There is nothing traditional about the senior class that Marquette will honor before its last home game Saturday.
Racine natives Jamil Wilson and Jake Thomas transferred in, Wilson from Oregon and Thomas from South Dakota. Thomas left last summer but decided to come back.
It only seems like Chris Otule's first coach at Marquette was Tex Winter. Granted a sixth year of eligibility because of the serious injuries that plagued his career, the gentle 6-foot-11 center who was born with one eye persevered long enough that he was given a lifetime achievement award before the season began.
Only Davante Gardner was a conventional four-year player.
During their sporadic time together, the departing players were involved in much success. Gardner, for example, has only known the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight during his time with the Golden Eagles.
But the three seniors and one graduate student are also trying to avoid something altogether different during their remaining time.
They don't want to become the first Marquette class since 2005 to not be involved in the NCAA Tournament.
There are numbers, stats and maddening long-shot scenarios for the Golden Eagles (17-13, 9-8 Big East), beginning with the final regular-season home game against St. John's (19-11, 9-8) on Saturday.
"For the players, we don't look at any of that stuff," Thomas said. "We know if we don't win that we have no chance. We still have a chance. It all comes down to winning. There's nothing to look at. Once you get caught up in all the numbers you're just going to be more confused."
A loss to the Red Storm, which absolutely punished Marquette at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, would end the fanciful NCAA talk, barring a Big East tournament title. Otherwise, Marquette's chance to make a case for itself would involve beating St. John's and winning at least two games in the Big East tournament.
Coach Buzz Williams has sold his team on the three-game theory.
"Win Saturday and win the next two games in the tournament, get to 20 (victories) and we'll be OK," Gardner said.
The Golden Eagles really could have helped themselves Tuesday at Providence, but an 81-80 double-overtime loss was a crusher. Marquette had a one-point lead and the ball with 8 seconds left.
"It was a great game. We let one slip," Wilson said.
And now?
"We talk about (the NCAA Tournament) a bit," Wilson said. "Buzz brings it up here and there. We just try to focus on winning. That's the answer to everything.
"No one wants to go home early. The tournament is a great experience. I'd like to go a fourth time. It's not something we put too much pressure on because it would totally distract the team. We just focus on winning for the most part."
St. John's, with arguably the best individual talent in the league, has been almost as big a disappointment as Marquette. The Golden Eagles were the preseason pick to win the Big East but have struggled from inconsistency and the lack of a playmaker.
Now there is just one thing left to do.
"Just go out there and play hard," Gardner said. "It's my last home game and we need that game to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
"It's kind of sad that we're leaving. It's been a great four years. Hopefully there will be a good turnout."
For players who have experienced the tournament success in the last three years, ending their careers on a downer would not be the way to go out.
"Being a part of something like that is something I'll never forget," Wilson said. "It's been a crazy experience. To look back on it and realize it will be over sooner than later is pretty surreal."
Racine natives Jamil Wilson and Jake Thomas transferred in, Wilson from Oregon and Thomas from South Dakota. Thomas left last summer but decided to come back.
It only seems like Chris Otule's first coach at Marquette was Tex Winter. Granted a sixth year of eligibility because of the serious injuries that plagued his career, the gentle 6-foot-11 center who was born with one eye persevered long enough that he was given a lifetime achievement award before the season began.
Only Davante Gardner was a conventional four-year player.
During their sporadic time together, the departing players were involved in much success. Gardner, for example, has only known the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight during his time with the Golden Eagles.
But the three seniors and one graduate student are also trying to avoid something altogether different during their remaining time.
They don't want to become the first Marquette class since 2005 to not be involved in the NCAA Tournament.
There are numbers, stats and maddening long-shot scenarios for the Golden Eagles (17-13, 9-8 Big East), beginning with the final regular-season home game against St. John's (19-11, 9-8) on Saturday.
"For the players, we don't look at any of that stuff," Thomas said. "We know if we don't win that we have no chance. We still have a chance. It all comes down to winning. There's nothing to look at. Once you get caught up in all the numbers you're just going to be more confused."
A loss to the Red Storm, which absolutely punished Marquette at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, would end the fanciful NCAA talk, barring a Big East tournament title. Otherwise, Marquette's chance to make a case for itself would involve beating St. John's and winning at least two games in the Big East tournament.
Coach Buzz Williams has sold his team on the three-game theory.
"Win Saturday and win the next two games in the tournament, get to 20 (victories) and we'll be OK," Gardner said.
The Golden Eagles really could have helped themselves Tuesday at Providence, but an 81-80 double-overtime loss was a crusher. Marquette had a one-point lead and the ball with 8 seconds left.
"It was a great game. We let one slip," Wilson said.
And now?
"We talk about (the NCAA Tournament) a bit," Wilson said. "Buzz brings it up here and there. We just try to focus on winning. That's the answer to everything.
"No one wants to go home early. The tournament is a great experience. I'd like to go a fourth time. It's not something we put too much pressure on because it would totally distract the team. We just focus on winning for the most part."
St. John's, with arguably the best individual talent in the league, has been almost as big a disappointment as Marquette. The Golden Eagles were the preseason pick to win the Big East but have struggled from inconsistency and the lack of a playmaker.
Now there is just one thing left to do.
"Just go out there and play hard," Gardner said. "It's my last home game and we need that game to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
"It's kind of sad that we're leaving. It's been a great four years. Hopefully there will be a good turnout."
For players who have experienced the tournament success in the last three years, ending their careers on a downer would not be the way to go out.
"Being a part of something like that is something I'll never forget," Wilson said. "It's been a crazy experience. To look back on it and realize it will be over sooner than later is pretty surreal."
