Preview
The best scoring offense in the Big East welcomes the best defense in Saturday's game at the Bradley Center, with a lot to play for on both sides of the ball.
Since dropping back to back games at Georgetown and at Syracuse in early January, Marquette had won 12 of 13 games until the #8-ranked Warriors fell behind badly at Cincinnati on Wednesday and never recovered. Two seniors drive the Marquette offense, but it's the other three that will make the biggest difference in this game.
Marquette's ascendancy starts in the backcourt, where the Warriors need a big game from Junior Cadougan at the point. With a team high 159 assists and averaging 5.7 assists per game in Big East play, Cadougan's effectiveness is essential to Marquette getting good opportunities inside. While he scored a season low two points versus the Hoyas in January, Cadougan averages just under six points per game overall, in part because of infrequent activity from behind the three point line (6-21 from three in Big East play). Cadougan is just 3-12 from the field over the last two games and will be expected to be more aggressive as a result.
Darius Johnson-Odom has been a force all season for MU, and should be considered a chief weapon for Coach Williams in this one. An All-Big East candidate, he provides the Warriors with good shooting (45.2%), capable three point potential (40.2%), and the ability to be a strong defensive presence on opposing shooters, where MU has held opponents in Big East play to just 32% from outside. DJO has scored in double figures in 28 of 29 games this season, and anything less would be a bad sign for MU in this one. It will be interesting to see whether the recent change in Georgetown's starting lineup could put 6-8 Otto Porter to limit the 6-2 Johnson-Odom's outside reach.
Small forward Vander Blue has struggled down the stretch, but can't be counted out. Blue is shooting just 8-31 in his last four games but his defense is even more valuable. Blue was held to two points in the Jan. 4 game with the Hoyas, and his 6-4 size will be at a disadvantage in man sets, but perhaps open opportunities for him in a zone setup. 6-4 Todd Mayo, who scored a season high 16 versus Georgetown, will also see time in the game.
Forward Jae Crowder has been impressive all season, and will be looking to pick up his game entering the post-season. The team leader in scoring, Crowder has largely run unopposed offensively, averaging 51% from the field, and is second on the team in three point shooting. Crowder leads the Warriors in rebounding with 10 double-doubles this season, including a 17 and 11 effort versus Cincinnati on Wednesday. Playing an average of 35 minutes a game, Crowder figures to be on the floor unless fouls are an issue.
Inside, the Warriors are vulnerable, with two of its big men (Chris Otule, Davante Gardner) out for the season with injuries. 6-7 Jamil Wilson has played well in the inside role for the Warriors, averaging nine points but only two rebounds, as Crowder is the primary rebounder. Wilson is the tallest remaining player for Marquette, which could cause problems if the Hoyas can utilize size inside.
Marquette enters the game a team that is strong offensively but is 12th in points allowed and 12th in rebounding due to its size. Cincinnati was able to get up early on Marquette, close down second chances, and ride the hot hand of JaQuon Parker, with 28 points and seven rebounds. A similar recipe would serve Georgetown well, but the Hoyas have to limit the ability of Cadougan, Blue, and Wilson to make the difference and get more production from Hollis Thompson, who has averaged just nine points a game over his last seven. For Marquette, Johnson-Odom and Crowder will get their share of points, but for the Hoyas to win, they must limit the other three.
Some keys to the game:
Keep Off The Line: Marquette is 20-1 this season when outshooting opponents from the free throw line, 1-4 when shooting less.
Height: Georgetown's starting five is taller than any member of the Marquette five. It's time to put that to GU's advantage.
Depth: Marquette can't go much beyond a seven man rotation because of inexperience and injury. Can Georgetown's freshmen rise to the challenge?
Georgetown has won four of its last five regular season finales, and they know what's at stake in the game and beyond it--momentum in March. Time is tight and games like this can make a difference in a week or two.
The best scoring offense in the Big East welcomes the best defense in Saturday's game at the Bradley Center, with a lot to play for on both sides of the ball.
Since dropping back to back games at Georgetown and at Syracuse in early January, Marquette had won 12 of 13 games until the #8-ranked Warriors fell behind badly at Cincinnati on Wednesday and never recovered. Two seniors drive the Marquette offense, but it's the other three that will make the biggest difference in this game.
Marquette's ascendancy starts in the backcourt, where the Warriors need a big game from Junior Cadougan at the point. With a team high 159 assists and averaging 5.7 assists per game in Big East play, Cadougan's effectiveness is essential to Marquette getting good opportunities inside. While he scored a season low two points versus the Hoyas in January, Cadougan averages just under six points per game overall, in part because of infrequent activity from behind the three point line (6-21 from three in Big East play). Cadougan is just 3-12 from the field over the last two games and will be expected to be more aggressive as a result.
Darius Johnson-Odom has been a force all season for MU, and should be considered a chief weapon for Coach Williams in this one. An All-Big East candidate, he provides the Warriors with good shooting (45.2%), capable three point potential (40.2%), and the ability to be a strong defensive presence on opposing shooters, where MU has held opponents in Big East play to just 32% from outside. DJO has scored in double figures in 28 of 29 games this season, and anything less would be a bad sign for MU in this one. It will be interesting to see whether the recent change in Georgetown's starting lineup could put 6-8 Otto Porter to limit the 6-2 Johnson-Odom's outside reach.
Small forward Vander Blue has struggled down the stretch, but can't be counted out. Blue is shooting just 8-31 in his last four games but his defense is even more valuable. Blue was held to two points in the Jan. 4 game with the Hoyas, and his 6-4 size will be at a disadvantage in man sets, but perhaps open opportunities for him in a zone setup. 6-4 Todd Mayo, who scored a season high 16 versus Georgetown, will also see time in the game.
Forward Jae Crowder has been impressive all season, and will be looking to pick up his game entering the post-season. The team leader in scoring, Crowder has largely run unopposed offensively, averaging 51% from the field, and is second on the team in three point shooting. Crowder leads the Warriors in rebounding with 10 double-doubles this season, including a 17 and 11 effort versus Cincinnati on Wednesday. Playing an average of 35 minutes a game, Crowder figures to be on the floor unless fouls are an issue.
Inside, the Warriors are vulnerable, with two of its big men (Chris Otule, Davante Gardner) out for the season with injuries. 6-7 Jamil Wilson has played well in the inside role for the Warriors, averaging nine points but only two rebounds, as Crowder is the primary rebounder. Wilson is the tallest remaining player for Marquette, which could cause problems if the Hoyas can utilize size inside.
Marquette enters the game a team that is strong offensively but is 12th in points allowed and 12th in rebounding due to its size. Cincinnati was able to get up early on Marquette, close down second chances, and ride the hot hand of JaQuon Parker, with 28 points and seven rebounds. A similar recipe would serve Georgetown well, but the Hoyas have to limit the ability of Cadougan, Blue, and Wilson to make the difference and get more production from Hollis Thompson, who has averaged just nine points a game over his last seven. For Marquette, Johnson-Odom and Crowder will get their share of points, but for the Hoyas to win, they must limit the other three.
Some keys to the game:
Keep Off The Line: Marquette is 20-1 this season when outshooting opponents from the free throw line, 1-4 when shooting less.
Height: Georgetown's starting five is taller than any member of the Marquette five. It's time to put that to GU's advantage.
Depth: Marquette can't go much beyond a seven man rotation because of inexperience and injury. Can Georgetown's freshmen rise to the challenge?
Georgetown has won four of its last five regular season finales, and they know what's at stake in the game and beyond it--momentum in March. Time is tight and games like this can make a difference in a week or two.
