No. 10 Marquette picked up a massive conference win on Saturday, defeating Big East rival No. 22 Creighton, 72-67, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
But it wasn’t just a homecourt advantage that helped the Golden Eagles put away the Bluejays. It was some elite defense by one of the most unexpected figures in the program: head coach Shaka Smart.
Smart has always been animated on the sidelines during games but he took that way too far during a Creighton offensive possession in front of the Marquette bench in the first half. While attempting to instruct his players on how to defend, he ended up jumping into the play on the court.
Shaka Smart with the ELITE help defense😤‼️
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) December 30, 2023
Plenty of criticism goes to Smart here, but don’t let the officials off the hook, either. This should’ve been an easy technical foul on the head coach. Instead it goes down as a successful defensive stop for Marquette.
Fans couldn’t believe Smart got away with this.
Didn't know Shaka Smart was Marquette’s 6th man pic.twitter.com/bHpCq7XzHe
— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) December 30, 2023
absolutely horrible by the Big East officials to let Shaka Smart play defense against @playforhim3 in the first half. The Big East needs to fine Mr. Smart.
— Jake (@loynograd98) December 30, 2023
I think the MVP of the Creighton vs. Marquette game has to go to that Shaka Smart kid. He had elite d in the corner.
— William Swanson (@Will_Swanson12) December 30, 2023
Like Shaka Smart can’t be serious. He shut off the baseline drive here 😵💫😂 pic.twitter.com/O9edIdFSmg
— The 🐐 Tom Crean (@CBBJunkie_) December 30, 2023
Shaka Smart is literally on the court waving his arms while Creighton is on offense. Ridiculous!
— Heath Gunderson (@Heath_Gunderson) December 30, 2023
