Pitt @ Marquette

[Coach_K]

Do you think the line will move much from 5?

I think 1 of two things will happen...it will be close or pitt will win outright. Unless marquette shoots unreal from threes like over 45% they should have a tough time. No one can hang with Blair (I found this out when they unfortunately beat Duke) and I think with Fields back he will look to stand out and play a good game. I'm leaning toward Pitt to keep it close.

Let me know what you think.

GLTA

 

[Mr. Poon]

I don't think Fields will be too much of an impact in his first game back. Marquette has been playing good D with the exception of the ND and Ville lapses. I think they can get it done in front of a rocking Bradley Center tonight. It won't be a blowout and probably close throughout, but I like the Golden Eagles in this one.

I'm hoping the Total gets bet up another point or so and then I'll be taking the Under too. Think the defense gets displayed by both squads tonight.

 

[Coach_K]

Mbakwe to play

Mbakwe to play

just read a story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stating star frosh will play tonight.



MU lifts redshirt on Mbakwe; will play tonight
By Todd Rosiak
Friday, Feb 15 2008, 03:17 PM
In a surprising and somewhat unexpected move, the Marquette Golden Eagles have lifted the redshirt on freshman forward Trevor Mbakwe, and plan to make him available tonight for their game against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Mbakwe, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward, had been out since injuring his left knee on Nov. 1 and subsequently undergoing what was believed to be season-ending surgery.

Mbakwe's rehabilitation had been ahead of schedule, however, and he had working out extensively with the team in recent weeks since receiving medical clearance to do so.

"It got to the point that my rehab workouts were harder than actually practicing and playing," Mbakwe said in a release. "I'm glad I was finally allowed to test the knee and to be cleared. Waiting has been really hard but I knew all along that at some point I was going to be able to come back and help our team this season."

The move also signals how desperately coach Tom Crean believes MU needs more consistent production on the interior. Rebounding and defense in the paint have been two major question marks for much of the season.

"Trevor made it clear to us early in the rehabilitation process his desire to return this season and we told him that the possibility to return would be a decision made by our medical staff," said Crean. "He worked extremely hard throughout his rehabilitation and our team is excited to have him back."

By lifting the redshirt, Mbakwe will only have the remainder of the season for freshman eligibility purposes. He'll begin next season as a sophomore.