• Marquette vs Southern Preview

    By: Steve Luebke
    Special to BrewCityBall.com


    Southern Jaguars
    1-10 336th in Sagarin rating
    Member of the SWAC

    Head Coach Sean Woods
    Played on the Kentucky Wildcat team affectionately known as the “Unforgettables”. Previously coached at Mississippi Valley State

    This is the second meeting. Marquette won 63-56 to open up the 2014-2015 season under then first year coach Buzz Williams.

    Efficiency Numbers (Kenpom)
    Southern Offensive Efficiency 97.2 (284th)
    Defensive Efficiency 114.8 (350th)
    Marquette Offensive Efficiency 112.8 (30th)
    Defensive Efficiency 95.6 (50th)

    As you can see by the numbers, this will be a blowout. But here are a couple things…
    Big East POW Award…Markus Howard was selected as the Big East Player of the week for the 3rd time this season.

    Howard averaged 35.5 ppg, while shooting 13 for 19 from 3 point land and going a perfect 16-16 from the charity strip. He leads the Big East in scoring at 25 ppg.

    Speaking of charity…Marquette is shooting 76.5% from the free throw line this season. The all time Marquette record for FT % for a season is 80.5%, set just last season. In 2016-2017 MU shot 78.1% from the stripe.

    Defending the Rack…Marquette has 59 blocked shots this season. Theo John leads the way with 27 (4.9/game). Marquette’s all time and season block leader is Jim McIlvaine with 399 all time and 142 in the 1993-1994 season. Both records that are likely to never be broken.

    Numbers…Entering the last non-conference game of the year Marquette is average 79.6 ppg while allowing opponents 68.2 ppg. MU has turned the ball over 179 times this season equating to 14.9 per game.

    Here is a very good article previewing the Big East as conference play begins:
    https://collegebasketball.nbcsports....he-conference/

    Happy New Year!