Jan. 31, 2003

Game Data

Game Date - Feb. 1, 2003

Site - Cincinnati, Ohio * Shoemaker Center (13,176)

Tipoff - 3:05 p.m. CST

Radio - Marquette Radio Network (Steve "The Homer" True, Play-by-Play; George Thompson, Analysis) -- website: www.newstalk1130.com

Television - ESPN (Bob Carpenter, Play-by-Play; Jimmy Dykes, Analysis)

Probable Marquette Starters (subject to change)

G #34 - Travis Diener (So., 6-1, 165, Fond du Lac, Wis.) 10.5 ppg; 3.2 rpg, 6.11 apg --No. 2 in C-USA in assists; Double-figure scorer in 11 games

G #3 - Dwyane Wade (Jr., 6-5, 210, Robbins, Ill.) 23.2 ppg; 5.3 rpg; 3.88 apg; 2.23 spg -- C-USA leading scorer -- has five straight and 13 games of 20 or more points this year -- Leads team and is 3rd among C-USA players in steals

F #5 - Scott Merritt (Jr., 6-10, 245, Wauwatosa, Wis.) 9.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg -- No. 2 on squad in rebounds -- has five contest of double-digit boards

F #1 - Todd Townsend (So., 6-7, 215, Chicago, Ill.) 7.5 ppg; 2.8 rpg -- No. 2 on squad with 27 treys and has three-point field goals in his last nine outings

F #55 - Robert Jackson (Sr., 6-10, 260, Milwaukee, Wis.) 15.4 ppg; 7.3 rpg -- Shooting team-high 58.2 percent from floor, No. 2 among C-USA players

Probable Cincinnati Starters (subject to change)

F # 13 - Leonard Stokes (Sr., 6-6, 200, 16.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

F # 54 - Jason Maxiell (So., 6-7, 235, 11.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

C # 24 - Rod Flowers (Jr., 6-8, 235, 3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg) or

# 42 - Kareem Johnson (Jr., 6-7, 250, 2.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

G # 2 - Field Williams (Jr., 6-3, 185, 12.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 apg)

G #20 - Taron Barker (Sr., 6-1, 200, 6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.7 apg)

Series Notes - Cincinnati holds a 21-13 margin in the all-time series that started during the 1973-74 season. Last year, Marquette captured the first of three meetings, 74-60 at Milwaukee, before Cincinnati claimed a 63-62 decision at the Shoemaker Center. In the C-USA Tournament Championship game held at the Firstar Center in Cincinnati, the Bearcats emerged with a 77-63 victory. Saturday's game will be the first of two regular-season meetings with the clubs tangling again on Mar. 8 at the Bradley Center.

Statistical Comparison

			Marquette		Cincinnati
Scoring Avg.	        79.9 ppg		67.5 ppg
Scoring Def.		66.0 ppg		57.6 ppg
Scoring Margin	        +13.9 ppg		+9.9
Rebounding Avg.	        36.6 rpg		35.8 rpg
Reb. Margin		+5.5			+2.5
FG%			50.1%			42.0%
Opp FG%		        40.5%			39.0%
3 Pt. FG%		37.7%			36.0%
FT%			75.3%			67.7%

Game Info

The Marquette basketball team, winners of its last six contests, opens the month of February with a road date against defending C-USA champion Cincinnati. The Shoemkaer Center on the UC campus will be the site of the 35th meeting between the two schools and tipoff is slated for 3:05 p.m. (CST).

The MU-UC game can be seen on ESPN. Handling the play-by-play will be Bob Carpenter while Jimmy Dykes provides commentary.

The Records

Marquette, ranked 16th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll and 18th by the Associated Press, takes a 14-3 overall record (6-1 C-USA) into the Cincinnati game. In its most recent performance, Marquette posted an 80-48 win at home against East Carolina on Wednesday avenging the team's lone loss in league play.

In that game, the Golden Eagles led from start to finish in bringing home the program's 26th straight win on their home court. Marquette used an 18-6 run over the last 5:39 of the first half in taking a 41-23 advantage into the locker room at halftime. MU connected on 50 percent of its field goal opportunities during the first 20 minutes of play while holding the Pirates to 36.0 percent.

In the second half, Marquette knocked down 51.6 percent from the field and built as much as a 38-point lead at one point. For the game, the Golden Eagles finished with a 50.8 percent (32-of-63) effort from the floor while holding ECU to 34.7 percent (17-of-49). Marquette enjoyed a 35-29 edge on the glass and turned the ball over just eight times compared to the Pirates' 16 miscues.

