Marquette Finds Way With Hayward, Upsets 'Nova

FanHouse Big East senior writer Brett McMurphy is in New York breaking down every game of the Big East tournament.

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MARQUETTE REMAINS LAZAR SHARP

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NEW YORK – Think the Big East coaches might want to reconsider their votes for the All-Big East first-team and include Marquette senior Lazar Hayward (pictured) this time?

They would if they took his first two games of the Big East tournament into consideration.

Hayward had 20 points, including a late 3-pointer from NBA range, to spark the No. 5 seeded Golden Eagles to an 80-76 victory against No. 4 seed Villanova in Thursday's quarterfinals.

"I don't know if I would say I was dominating, I think I did all right," Hayward said. "When I had that three, I had a little space and I saw he had his hands down.

"I just shot it and it was a rhythm shot. So you know, Coach never gets mad if we shoot rhythm threes. It went in and it definitely was a big momentum swing for us."

Was it ever.

Hayward's 3-pointer gave Marquette a 73-70 lead with 1:49 remaining. In the final 31 seconds, Hayward hit all four free throws, including the game clinching pair with 3.2 seconds remaining.

His final free throw bounced twice on the front of the rim before crawling into the basket and sending Marquette's fan base inside Madison Square Garden into a frenzied state. When Villanova's final 3-pointer fell harmlessly to the court, Hayward ran toward Marquette's student section, pointing directly at them.

In Wednesday's victory against St. John's, Hayward broke a tie in the final six minutes with a 3-pointer. He also hit both free throws with 35 seconds remaining to give MU a four-point cushion and finished with 20 points and nine rebounds.

He said he's been able to remain calm because of the way the Golden Eagles prepare every day.

"I know in every single practice Coach really gears it up and it's wild," Hayward said. "It's really like a football practice the way we practice every single day. And I think that's why when we get in those games and we get into the guts of a game, we're all calm because we do that every single day.

"And when those things happen, we're able to say 'OK we've been here before. We know what we're supposed to do.'"

Hayward was asked to expand on those practices.

"He [Coach Buzz Williams] is a very emotional coach," Hayward said. "You see he's always revved up. And he's running around.

"He's saying words I can't say here. We know that's the only chance we have to win is to play extremely frantic and just play hard every single possession. Because, you know, that's the only way we know how to play."

In Marquette's two tournament wins, Hayward has 40 points, shooting 13 of 24 from the field, and 16 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (22-10) also got 24 points from Darius Johnson-Odom, 17 from David Cubillan and 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists from Jimmy Butler.

Corey Stokes' 22 points off the bench led Villanova (24-7). Corey Fisher added 16, Antonio Pena 14 and Scottie Reynolds 10.

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

Like No. 1 seed Syracuse, No. 4 seed Villanova leaves the Big Apple one-and-done. Coach Jay Wright does not seem too concerned. "I think one thing about this group, they've done a great job all year and have taken pride in getting better in practice," he said. "We need to get better. I think we can. We'll take a day or so off here. But we'll have some good practices and we'll improve between now and the time we play our first [NCAA] tournament game."

STAT OF THE GAME

61.1: Marquette's 3-point shooting percentage for the game, including a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range in the second half.

SOUNDBITE

"We're thankful that the game [Friday] is at 7. We'll be a little anxious [Friday]. We get to sleep in and breakfast will be late. And the hotel we're staying at, it will be messed up. And so we'll probably go somewhere else and eat so I don't have a meltdown." – Marquette coach Buzz Williams about playing at night Friday after two previous afternoon games.

NEXT UP

Marquette will play Georgetown in Friday's 7 p.m. ET semifinal.

Contact FanHouse senior writer Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com