Rough start never stopped Marquette

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Not much was expected out of Marquette this season. And seven games into conference play, the Golden Eagles certainly seemed to be playing down to those expectations.

Marquette went 2-5 to start its Big East season, with four of those five losses coming by two points or less.

Asked Sunday evening if it felt at the time like they'd rebound to make the NCAA tournament - as a No. 6 seed, no less - leading scorer and senior leader Lazar Hayward just laughed.

Yet here they are, preparing for Thursday night's game against 11th-seeded Washington in San Jose, Calif.

Hayward says the Golden Eagles never lost hope, and believes their experience in close games will help them in the tournament.