Game 25: Marquette University (16-9)
February 16, 8:00 pm (EST)
Milwaukee, WI
Fiserv Forum (17,350)
Tickets: Available
Media:
TV: Fox Sports 2
GU Radio: WJFK-106.7
MU Radio: WKTI-94.5
About the Warriors:
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Enrollment: 8,500
Conference: Big East
2020-21 Record: 13-14
Record vs. Georgetown: 18-14
Media Notes: Click Here
Meet The Coach:
Shaka Smart
(Kenyon '00)
1st season, 16-9
Career: 288-151
|
|
Expected Starters |
Name |
Ht. |
Pts. |
Tyler Kolek |
6-3 |
7.4 |
Darrell Morsell |
6-4 |
13.1 |
O-M Prosper |
6-8 |
6.6 |
Justin Lewis |
6-7 |
17.0 |
Kur Kueth |
6-10 |
5.1 |
|
Team Stats: |
Points/Game: |
74.2 |
Points Allowed: |
70.0 |
FG Shooting: |
45.1 |
FG Defense |
40.6 |
3FG Shooting: |
35.3 |
FT Shooting: |
74.2 |
Rebounds/Game |
35.0 |
Assists/Game |
16.4 |
Turnovers/Game |
12.3 |
|
Last 5 Games (2-3) |
01/26: MU 73, Seton Hall 63
01/30: Providence 65, MU 63
02/02: MU 83, Villanova 73
02/08: UConn 80, MU 72
02/12: Butler 85, MU 79
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Preview
Monday's night's comeback with Creighton may have been Georgetown's best hope at a win this week through a challenging five day road stretch, with three road games. In upcoming road games at Marquette and Villanova, Georgetown is a combined 2-15 since 2013.
For Marquette, Wednesday's game is vital for their NCAA standing. Having dropped three of its last four, all on the road, the Warriors (16-9) need three wins down the stretch to set themselves up for a run in March. A Quad 4 loss to the Hoyas is a worst-case scenario given a softer schedule to end Big East play, with remaining games against Butler, DePaul, and St. John's.
Home is where the heart is, however. Despite its rocky record on the road, Marquette has won its last five at home and is averaging 81 points a game at Fiserv Forum in its last five games versus just 68 away from Milwaukee in conference play. In games Georgetown has allowed 80 or more points this season, they're 0-10.
In the first meeting between the schools this season, George Mason transfer Tyler Kolek was 6 for 7 from the floor with seven assists. His scoring has picked up over the last four games and he is coming off a 17 point effort versus Butler. If Kolek heats up, Georgetown's chances go from bad to worse, which is why UConn's defense held him to 1-7 and escaped with a win last week.
The good thing for Marquette is that head coach Shaka Smart can look to any of four different players to carry the scoring load, but one name rises to the forefront.
Justin Lewis is enjoying an all-conference season for the Warriors, and he enters Wednesday's game with 11 consecutive games of 10 or more points with a season-high 33 versus Seton Hall. Although he had no threes in last month's game at Capital One Arena, Lewis has hit four or more threes in five of his last seven games, and Georgetown has no good defensive answers for his height and mobility.
Where has Marquette struggled? For one, they have given up a lot of threes, including 10 to Villanova and 13 to Butler. The Warriors are also struggling on rebounding, ranking 10th of 11 in both offensive and defensive rebounds. But as befits a team with the best shooting percentage in the conference, if GU does not apply consistent defense, the Warriors will punish the Hoyas as a result, which was the case in the 92-64 loss last month. If the Hoyas give a 30+ minute effort like they did in the last eight minutes versus against Creighton, they can compete. If not, this won't be close.
Other keys to the game:
1. Ball Movement: Marquette is not afraid of the next pass, something that Georgetown struggled to contain in conference play.
2. Protect The Paint: Both teams struggle offensively inside but Kuath (70 blocks this season) will challenge the Hoyas down low. Will the Hoyas respond in kind, or go small?
3. Defending Justin Lewis: Since a 10 point game versus the Hoyas on Jan. 7, Lewis is averaging just under 20 points a game in his last nine. Expect Lewis to get 14 to 16 shot attempts in this game.
4. Too Close For Comfort: Marquette is 5-1 in games decided by five points or less. However, only one of GU's last 14 have been as close.