• Marquette Set to Take on Wisconsin

    By: Steve Luebke
    Special to BrewCityBall.com



    Marquette Wisconsin Game Notes 2018


    125th meeting between the schools. Wisconsin holds the edge in the series 67-57. Wisconsin is the most played opponent for Marquette followed by Notre Dame with 118 games. Marquette is the most common played non-conference opponent for Wisconsin.

    In the last 20 meeting, UW leads the series 12-8. The teams have split the last 10 meetings.

    Last meeting MU was victorious at the Kohl Center 82-63.

    The last time Marquette won back to back games in the series was 2011-2012.

    NOT A GOOD SIGN… WI won first matchup at the Bradley Center in 1988. The following year, the Badgers won the first meeting at the Kohl Center.

    HISTORY CAN BE CRUEL… Wisconsin has won 7 of the last 8 times that it has come into the meeting with Marquette ranked above 20 in the AP Top 25 poll.
    Little Solace for Marquette fans…Marquette won that last matchup at the Fieldhouse.
    Both coaches are .500 in this series. Coach Wojo is 2-2 all-time vs. WI and Coach Gard is 1-1.

    STREAKING? Marquette’s Longest winning streak in the series is 15…1969 to 1978
    Wisconsin’s Longest winning streak in the series is 7…1947-1951

    You Decide…Is this good or bad?
    Marquette is 119-197 (.376) all time when playing an opponent in the AP top 25
    Wisconsin is 142-289 (.329) all time when playing an opponent in the AP top 25
    [MU is 45-122 (269) all time vs. AP Top 10]

    Efficiency Numbers

    Wisconsin Offensive Efficiency 1.097 (47th)
    Defensive Efficiency 0.912 (51st)

    Marquette Offensive Efficiency 1.024 (150th)
    Defensive Efficiency 0.893 (32nd)

    What a difference a TRICE makes. Last week, K-State’s Austin Trice brought a 25% Free Throw proficiency to the Fiserv Forum. This week, Wisconsin’s D’Mitrik Trice brings a 60% hit rate from 3 point range.

    My keys to the game...

    For MU… get Wisconsin into foul trouble…this Wisconsin team is deeper than the past two years, but if Happ, Trice, or Davison get saddled with foul trouble there is a drop off in talent offensively. Limit turnovers…averaging 15.1 turnovers a game does not bode well for conference play and late season success. MU will need to limit the turnovers to 12 or less. Out rebound WI.

    For WI… stay out of foul trouble…see above. Stop Markus Howard. Howard is big time player who has played well in big games. If Howard goes off and scores 25 plus, it will be tough for the Badgers to take a victory out of the Fiserv Forum. Coach Gard will likely have 3 different players defend Howard. This will be important part of the game to watch. Continue to shoot high percentage from 3 point range.

    This is a very even match up. Wisconsin is talented (hurts to say, but it is the truth). Marquette’s defense has improved over last year, but Wisconsin’s offense is a challenge to guard. Marquette cannot lose players in space. You have to double Happ in the post (protect the basket and guard passing lanes), but you must be aware of the player you are defending. Howard can score on all three levels and causes problems for Wisconsin. Plenty of juice going in to the game. First game at Fiserv Forum in this matchup. The place has been loud for lesser opponents this season, so I expect it to be at fever pitch. Wisconsin will come in with a huge chip on its shoulder to avenge last year’s embarrassing home loss.

    PREDICTION… If these teams were to play a 7 games series, I would give the Badgers the edge. Even though the game is being played in a NBA arena, winner takes all tomorrow. While history is a great teacher of future events, I have to go with Marquette 77, Wisconsin 73, as a Marquette role player steps up for the Golden Eagles. Also want to predict that tomorrow’s game will be considered one of the most memorable games played in the rivalry. Enjoy!