MILWAUKEE - A 10-0 finish in the spring volleyball campaign should prepare the Marquette women's team for a tough fall season. If the Golden Eagles weren't ready to face the music then, they better be ready now. I, for one, expect the ladies to mature as a team and improve on last year's 18-12 record. The Marquette women don't have that much time to enjoy the summer because they start the 2010 fall season at Minnesota on August 27. "Minnesota is a pretty good powerhouse program for volleyball nationally," said coach Bond Shymansky. "To go up into their gym this fall and beat them on their home court is gonna be a prettty tall order." The Golden Gophers finished the 2009 season ranked No. 4 in the country. After the Minnesota trip, the Golden Eagles travel to California to play at No. 7 Stanford. Their first home matches are Sept. 10-12 as they host their own invitaational. Nearly a month will pass before Marquette host Big East opponents St. John's and UConn on Oct. 8 and 10. West Virginia and Pittsburgh will visit the Al McGuire Center on Oct. 29 and 31. The six-game conference home series will conclude on Nov. 12 and 14 against Louisville and Cincinnati. Shymansky said his squad should be ready. "We scheduled pretty tough last year, but we took our lumps through it," he said. "We looked a little shellshocked at times. "We weren't sure we belonged. And I think now we know we belong." Shymansky said Marquette volleyball fans will be disappointed with only 11 home games scheduled at the Al. Last year, there were 13 home volleyball games. For Marquette, it's important that they get off to a fast start. "We don't put the cart before the horse too much," Shymansky said. "We want to make sure that we're winning every match that we go out and play."
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 Burton is a stand-out at Milwaukee Vincent High School.
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Some kids are born to be politicians, other are born to be scientists... Deonte Burton was born to play basketball. The freshman wing from Milwaukee Vincent High School is perfectly crafted for dominance on the hardwood, from his incredibly defined 6'5" frame to a brain that seems like it was wired to compete. He is so dominant for his age that his AAU team (Terry Porter Elite) only enters tournaments in older age groups because playing against other freshman is too easy for him- and still he is almost always far and away the most dominant player on the court at all times. The class of 2013 is one that is loaded with talent across the country, but there is no doubt that Deonte is among the nation's elite... If you ask him what his hobbies are- he'll tell you basketball is his only one, if you ask him about parties and girls- he'll tell you that he has no time for that because there is always something he can be doing to get an edge for his next game, and if you ask him what his purpose in life is-he'll tell you he was born to ball.
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 Buzz Williams looks over his players. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)
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MILWAUKEE – If it was up to Marquette coach Buzz Williams, his entire team would be in Syracuse practicing for the regional semifinal game against Big East opponent West Virginia.
Instead, he was at the Al McGuire Center Tuesday addressing the media on goals for next season for the returning players and incoming freshmen.
It was obvious that he isn't over the opening round loss to Washington in San Jose, CA, last Thursday. Since Williams break down each game by possessions, it was the last one that would send them packing.
"We got in (the NCAA Tournament) because of one possession wins and we went out the same way," Williams said.
The Golden Eagles allowed the Huskies to get a couple of offensive rebounds as time wound down with a tie score. Washington didn't call a time out and Quincy Pondexter hit the winning shot. Pondexter beat Marquette's Jimmy Butler with no help. And that's how their season ended.
MILWAUKEE – Roll out the purple carpet and turn on the lights. It's showtime.
Thursday was the day for dress rehearsal, with first and second round games here at the Bradley Center on Friday and Sunday. Fans had a chance to watch the eight teams (Minnesota, Ohio State, Xavier, Oakland, Mich., Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, UC-Santa Barbara and Oklahoma State) practice for 45 minutes at no charge.
At the door, there were checks and balances in every area throughout the building. Bags were checked. Members of media had to show a government I.D. when coming in the BC. No bottled drinks into the arena. The credential had to be shown at all times. Believe it or not, if you wanted wireless internet, it was $16.50 a day when normally it's available for free. The NCAA will make money in any way they can.
Near the media interview area, an usher held a sign that said, "Quiet please." It was to prevent unwanted background noise through TV or radio audio. It was common courtesy to keep an inside voice near that area because it's rude to interrupt people talking or listening. And the NCAA lifted a rule that's usually enforced during the regular season: Entering the players locker room after games and practices.
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