• Marquette cruises in win over Rutgers

    Buzz Williams' Marquette Golden Eagles exploded out of the gates on Wednesday, jumping out to a 21-6 lead, something that hasn't been happening too often. MU started the game 8-9 from the floor, and also hit their first four 3 point shots. "We really wanted to jump out to that kind of a start because of the way we had started the last few games. There's no reason why it has been happening, but we wanted it to change," said Jae Crowder.

    Marquette eventually allowed Rutgers back into the mix as the Scarlet Knights closed the gap to four just after the 8:00 minute media timeout, but it was apparent the Golden Eagles heard Buzz Williams loud and clear in that huddle and they closed out the half on a 13-6 run. Darius Johnson Odom had 19 points heading into the locker room.

    In the second half it was all Marquette, led by senior Big East Player of the year candidates Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson Odom. Crowder finished the game with 27 points and Johnson Odom put up 21. The dynamic duo was on fire all night, and at times they looked like they could do whatever they wanted.

    "Jae is playing at a very high clip," Williams said. "His efficiency numbers are staggering. He has higher efficiency numbers than any other player since I have been here."

    Not only did the Golden Eagles applied intense pressure defense all night, they did it to perfection. Marquette forced 24 turnovers while only committing 10 fouls. Rutgers only went to the free throw line twice the entire game, going 3-3 from the line. "They are a very good team. There is a reason they are ranked #10 in the country. Jae Crowder and DJO are experienced seniors, and we are a very young team," said Rutgers coach Mike Rice.

    Notes:

    • Marquette is undefeated in all six games where Crowder & Johnson Odom have both scored over 20 points.


    • Crowder is 87 points away from the 1,000 mark, if he gets 87 more he will be the 44th player in MU history to hit that number, something especially impressive being that he has only been at MU for 2 years.


    • Jamil Wilson has recorded a blocked shot in 12 straight games.


    • All nine players that suited up tonight scored in the game.


    • Buzz' stat: Under Buzz, MU is 68-19 when winning the opening tip.


    ESPN Highlights:




    Box Score:
    Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Players MIN FG 3PT FT OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
    Gilvydas Biruta 21 6-9 0-1 0-0 2 4 1 2 1 3 3 12
    Dane Miller 27 5-12 0-2 0-0 2 6 2 0 0 3 1 10
    Eli Carter 31 4-10 1-4 2-2 2 4 4 1 0 5 4 11
    Myles Mack 25 4-10 1-4 0-0 1 2 2 1 0 1 2 9
    Jerome Seagears 23 5-7 3-3 1-1 0 0 1 1 0 5 2 14
    Charlie Rigoglioso
    2 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Mike Kuhn 2 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Austin Johnson 12 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 3 2 1 0 1 1 2
    Mike Poole 20 0-8 0-1 0-0 3 5 2 2 0 2 3 0
    Kadeem Jack 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
    Malick Kone 11 2-2 1-1 0-0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 5
    Greg Lewis 2 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Derrick Randall 16 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2
    TOTALS 28-66 6-17 3-3 14 29 15 8 2 21 18 65
    42.4% 35.3% 100.0%
    Marquette Golden Eagles
    Players MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
    Jamil Wilson 28 3-3 0-0 1-2 0 3 3 3 3 2 3 7
    Jae Crowder 36 11-14 2-5 3-5 2 7 4 4 3 2 3 27
    Junior Cadougan 28 4-7 0-0 1-1 0 2 4 2 0 3 1 9
    Darius Johnson-Odom 34 8-15 3-7 2-2 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 21
    Vander Blue 30 2-10 0-3 6-8 3 4 3 1 1 3 1 10
    Jamail Jones 6 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
    Juan Anderson 10 0-1 0-0 2-2 2 2 0 2 1 0 0 2
    Todd Mayo 17 1-4 0-1 1-2 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 3
    Derrick Wilson 11 0-1 0-0 1-2 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 1
    30-56 5-16 17-24 9 24 18 13 8 14 10 82
    53.6% 31.3% 70.8%
    Technicals: None
    Officials: Brian O'Connell, Tony Greene, Sean Corbin
    Attendance: 14,807