach Shaka Smart spoke to CBS’s Andy Katz, but Katz found himself choking and could not contain his emotions.
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Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart during a game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Indianapolis during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 22, 2024. hugs No. 11 Tyler Kolek. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
“I’m just grateful. Thank you to them, to our fans, to our players who kept fighting. And now we can keep playing,” Smart said, fighting back tears.
Smart’s emotions make him a great coach, whether it was reaching the Final Four at VCU in 2011 or puffing his chest out in a loss to the University of Texas, a team that had never won the NCAA Tournament. There is. and.
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Smart, who is in his third season at Marquette, didn’t win a tournament game in his first year and lost in the second round last year, but he finally returned to the Sweet 16.
Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka celebrates a turnover against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half of the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. ·smart. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
“I’m really grateful to the guys for their hard work,” Smart said of his team late Sunday. “There were a lot of moments where we could have overcome it. We’ve had a lot of adversity this year. Having (Kolek) come back on time was perfect for us. He helped lead the way. But his belief and toughness really rubbed off on our opponents.” “
When Smart’s team was set to return home before heading to Dallas for the Sweet 16, Katz asked what was driving him. Even if his tears didn’t speak enough, his words certainly were.
“I love you. I love these guys,” he said. “I don’t want this season to end. That’s the most important thing. So you have a few more days. Go home and rest. Go to Dallas.”
Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart reacts against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half of the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. do. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Marquette will now prepare to face No. 11 North Carolina State, which continues its Cinderella-like run. They advanced to the Sweet 16 by defeating No. 6 Texas Tech University and No. 14 Oakland University.
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