Marquette has lost its last three games on Senior Night, and head coach Buzz Williams said he’s “not any good” at the post-game ceremonies, but having Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom should make both difficulties easier.
“I think it’s hard to argue that those two guys are anything but lion chasers,” Williams said of his two seniors. “Those guys don’t get chased by the lion, they chase the lion. I think that’s very rare, that you find guys in this day and age that you can give that title to, and that’s what I think those two guys are.”
Both will be honored following Saturday’s game against Georgetown, but both Johnson-Odom and Crowder spoke to the importance of the game at hand.
“My coaching staff hasn’t won a senior day since they’ve been here,” Crowder said. “We’re all aware of it. Us getting a win tomorrow, that would put a stamp on the regular season heading into the postseason.”
Both Johnson-Odom’s and Crowder’s paths to Marquette were non-traditional, with both arriving via the junior college route. Johnson-Odom, specifically, arrived at Marquette while Williams’ attempted to overhaul a roster that saw an entire recruiting class leave in 2008.
“Obviously (Johnson-Odom) was a part of the beginning of that change,” Williams said. “And what both of those guys have meant to us speaks for itself. ”
Darius Johnson-Odom will be remembered for his deadly 3-point shot, but also for his leadership. (Marquette Tribune Photo)
Williams also said his relationship with both Crowder and Johnson-Odom have been special, in part, because of the route they took to get to Milwaukee.
“Their paths here is a story in and of itself, and then what they have been able to do since they have been here is a story in and of itself,” Williams said. “And I’m very thankful for the relationship I have with them. I still have definitely a kindred relationship with these two kids.”
Crowder, who has had two “senior” days, both in high school and before he left Howard College in Texas, said he won’t be emotional after the game.
“I don’t think I’ll be emotional at all,” Crowder said. “I’ll be a little sad but I probably won’t show it. I know it had to come at some point so I’m prepared for it.”
Johnson-Odom, on the other hand, said he will be emotional, but only because of the importance of the game.
“I definitely feel very emotional about it,” Johnson-Odom said. “Not that it’s our last home game but we’ve never won senior night since I’ve been here. We have to be mentally focused. We’re playing a great team in Georgetown. We have to just find a way to get the win.”
The uncanny leadership from both, dealing with a relatively young and inexperienced roster, is something Johnson-Odom strives for.
“Me and Jae, we talk about what we have to do not just with each other but with our teammates as well,” Johnson-Odom said. “The guys do a real good job of understanding us. When they don’t understand, they do a great job of asking. So I think from freshman to senior, everybody is trying to learn what we have to do. They know the culture of Marquette. They continue to work hard and be good players, on and off the court.”
Williams agreed, noting that both upperclassmen were expected to enter Marquette as leaders, something they have done well.
Jae Crowder's leadership and positive influence on the younger Marquette players is something that will be tough too replicate for future senior classes. (Marquette Tribune Photo)
“When you’re a guy that comes in with two years left or three years left, (Johnson-Odom) could potentially finish in the top 10 in scoring at a place that’s had a lot of good players, and he’s only been here three years,” Williams said. “And then you look at what Jae’s been able to do and his efficiency and effectiveness, I think that speaks to who they are as people. Their talent is evident, but it speaks to who they are that they’ve been able to have that sort of impact, because that impact had to begin immediately.”
Crowder spoke of the legacy he hoped to leave at Marquette whenever his time as a Golden Eagle is over.
“Someone who came to work every day,” he said. “(And) was responsible for what he did on and off the court. Just want to be remembered as one of the guys who came to work every day.”
Transitioning from unknowns to potential First Team All-Big East players is something Johnson-Odom hopes is a mark left on the program.
“Everybody wants to be known for their wins,” he said. “Me and Jae, we both want to be known as two guys nobody really knew, coming in from JuCo, and had an impact on and off the court.”
Williams said the senior duo has already accomplished all that, and that they will be remembered as such.
“That they’re lion chasers,” Williams said. “That they answer the bell every single day, that they want to compete. That they understand that the separation between good and great is winning and losing. That they want to be coached. They’re not scared to be coached. They’re not scared to be coached hard. All of those things I think speak to who they are.”
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