Junior guard Dwyane Wade paced the offensive attack with 25 points, his fifth straight effort of 20 or more points, hitting 10-of-15 from the floor and five-of-six from the foul line. Senior Robert Jackson, who had a 15-game double-figure scoring streak snapped in the DePaul game, got back into the double-digit column with 16 points. Sophomore Todd Townsend continued his improved offensive play and totaled 13 points. Junior Scott Merritt turned in a big game on the boards and snagged a game-high 13 rebounds, tying his career best.

Cincinnati hosts Marquette with an overall record of 13-4 and also stands 6-1 in C-USA action. The Bearcats saw an eight-game win streak come to an end when they dropped a 56-52 decision at DePaul this past Wednesday.

Townsend Finding The Mark

Todd Townsend, a double-figure scorer in his last two games and in five during the year, has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in his last five games and has raised his season average to 52.4 percent (43-of-82). In his last five games, the 6-foot-7 Townsend has hit 16-of-27 from the field (.592) including 10-of-19 (.526) from three-point range. Through games played Jan. 30, Townsend is No. 3 among C-USA players with a 48.2 percentage mark from three-point range.

Diener Is Dishing

Travis Diener, No. 2 among C-USA players in assists (6.12 apg), also holds down the No. 2 spot in assist/turnover ratio (+2.97). Against East Carolina, Diener doled out six assists and had no turnovers in 28 minutes of action. In the previous meeting against ECU (Dec. 30) Diener did not have a turnover while playing all 40 minutes. His 104 assists places him in a ninth-place tie on the school's seasonal list for sophomores.

Marquette Head Coach Tom Crean

Tom Crean is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Golden Eagles' program. Named the 2001-02 C-USA Coach of the Year, the first MU coach to be afforded that honor, Crean guided Marquette to an overall record of 26-7 including a 13-3 ledger in C-USA play, the most wins by a MU team in league action. In addition, Crean was named the District 11 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the District V Coach of The Year by the USBWA.

In 2000-01, he directed the program to a record of 15-14 including a 9-7 mark in C-USA play. The nine wins in the conference then marked the most wins by a Marquette team in C-USA since 1996-97.

In his initial year, Crean (Central Michigan, '89) guided Marquette to an overall record of 15-14 that included a berth to the NIT, the school's 13th appearance in that tournament. In C-USA play, Crean led MU to an 8-8 record. In games played in Milwaukee, Crean stands 47-10 (45-8 at the Bradley Center, 2-2 at the U.S. Cellular Arena). He is 3-4 all-time vs. Cincinnati Prior to being named the school's head coach on March 30, 1999, he served as an assistant for 10 seasons. His coaching resumé includes stops at Michigan State (1989-90), Western Kentucky (1990-94), Pittsburgh (1994-95) and again at Michigan State (1995-99).

Tom Crean's Marquette Record 70-38/4th season Tom Crean's Career Record 70-38/4th season

Jackson Making An Impact

Senior Robert Jackson has made a significant impact for Marquette this season and checks into the Cincinnati affair second on the squad in scoring (15.4 ppg) and first in rebounding (7.3 rpg). The 6-foot-10 Jackson picked up 16 points vs. East Carolina on this past Wednesday, his 16th game of double-figure scoring this year. He has pulled down a team-high 51 offensive rebounds and his 3.00 offensive rebounds per-game average is good for a fifth-place tie 6 in C-USA (through Jan. 30). Finally, his team-high 58.2 field goal percentage holds down the the No. 2 spot among C-USA players (through Jan. 30).

More Notes From East Carolina

Marquette's 80 points marked the ninth time this season it had scored 80 or more points in a game, matching last year's total over 33 contests ... The Golden Eagles turned the ball over a season-low eight times against the Pirates ... MU's nine three-pointers represented a season high ... MU's 50.8 percent mark from the field marked the seventh time in 10 home games and eighth time overall this year that it had reached or surpassed that figure ... ECU's 34.7 field goal percentage was the third-lowest opponent total this year ... ECU shot 18.2 percent from three-point range, raising Marquette's record to 4-0 this year when holding the opposition to 25 or less percent from beyond the arc, 14-0 since 2001-02.

40 A Magic Number On The Glass

Marquette has grabbed 40 or more rebounds in six games this year and shows a 5-1 won-lost ledger in those affairs, 23-4 during Coach Crean's tenure. Last year, MU posted a 6-0 record when registering 40 or more rebounds.

Cincinnati Head Coach Bob Huggins

Bob Huggins (West Virginia, '77) is in his 14th season as head coach of Cincinnati and takes a school record of 345-104 into Saturday's contest. In 22 seasons as a college head coach, Huggins has a career won-lost ledger of 513-176.

