BleedGopher
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per Marcus:
Q: What was that moment like when your No. 34 was raised into the rafters?
A: What hit me was the fact that all the hard work, all the sacrifice, all the drills, all the videos, all the injuries, all of the doubt [was worth it.] You’re talking about winning 18 games in two years. You’re talking about turning it around like that. That’s the reality. [No one would believe if] I said to you a team that was 9-19 for two years and the next year, they’re going to make it to the Sweet 16 and be known as the nation’s giant killers and knock off top-ranked teams. I think that’s what really came into play. No one knew how hard it was for us.
Q: How did you feel being able to celebrate the moment with Haskins and your former teammates?
A: Yeah, Willie Burton did a few things that were different in some statistical areas. But at the end of the day we were all out there together. They set screens; they passed the ball. When I decided to break the play, they didn’t fight me. They believed I knew what I was doing, and they supported me. I made a decision outside of maybe what the coach said, and they supported it. I’m up there, but we’re up there.
Go Gophers!!
Q: What was that moment like when your No. 34 was raised into the rafters?
A: What hit me was the fact that all the hard work, all the sacrifice, all the drills, all the videos, all the injuries, all of the doubt [was worth it.] You’re talking about winning 18 games in two years. You’re talking about turning it around like that. That’s the reality. [No one would believe if] I said to you a team that was 9-19 for two years and the next year, they’re going to make it to the Sweet 16 and be known as the nation’s giant killers and knock off top-ranked teams. I think that’s what really came into play. No one knew how hard it was for us.
Q: How did you feel being able to celebrate the moment with Haskins and your former teammates?
A: Yeah, Willie Burton did a few things that were different in some statistical areas. But at the end of the day we were all out there together. They set screens; they passed the ball. When I decided to break the play, they didn’t fight me. They believed I knew what I was doing, and they supported me. I made a decision outside of maybe what the coach said, and they supported it. I’m up there, but we’re up there.
Gophers legend Willie Burton reflects on his jersey retirement and the program
Willie Burton smiled. He cried. He took it all in as his No. 34 and picture were revealed in the rafters of Williams Arena, where he dominated during a legendary career.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!