The Marquette Golden Eagles faced the Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon in the Round of 32. Marquette took down Colorado by a final score of 81-77. With the win, Marquette advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 11 years. The Golden Eagles now have a 28-9 record this season and the Buffaloes finished the season with a 26-12 record.
The Golden Eagles now head from Indianapolis, Indiana to Dallas, Texas. In the Sweet 16, they will face the 11 North Carolina State Wolfpacks. Marquette is the two-seed in the South Region. Marquette will not play again until Friday night in Dallas, Texas.
Head coach Shaka Smart is super proud of his team and he has not gotten past the first weekend since 2011, when he was the head coach of the VCU Rams and went to the Final Four that season. This is a big step for Marquette’s program after they lost to the Michigan State Spartans in the Round of 32 last season.
Five different players scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles. Tyler Kolek was the star player for the Golden Eagles down the stretch. He finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists. Kolek got his players involved early and often.
Kam Jones scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded one assist. David Joplin scored 14 points, Oso Ighodaro scored 10 points, and Chase Ross scored 12 points off the bench for Marquette. Ross stepping up off the bench proved that the Golden Eagles continue to show what kind of deep basketball they have been all season long.
Colorado Buffaloes Offense Plays Fine Against the Marquette Golden Eagles
Scoring 77 points feels like a far cry from scoring 102 points against the Florida Gators in the first game, but that is still pretty good against a very good Marquette defense. Tad Boyle is the head coach of the Buffaloes. His leading scorer was KJ Simpson with 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
Tristan da Silva scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded two assists. Eddie Lampkin Jr. scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Cody Williams also added 10 points for Colorado,
Marquette had an 11-point halftime lead 45-34, but Colorado did not go away and made it tough for the Golden Eagles. This is a step in the right direction to get to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona. The Golden Eagles are two wins away from going to the Final Four for the first time in over 20 years.
