Shaka Smart Gets Emotional After Marquette Beats Colorado To Reach Sweet 16

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Shaka Smart started his head coaching career at VCU back in 2009. Smart had instant success, leading the Rams to a Cinderella-type run in just his second season. Eventually, that success landed him a head coaching job at Texas and now at Marquette. 

In 2011, Smart's VCU Rams entered the NCAA Tournament as an 11-seed and played in the First Four round. They became the first team in history to start their NCAA Tournament journey in the First Four and then reach the Final Four. 

They eventually lost to Butler in the Final Four, but Smart seemed destined for college basketball greatness. His uptempo style and smothering defensive pressure allowed his teams to beat more talented opponents. 

But since that Final Four 13 years ago, Smart has not had the NCAA Tournament success that many thought he would. VCU failed to reach the Sweet 16 in any of his next four seasons. Despite that, the Texas Longhorns hired Smart. 

Shaka Smart coached the Texas Longhorns from 2015-2021.

Shaka Smart coached the Texas Longhorns from 2015-2021. 

(Scott Wachter/USA TODAY Sports)

His tenure in Austin didn't lead to any NCAA Tournament success, either. The Longhorns reached the tournament in three of his six seasons (one tournament was canceled due to COVID, but Texas likely wasn't going to make it that season) but they never made it past the Round of 64. 

He left for Marquette and led the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament in his first season, but they suffered yet another Round of 64 loss. Last year, Marquette won both the Big East regular season and tournament championships. 

Thanks to that performance, the Eagles landed a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They won their opening game before suffering yet another first-weekend loss, this one coming against #7 Michigan State. 

The Eagles once again put together a strong regular season this year and, once again, received a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. This year, though, Smart finally got over the hurdle that has stood in his way since that magical 2011 run. 

Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart reacts during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes in the NCAA Tournament.

Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart reacts during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes in the NCAA Tournament.

(Robert Goddin/USA TODAY Sports)

The Golden Eagles defeated the Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16. It's not only Smart's first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2011, but it's the first trip for Marquette since 2013. 

Understandably, Smart was quite emotional after beating Colorado. 

Marquette advances to face N.C. State, itself a Cinderella squad. The Wolfpack won five games in five days to capture the ACC Tournament championship and secure a bid in the NCAA Tournament. Like Smart's 2011 VCU squad, N.C. State is also a #11 seed that was not expected to still be playing basketball this season. 

But if anyone knows how to handle a team like that, it should be Smart. Can he and the Eagles keep their run going?  We'll find out this week.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.