Wisconsin basketball has expectedly cruised through the first few games of the 2020-2021 season. On Friday afternoon at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the Badgers get their first major test of the year.
Wisconsin and Marquette renew their rivalry, with UW looking for their fourth straight win of the year and the Golden Eagles trying to bounce back from their first loss. So, who are the 2020-2021 Marquette Golden Eagles?
This version of Marquette basketball was always going to be a stark contrast from what they have been for the past few years. The reason? Losing one of the highest-usage players in all of college basketball with Markus Howard graduating and heading to the Denver Nuggets on a two-way contract.
While opening the season in impressive fashion with a pair of non-conference blowout wins over Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Eastern Illinois, two teams that Wisconsin has also played in the early going, the Golden Eagles had an abysmal second half in their 70-62 loss against Oklahoma State on Tuesday. Head coach Steve Wojciechowski and crew could not solve an athletic matchup zone from the Cowboys in the second frame after holding a three-point lead at half.
The scoring has been more balanced than in recent years, with nearly four players averaging double figures through three games. Senior guard Koby McEwen can stroke it, and after a down junior campaign has started hot this year leading the way at 15.7 points per game. True freshman and 2020 four-star signee Dawson Garcia has already made an impact as a skilled big who can stretch the floor.
Ohio State transfer D.J. Carton is someone that Marquette may need more offense out of to pull off a marquee win against the Badgers. At times, such as in the second half against Oklahoma State, this team will struggle to score and have to rely on their defense to pick them up.
One thing this team has is the ability to bang with Wisconsin’s bigs on the interior. Going up against Theo John and Jamal Cain will be the first test to pass for Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers after facing front lines that they could easily dominate.
Overall, expect a low scoring game on Friday and one where Marquette may fall into a scoring lull against one of the best defenses in college basketball.