There was definitely a common theme eminating from the Marquette contingent in the post-game press conference.
Both the players and coach Tom Crean spoke how their experience in big games — especially ones against Wisconsin — helped them in Saturday's victory, which ended the Badgers' 28-game home winning streak.
Other tidbits:
*Bo Ryan said that Brian Butch didn't play in the final three minutes because he wanted to go with a smaller, quicker lineup to help erase what was at the time a five-point deficit.
*Ryan also credited MU's advantage on the boards to the fact that center Greg Stiemsma didn't play much. Marquette outrebounded the Badgers 41-34 and grabbed 21 offensive rebounds.
*Crean used the beginning of his post-game statement to share his amazement at how the rivalry has grown. While it was always a big deal to those in Wisconsin, this was the second straight year the game received a national TV audience on either ESPN or ESPN2. Here's what he said:
"I said to Bo when we first greeted each other before the game, who would have thought that over this period of time that both teams would be where they’re ranked and where it’s such a big deal to play this game. I know it’s always been a big deal with Marquette and Wisconsin but over the last few years, it’s just gone up."
- John Casper Jr.
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