Marquette gets tested by Washington offense

The Marquette Golden Eagles are off to the start that college basketball experts predicted. They have a fast paced offense that can score both inside and out, and are currently ranked 9th in division 1 basketball with a .509 shooting percentage. They passed their first legitimate test of the year on Saturday when they took down a Wisconsin team that was ranked 7th in the nation, and has a defense that can be stifling. Marquette will have no time to celebrate that huge win as they face a Washington Huskies team that has shown their ability to light-it-up offensively through their first 6 games.

The Huskies may have 2 losses on the year, but they’ll always have a chance to keep games close with the perimeter shooting that they’ve displayed thus far. Washington’s trio of big guards accounts for more than half of the teams points per game. C.J. Wilcox, Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten are all 6’5” or taller, and have the skill set to take the ball to the hole or score from the outside. Their size advantage will make it tough for the Marquette guards to get to the basket or shoot over, and could make this game far closer than expected.

NCAA basketball handicappers have set the line for this game at the Golden Eagles -6, but Washington has the potential to hand Marquette their first loss of the season. Marquette may be undefeated, but they still have yet to totally prove themselves. A win over a tough Badgers defense was impressive, but outside of that win they haven’t faced anyone worthy of being considered a test.

Darius Johnson-Odom has taken over this offense in his senior season. Odom has steadily improved his numbers over the course of his college career, and is now trying to show NBA scouts that he’s worthy of being drafted. What Odom is to this team from the perimeter, Jae Crowder is to the interior. Crowder and Odom combine for almost 36 points per game, and will be key in keeping this team in the hunt for the Big East title. With Syracuse, Louisville and Connecticut all ranked ahead of Marquette, it will take a huge season to over-take any if all of them to secure the regular season conference title, but the Golden Eagles believe that they can.

Tune in Tuesday night as Marquette gets tested by a scrappy Washington team that is eager to get a big win to jump start their season.

 

Related posts:

1. Big East Madness: Marquette makes 11 with Win
2. Washington St & Oklahoma St Square off in NIT
3. Nebraska & Washington meet again in Holiday Bowl
4. Jurrjens looks for 13th Win against Washington
5. 2010 NFL Predictions: Washington Redskins

Comments