| Marquette (21-4) |
Coach: Tom Crean
(C. Michigan '89)
8th season, 162-91
Career: 162-91
AP #11, RPI 15 |
Expected Starters:
(Statistics as of Feb. 6) |
| Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
| Dominic James |
5-11 |
16.0 |
| Jerel McNeal |
6-1 |
14.8 |
| Wesley Matthews |
6-5 |
12.5 |
| Lazar Haywood |
6-6 |
5.9 |
| Ousmane Barro |
6-10 |
8.8 |
| Team Stats: |
| Points/Game: |
73.3 |
| Points Allowed: |
63.0 |
| FG Shooting: |
45.2 |
| FG Defense |
41.3 |
| 3FG Shooting: |
33.7 |
| FT Shooting: |
63.7 |
| Rebounds/Game |
37.0 |
| Assists/Game |
14.4 |
| Turnovers/Game |
15.7 |
| Last 5 Games (5-0) |
01/21: MU 77, Pitt 74
01/22: MU 89, S. Hall 76 54
01/27: MU 70, S. Fla 68
01/31: MU 69, PC 62
02/03: MU 67, Rutg 47
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| Quick Facts |
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Game 23: vs. Marquette University
Feb. 10, 12:00 pm (EST), Verizon Center
Tickets Available? Sellout expected
TV: ESPN
GU Radio: WTEM-980
MU Radio: WAUK-1510
About The Warriors (aka Golden Eagles):
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Enrollment: 10,600
Conference: Big East
2004-05 Record: 20-11
Record vs. Georgetown: 2-2
Series to Date:
1941-42: GU 35, MU 34 (Chicago, IL)
1971-72: at MU 88, GU 44
2005-06: at MU 57, GU 51
2005-06: GU 62, MU 59 (Big East, New York)
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| Game Notes |
--This is the Marquette's first game in Washington against Georgetown. The three previous meetings were in Milwaukee or at neutral sites.
--Georgetown is 0-4 against teams in the RPI top 25, 17-1 outside it. Marquette and Pitt figure to be the only two remaining teams on the schedule to finish in the top 25.
--Through Wednesday, guard Jerel McNeal was #4 in the nation in steals.
--Marquette is 19-1 when leading at the half, 1-4 when trailing.
--Georgetown is 17-10 in games played on February 10, 3-3 in the Big East era. |
| Conference Rankings (through 2/7) |
| Out of 16 Teams: |
MU |
GU |
| Scoring |
3th |
7th |
| Defense |
7th |
2nd |
| FG % |
7th |
1st |
| 3FG% |
7th |
2nd |
| FT% |
11th |
8th |
| Rebounds |
3rd |
15th |
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| Preview |
In its biggest game of the year to date, Georgetown hosts a Marquette team that has won eight straight and expects to pose a strong challenge on both sides of the ball.
Marquette's guards are among the best in the nation. Dominic James and Jerel McNeal are sound in every facet of the game, and combine for 30 points per game between them, with effective assist and steal capabilities. The fact that James was held to a season low six points, McNeal had 10, and the Golden Eagles (aka Warriors) still won by 20 over Rutgers confirms this is a balanced team capable of big things in this game, and bigger things heading into March.
For all the plaudits given to James and his play, McNeal may be the key to Marquette this season. A practice injury kept McNeal out of the the lineup in a Big East opening loss to Providence, and McNeal has since scored in double figures in eight of nine conference games. In contrast to Louisville's backcourt, McNeal is more of a driving guard than a three point shooter, and his speed could be a point of emphasis on Georgetown's defensive sets.
What has also set Marquette apart this season has been frontcourt play. Sophomore Wesley Matthews has quietly put together one of the best runs to date this season by a small forward in the Big East, scoring in double figures in every conference game, much of it by drawing fouls and converting with accurate free throw shooting. In a four game stretch entering Wednesday's game with Rutgers, Matthews was 38 of 41 from the line. He'll be joined across the front line by 6-6 Lazar Haywood, whose stats aren't as solid but who has a knack of playing above his height against taller opponents. 6-9 junior Dan Fitzgerald could also see time at power forward, but did not play well in last season's meetings with the Hoyas, shooting only 1 of 4 in 33 minutes over two games.
If Marquette is to get the win, they'll depend on a big game from 6-10 center Ousmane Barro. Like Fitzgerald, Barro was contained by Georgetown inside in last season's two games, but has been a big reason why Marquette has been able to run through the Big East schedule to date. Wednesday's 11 point, 11 rebound effort against Rutgers was Barro's fifth double-double of the season, playing 31 minutes without a foul in the game. That a guard-dominant team like Marquette is still getting 28 to 32 points a game, on average, in the paint is reflective of how valuable Barro has been in making room inside.
