There’s so much I want to say that it sometimes makes it difficult to even start writing. I want to capture everything I’m feeling, but time and thought evades me. So I’ll keep it brief.
Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro have brought me more joy than any Marquette tandem in over a decade, at least. I was a senior for Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom’s final season, so have an incredible affinity for what they did.
But while Jae and DJO were both amazing and brought MU to great heights together, they were continuing a tradition that was in place before they got there. And while they played on the court a lot, they were complimentary of each other, not necessarily intertwined.
So let me amend a previous statement. Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro have brought me more joy than any Marquette tandem in my lifetime.
They resurrected a program together, destroying what we thought was possible in Year 1.
They put Marquette’s name in the rafters, combining to win both the regular and tournament Big East championships for the first time in program history in Year 2.
They maintained Marquette’s lofty expectations, breaking records that stood since the 70s of the external popularity barometer better known as the AP Poll in Year 3.
And while there is plenty of credit to go around in terms of the program’s success the past 3 seasons, these 2 are the foundation and tentpole. They are the culture that Shaka Smart speaks so much of. They are the spine of Marquette’s offense and defense that’s had fans and neutrals agog for years now.
More simply put, they are Marquette.
Symbiotic Relationship
But aside from the accolades they have brought upon themselves and the program, what has made these two so special the past 3 years is that their play on the offensive side of the court has been so intertwined, that I had to pull out a thesaurus to figue out if symbiotic was an appropriate word choice.
It is.
Their P&R game has been beating the best competition in D1 over and over and over again for 3 years now. Their movements synchronized and seemingly effortless to create space and opportunity.
It’s a beautiful thing to watch. Not in a figurative sense, I mean literally. They play the pick and roll game at the highest level it can be played, with a grace and ability that evokes emotion in me.
If you want to put some numbers behind the artistic aspect, Kolek has assisted on 172 of Oso’s made field goals the past 3 seasons. And only got better with age.
2021: 39% of Oso’s assisted makes came from Tyler
2022: 62% of Oso’s assisted makes came from Tyler
2023: 69% of Oso’s assisted makes came from Tyler
Back to the Jae and DJO comparison, when I think of them, I don’t necessarily think of the other for on court play. They were great together, individually.
Tyler and Oso have moved as one for so long now, it’s difficult to separate one from the other. Individually, they are incredible. Together, they are inevitable.
But not eternal.
The Start of the End
On a somber senior night, one with Kolek in street clothes rather than his radiant No. 11, we will say the first of 3 goodbyes to a pair that have filled our winters with hope and happiness.
Thankfully, there is much season to be played, but in front of 17K+ adoring fans, they will get a taste of the bittersweet chalice that is the start of the end.
Sure, they both have a year of eligibility left, but let’s be honest, there isn’t much upside for them professionally from returning for another year. And both have made it fairly clear that they don’t intend to, even if the door remains unlocked.
So as the applause envelopes them prior to tipoff one last time, they can feel a sense of the gratitude the Marquette fanbase has for them in their forever home, a Forum they have made a fortress.
With Oso and Tyler on the floor together, Marquette created one of the most dominant home court advantages, winning 43 of their 48 contests, including matching a Big East record 20 in a row.
I do not take that for granted. I will take the liberty to speak on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of fans that have watched them over 3 winters, and say they will never be forgotten.
We have more goodbyes ahead of us, more appreciative tomes. But from the first possession to the last at Fiserv Forum, it has been an honor to root for these two.
Thank you for giving us more than we dared to dream.
Make a one-time donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate yearly
Paint Touches 
Leave a comment