Kolek returns, helps Marquette by W. Kentucky in NCAA tournament
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Kolek returns, helps Marquette by W. Kentucky in NCAA tournament

  • Ben Child, ESPN Employees AuthorMar 22, 2024, 05:54 PM ET

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      Ben Child covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the corporate in July 2019. Previous to ESPN, he labored for numerous newspapers in Texas, most not too long ago at The Dallas Morning Information the place he lined faculty sports activities.
      He supplies day by day protection of the Bengals for ESPN.com, whereas making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL exhibits and ESPN Radio applications.
      A local of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the College of North Texas with a bachelor’s diploma in journalism. He’s an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist College and a member of the Asian American Journalists Affiliation (AAJA).

INDIANAPOLIS — Marquette senior guard Tyler Kolek stated he did not want any time to settle in after lacking a couple of weeks with an damage. However as soon as he bought rolling within the second half, all the pieces flipped for the No. 2 seed Golden Eagles.

Kolek, who missed three weeks due to an indirect damage, dropped a double-double in an 87-69 win over 15-seed Western Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Marquette erased a seven-point halftime deficit largely on account of Kolek. He completed the sport with 18 factors and 11 assists, with 10 of these coming within the second half.

“All I bought to do is catch it and throw it within the rim,” Jones stated. “That is what he does. He is [an] All-American for a motive. We’d like that from him. That is what he did tonight.”

Kolek, the NCAA’s chief in assists and a second-team AP All-America choice, had been out since Feb. 28 with what he described as a Grade 2 indirect pressure. He returned to observe this week and was a full participant for 2 days, he stated.

Regardless of the absence, he stated he by no means felt like he was out of rhythm.

“I have been enjoying this recreation a very long time,” Kolek stated. “As soon as I hit the ground, some apparent jitters as a result of I have not performed since three weeks now, however I believe 37 minutes, most minutes in a recreation, so I assumed I did all proper with the wind.”

The senior from Cumberland, Rhode Island, was held at bay within the first half because the Hilltoppers (22-12) surged to a 43-36 halftime lead. Western Kentucky senior ahead Tyrone Marshall Jr. spearheaded a torrid end to the half and scored 17 factors within the opening 20 minutes.

However after the break, Marquette (26-9) clamped down on Marshall. He had 4 factors on 2-of-4 taking pictures within the second half.

The distinction, Marquette coach Shaka Sensible stated, was so simple as enjoying with a bit extra effort and being a bit meaner.

“He was terrific with how aggressive he was within the first half,” Sensible stated. “It is as basic as altering the look on our face once we’re guarding him.”

The Golden Eagles additionally made an enormous adjustment to get Kolek extra space. Within the first half, Kolek stated Western Kentucky made it a degree to maintain him out of the paint. Sensible and Marquette adjusted by transferring away from ball screens between him and the middle and began working the offense between him and Jones.

Jones scored 18 factors within the second half and Kolek had assists on 10 of the workforce’s 20 subject targets because the duo nullified any hopes of a Western Kentucky upset.

“We gave them some open appears the place we simply weren’t linked sufficient defensively with our communication and people types of issues,” Western Kentucky coach Steve Lutz stated. “And so they bought going.

Marquette will advance to face 7-seed Florida or 10-seed Colorado on Sunday in Indianapolis.

Jones stated that each one season, the Golden Eagles have felt like a Closing 4 contender. After three straight exits within the match’s opening weekend, they understand how troublesome a deep run will be, too. However with Kolek again within the fold, issues felt acquainted for Marquette on Friday.

“He got here again in, bought the ball, made the performs he usually makes and we simply do what we do,” Jones stated. “We’re glad to have him and grateful to have him again.”