It’s going to be a super Sunday in the Yum Center when the #25 Marquette Golden Eagles (15-4, 6-1 Big East) come to town to face our #12 Louisville Cardinals (17-4, 5-3 Big East). This series began in 1951 and the programs have met at least once each year since 1996. Our Cards have claimed seven of the last nine outings, including last year’s quarterfinal contest (84-71) in the Big East Conference Championship. These teams have faced off a total of 78 times in program history, with the Cardinals owning a 42-26 overall advantage.

Marquette lost a lot of production last season but have plenty of depth at the guard position, and intriguing players all over the floor. It’s a really interesting, and versatile team. Somehow Buzz Williams always finds a way for his team to function. The Golden Eagles apply full-court pressure and play a fast-paced brand of basketball. They play hard and do most things well, but they don’t do anything great and can be erratic at times on both ends of the floor. They are ranked in the top 5 in several Big East categories 3rd in scoring offense 69.6pg, 4th in scoring margin at +6.0, 5th in field goal percentage 43.7%pg, 3rd in field goal percentage defense 38.4%pg, 4th in rebounding offense at 36.4, 3rd in rebounding defense at 31.3, 1st in rebounding margin at +5.1, 5th in blocked shots at 4.3pg, 3rd in assist/turnover ratio at 1.3 and 3rd in defensive rebounding at 26.3. Year after year this team scores points, and their defense has ranged from average to good. This team is ranked nationally 108th in points per game at 70.1, 156th in rebounding per game at 35.6, 63rd in assist per game at 14.9 and 48th on field goal percentage at 46.3%. Kenpom has their adj efficiency on offense at 112.0 ranked 12th and their adj efficiency on defense at 92.9 ranked 67th. He has them ranked 25th overall. They are tied for first place in the Big East and their current RPI is 17. A win over the Golden Eagles on Sunday would give the Cards their highest value win of the year. They are currently 0-2 vs RPI top 25.

In-conference offense: 3pt-26.1%, 2pt-43.7%. FT-72.9%
In-conference defense: Turnovers-13.3pg, Steals-7.1pg, Blocks-3.8

Coach Buzz Williams: “I am not sure we have a go-to guy, but I do think as a unit, we have a variety of ways we can function.”

The Golden Eagle Players:

-Projected Starters

Juan Anderson SOPH (3.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg) 6-6 F played in 24 games last season, underwent shoulder surgery in May. He can use his lanky frame to defend bigger wings and smaller post players, allowing Buzz the freedom he loves with switchable defenders. His FG%-41.4%, 3pt%-36%, FT%-54.2%

Chris Otule SR (4.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.1 apg) 6-11 C is a true center who is counted on this season for rebounding, shot blocking and post defense. His FG%-60%, FT%-50% and he has 57 rebounds with 17 blocked shots on the season.

Junior Cadougan SR (8.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.3 apg) 6-1 G has logged a lot of possessions as Marquette’s pass-always point guard, and he filled that role as the starter last year. He doesn’t look for his own shot, but he finds his teammates in the best possible spot while taking care of the basketball. He is 12th in the Big East in assist at 3.9 a game, 4th in assist/turnover ratio. His FG%-43.5%, 3pt%-20%, FT%-76%

Trent Lockett SR (7.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.7 apg) 6-5 G played three seasons at Arizona State before returning closer to home to finish his career in Milwaukee. In his last season as a Sun Devil he was his team’s leading scorer and had a great year shooting the ball. His FG%-38.1%, 3pt%-28.6%, FT%-73.7%

Vander Blue JR (14.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.8 apg) 6-4 G has continued to progress throughout his career on both ends of the floor. And he is having a breakout season this year. He had 30 points in the last game against USF and has reached double-figures in nine straight games plus 12 of last 13. He is 7th in the Big East in scoring. His FG%-45.3%, 3pt%-32.4%, FT%-72.2%

-Bench

Jamil Wilson JR (8.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.6 apg) 6-7 F an athletic small forward who has made strides with the team since transferring from Oregon after his freshman season. The team leader in blocked shots last season and has 16 this season. His FG%-48.4%, 3pt%-36.6%, FT%-80.6%

Jake Thomas JR (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.7 apg) 6-3 G sat out last year after transferring from South Dakota and has a decent perimeter game. His FG%-31.6%, 3pt%-28.1%, FT%-71%

Davante Gardner JR (12.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.8 apg) the team’s top returning scorer. He does the job of carrying the load inside. He is 19th in the Big East in scoring, 12th in rebounding, 5th in field goal percentage, 4th in free-throw percentage and 10th in blocked shots. His FG%-57.7%, FT%-84.8%

Todd Mayo SOPH (6.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.1 apg) 6-3 G the brother of NBA star O.J. Mayo. Mayo returns as the team’s most prolific 3-point marksman. His FG%-35.1%, 3pt-30.4%, FT-77.8%

Derrick Wilson SOPH (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.0 apg) 6-1 G he gets his work done on the defensive end of the floor when he is in the game. He had a higher ratio of steals to minutes played than anyone on the team last season except Crowder. He has 14 steals this season in 278 minutes played. His FG%-35.1%, 3pt%-25%, FT-47.1%

Buzz Williams has a system of high-pressure defense and high-octane offense where baskets are scored in transition and everyone contributes. Does this sound familiar? Our Cards match up very well with the Golden Eagles and always have because their styles of play are so similar. I think our players thrive in these types of games. In an up-tempo, faster game with chaotic full-court pressure, Siva should thrive. His speed and defensive ability allow him to have an impact on a game without scoring. I also expect Russ to be in full throttle. Dieng and Behanan should have big games in this one and I look for Blackshear to play well in his return game back. This is a big mid-season match-up and I expect our Cards to win in a very exciting game.

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 80 Marquette 73