Back to the Marquette Golden Eagles Newsfeed

How Marquette is learning from its early exit in last year’s NCAA Tournament

Related Topics: Shaka Smart, Tyler Kolek, Marquette

Stevie Mitchell flexes after an and-one layup in Marquette’s 87-69 win over Western Kentucky. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics.)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — They haven’t forgotten.

The pain. The sadness. The nagging. The belief they could’ve done more. Knowing their season ended with unfinished business.

Everyone on the Marquette men’s basketball team remembers last year’s NCAA Tournament Round of 32 defeat at the hands of Michigan State.

After the season-ending loss, head coach Shaka Smart had every member of the team — staff, players and coaches — write down what they believe worked in the Golden Eagles’ win over Vermont and, more importantly, what didn’t work in the second round loss to the Spartans.