Marquette’s Tyler Kolek, Jones Star in Win vs. Colorado, Thrill March Madness Fans

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVMarch 24, 2024

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Marquette held on to beat No. 10 Colorado 81-77 and advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

This is the first time since 2013 the second-seeded Golden Eagles have punched a ticket to the regional semifinals.

Marquette led by as many as 12 points and was up eight at halftime. The Buffaloes continued to hang around in the second half and had multiple opportunities to jump ahead late.

Sophomore guard Chase Ross hit a pivotal long-range jumper to put the Golden Eagles up three and senior guard Tyler Kolek restored the advantage with a left-handed floater inside the final minute.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportTyler Kolek is CLUTCH.

Marquette with the late lead pic.twitter.com/ePRLp0jbrx

Kolek posted a game-high 21 points along with 11 assists for his eighth double-double of the season. Junior guard Kam Jones chipped in with 18 points and went 4-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Marquette’s backcourt tandem drew a lot of praise on social media:

Pat Forde @ByPatFordeWith 11 minutes left:
Simpson has 16 points and six assists.
Kolek has 14 points and nine assists.
They’re delivering.

J. Kyle Mann @jkylemannman, kolek is so methodical and persistent trying to find the angle and advantage he wants

fun to watch

Doug Gottlieb @GottliebShowTrap Kolek on every ball screen. Make someone else beat you

Ryan Hammer🔨 @ryanhammer09Not a single player in the country has the feel that Tyler Kolek plays with. Game is always at his pace, under his control

Terrence Oglesby @T_Oglesby22Said it before but it’s worth saying again

Tyler Kolek is a killer

Benson @BensonSmooth24Kam Jones since being snubbed for All Big East pic.twitter.com/XpUkVQVmuG

John Fanta @John_FantaIf you give Kam Jones space, you’re going to pay a very hefty price. A walking bucket.

CBB Content @CBBcontentDaily reminder that Kam Jones is from Memphis and Penny Hardaway passed on him

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzelloMarquette is headed to its first Sweet 16 since 2013, Shaka Smart is headed to his first Sweet 16 since he led VCU to a Final Four in 2011.

Kam Jones lights-out in the first half, Tyler Kolek masterclass in manipulating the defense in the second. Got wherever he wanted.

Mike O’Donnell @MOD4threeEvery HS point guard in the country should be watching this Colorado v Marquette game.

Want to learn how to score from the PG position? Follow KJ Simpson.

Want to know how to pass? Follow Tyler Kolek.

High level stuff.

The Buffaloes came up short despite the best efforts of junior guard KJ Simpson, who had 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists. He was the hero in the first round against Florida but couldn’t replicate that magic when Colorado needed a bucket in the waning moments Sunday.

Carter Elliott @CarterElliott__KJ Simpson what in the Johnell Davis was that?

David Blattman @davidblattmanI’ve never seen a player have less urgency with 7 seconds left and down 4 than KJ Simpson.

A date with No. 11 North Carolina State awaits Marquette in the next round. The Wolfpack ended Oakland’s Cinderella bid in overtime on Saturday after having ousted sixth-seeded Texas Tech to open the tournament.

In terms of the draw, Marquette will have expected to get a slightly more difficult road after getting placed in the bottom half with No. 3 Kentucky. Especially after Sunday’s scare, Shaka Smart’s squad won’t be looking past NC State.

The action tips off Friday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.