Defensively, Marquette figures to use the zone defense to force Georgetown to shoot outside and to take advantage on rebounds. Georgetown's guards were not effective shooting against Louisville, with Wallace, Sapp, and Rivers combining to shoot 3 for 14. If Georgetown's guards can connect early, Marquette has to respond by extending the defense, which favors Georgetown, as the MU front line will have difficulty controlling the interior passing lanes if green and Hibbert get open.
Statistically speaking, the game poses a particular test of each team's defensive skills. Marquette is considered a step quicker than Georgetown in the backcourt, but is underrated in the frontcourt. Georgetown's front line gets all the attention, but the guards continue to come up big at key moments of the game. The winning team will be able to leverage both sides of the defensive equation, particularly on transition.
Here's a look at some game matchups:
Jonathan Wallace vs. Dominic James. James is in a two game slump of sorts, but don't expect the slump to last much longer--Wallace must be careful that James does not establish a run early in the game. Wallace's three point shot should recover in the (nearly) home environment of Verizon Center which will help keep James from playing too far off the ball.
Jessie Sapp vs. Jerel McNeal Probably Sapp's toughest test of the season, McNeal makes things happen. Sapp must ensure he does not get tagged with early fouls which play to McNeal's strength in the mid-court.
Dajuan Summers vs. Wesley Matthews. Summers continues to improve and his height could give Matthews trouble in this one. Matthews is second on the team in rebounding in Big East games and Summers must watch for Matthews heading to the basket.
Jeff Green vs. Lazar Haywood. Green has a considerable advantage on Haywood and Fitzgerald. Marquette will likely force a zone defense to isolate Green and keep him away from the passing routine.
Roy Hibbert vs. Ousmane Barro. If Roy comes to play, he should be able to neutralize Barro's abilities down low. Watch for Barro to play up front and open lanes for Matthews and McNeal.
GU bench vs. MU bench. The starting five for Marquette averages as much as 80% of the team's offensive output. Dan Fitzgerald and David Cubillan have provided valuable minutes as reserves, with Cubillan becoming the team's preferred option from outside. Outside of these two, however, the MU bench does not get much time and with only two different players having fouled out in Big East games to date, they have not had to go deep on the bench. The Hoyas should go four deep in this one, with Rivers, Ewing, Macklin and a couple of defensive stops from Tyler Crawford giving the Hoya bench an advantage.
Keys to the game:
1. The Inside Game If Marquette is to prevail, their ability to attack the middle of the Hoya defense will prove key, and they cannot afford a clinic from Hibbert and Green on Georgetown's end. Georgetown's size and bulk give the Hoyas an edge in this one.
2. Free Throws. Outside of Matthews, Marquette's free throws have been inconsistent and need to improve if they are to stay close late.
3. "Eight To Four." The time period in the second half between the eight minute and four minute time outs may well decide the game. Neither team gives up leads and the one that owns the lead heading into the stretch will be touch to catch.
For Marquette to win, the guards get their points while Matthews and Barro dominate inside. If Georgetown can shut down McNeal or James and control the inside lanes, it wins the game and with it, a major statement heading into the stretch run of Big East play. The timing of the game amidst the 100th anniversary weekend could not be a better backdrop for the biggest game of the year...at least for two more days before West Virginia comes to town. Every game in the Big East is a big game now.
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| Georgetown (17-5) |
Coach: John Thompson III
(Princeton '88)
3rd season, 59-28
Career: 127-70
AP #23; RPI: 37 |
Expected Starters
(Statistics as of Feb. 6) |
| Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
| Jonathan Wallace |
6-1 |
11.5 |
| Jessie Sapp |
6-2 |
8.9 |
| Dajuan Summers |
6-8 |
8.7 |
| Jeff Green |
6-8 |
12.4 |
| Roy Hibbert |
7-2 |
12.3 |
| Team Stats: |
| Points/Game: |
69.0 |
| Points Allowed |
55.8 |
| FG Shooting: |
52.4 |
| FG Defense: |
39.8 |
| 3FG Shooting: |
38.3 |
| FT Shooting: |
70.0 |
| Rebounds/Game |
32.1 |
| Assists/Game |
14.4 |
| Turnovers/Game |
14.2 |
| Last 5 Games (5-0) |
01/19: GU 74, S. Hall 58
01/24: GU 66, DePaul 52
01/27: GU 82, Cinc 67
02/01: GU 72, SJ 48
02/07: GU 73, Lvl. 65
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