Victory over the Badgers is big stuff for Deane

0 Comments | Milwaukee Journal, The, Jan 1, 1995 | by DARRYL O. LEDBETTER

Marquette University's first- year coach, Mike Deane, really wanted a victory over the University of Wisconsin.

So much so that he was sometimes over-bearing in the week leading up to the game.

"I actually toned it down in the pre-game," Deane said. "I was all ready to go into my Knute Rockne speech and it wasn't necessary. You could see it in the guys' eyes . . . that they were ready.

"I backed off because I didn't want them to be too tight."

Deane wasn't ready to go to Disneyland or anything, but he was indeed pleased with the victory.

"I'm ecstatic," Deane said. "Did you watch me on the sideline? I worked a little harder than I usually do. I made it perfectly clear that this is a very important game. Fans and alumni everywhere I've been and every group that I've talked to insisted upon letting me know that they feel exactly the same way.

"This rivalry is a big part of this basketball program. We are going to continue to take to that tradition and to emphasize it with our guys and the recruits."

Deane's predecessor, Kevin O'Neill, had a 1-5 record against the Badgers and looked at the game as a speed bump before Great Midwest Conference play started.

Griffith plays well: It was somewhat perplexing that Wisconsin did not pound the ball inside early to Rashard Griffith, a 6-foot-11-inch, 255-pound center. Marquette defended Griffith with Faisal Abraham, a rock solid 6-7, 220-pounder and Abel Joseph, a 6-8, 225 sophomore.

"He wasn't in a whole lot earlier in the game, that was part of the problem and so we weren't looking for him," Van Gundy said. "I don't think our shot selection was that bad.

"That was his worst shooting night of the year. He's 6 for 12 with 10 free throws. He can't do a whole lot more than that 22 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. If anyone else steps up and plays in that game we have a chance."

Eagles' enforcers: George Thompson, Marquette's all-time leading scorer and radio analyst, has dubbed Faisal Abraham and Abel Joseph, the Sheriff and the Deputy.

"Because they enforce the law and order in the paint," Thompson said.

"Faisal and Abel are our two strongest guys, our two roughest guys," Deane said. "They get dwarfed by a guy like Rashard, but they were able to do a solid job on him."

Quite a crowd: The 18,285 fans made up the third-largest crowd to see Marquette play at the Bradley Center. The top crowd was 18,563 against Cincinnati on Feb. 25, 1993. The second largest crowd was 18,543 against Wisconsin on Jan. 2, 1993.

Miller time: John Killilea, director of player personnel for the Houston Rockets, was on hand for the game and came away impressed with Marquette guard Tony Miller.

"He could conceivably be drafted," Killilea said. "He'll definitely get a look. Teams need smart point guards. He's smart. He makes good decisions.

"He shoots well enough to be able to penetrate with success.

"Leadership qualities are important in a player and he has them. You know that team out there {Marquette} is his team."

Killilea is a former assistant with the Bucks. He was among the National Basketball Association scouts in attendance at the game including: Bucks assistant Frank Hamblen, Vancouver's Larry Riley (a former Bucks assistant), Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, Washington's Chuck Douglas and Dallas' Tom Netzel.