Wade An All-Around Threat

Dwyane Wade, who ranks first among C-USA players and ninth nationally in scoring (23.2 ppg), came through with a team-best 25 points against East Carolina, his 13th outing of 20 or more points this year. Career-wise, Wade has totaled 965 points in 49 games (19.7 ppg) and his 426 career points in C-USA action is good for sixth place on the school's list. While Wade's scoring exploits are impressive, he is No. 2 on the team and No. 8 in C-USA (through Jan. 30) in assists (3.76 apg), first on the team and third in the league (through Jan. 30) in steals (2.24 spg) and No. 2 on the club and 4th in the loop in field goal shooting (55.2%). In his last five games, Wade is averaging 24.4 points, 3.6 steals and shooting 57.5 percent (42-of-73) from the floor.

Odds and Ends

Dwyane Wade has scored in double figures in 47 of his 49 career games ... Wade has two double doubles this season and four in his career ... Marquette has allowed one opponent this year (Notre Dame) and just two of its last 40 foes to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor ... The Golden Eagles own a 29-4 record during Crean's tenure when shooting 50 percent or better from the floor (8-0 in '02-03, 12-0 in 2001-02) ... During its six-game win streak MU shows a 34.2-27.3 per-game edge in rebounding and is shooting 49.4 percent from the field vs. 40.0 percent for opponents ... MU has held 74 of its last 79 opponents to less than 50 percent from the floor ... MU stands 34-5 during Crean's stint as head coach when registering 15 or more assists (10-2 in '02-03, 11-0 last year) ... Marquette proved to be a strong second-half team last year, registering scoring advantages in 28 of 33 games, and has outscored 14 of 17 foes over the final 20 minutes this year ... Since last year, MU owns a 30-4 mark when finishing a game with the same or fewer number of turnovers than the opposition ... Marquette has outshot the opposition in 25 of 34 halves (opponents have shot better in one overtime stanza) ... Robert Jackson's 13-point, 10-rebound effort against Tulane was his third double double at Marquette and 17th of his college career ... In its 14 wins, MU holds a 37.1-28.7 edge in rebounding compared to a 34.0-42.3 disadvantage in its three setbacks ... The Golden Eagles are averaging 37.2 points in the first half of play and 42.6 points during the final 20 minutes of action/overtime ... Opponents are averaging 30.1 points during the opening 20 minutes and 35.9 in the second half/ot ... MU is 9-0 this year when shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range, 21-1 since last season ... Marquette has scored 50 or more points in a half on six occasions this year compared to four last year ... Opponents have attempted more three-point field goals than MU in 13 games ... Marquette is No. 1 among C-USA teams and 17th nationally (through Jan. 29) in free throw shooting with a 75.3 percent effort ... The Golden Eagles have shot 75 percent or better from the foul line in 11 of the last 14 games and the team is hitting at a 79.7 clip (114-of-143) during the six-game win streak. ... In its 14 wins, MU is shooting 38.8% from three-point range while holding foes to 30.7%.

Streaks & Last Time It Happened

Consecutive Games - Scott Merritt - 79

Consecutive Starts - Dwyane Wade - 37

Consecutive Double-Figure Scoring Games - Dwyane Wade - 5

Consecutive Games with a Three-Pointer - Todd Townsend - 9

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 30+ Points - Dwyane Wade (35) vs. Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 20+ Points - Dwyane Wade (25) vs. East Carolina - Jan. 29, 2003

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Rebounds - Scott Merritt (13) vs. East Carolina - Jan. 29, 2003

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 15+ Rebounds - Odartey Blankson (16) vs. Southern Miss - Feb. 9, 2002

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had Double-Double (Points-Rebounds) - Robert Jackson (13-10) vs. Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Assists - Travis Diener (12) vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Made 15 or More Free Throws - Brian Wardle (16) vs. Charlotte - Feb. 13, 1999

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Made 12 or More Free Throws - Dwyane Wade (13) vs. DePaul - Jan. 25, 2003

The Last Time a Marquette Team Had Five or Fewer Turnovers - (5) vs. Cincinnati - Mar. 10, 1996

The Last Time Marquette Shot 65% or Better From the Floor - (65.0%, 39-of-60) vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

The Last Time Marquette Shot 60% or Better From The Floor - (65.0%, 39-60) vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

The Last Time Marquette Shot 55% or Better From The Floor - (59.1%, 26-44) vs. Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003

The Last Time An Opponent Shot 60% or Better From the Floor - Tennessee (60.0%, 27-45) - Nov. 21, 2001

The Last Time An Opponent Shot 55% or Better From the Floor - Wisconsin (58.0%, 29-of-50) - Dec. 22, 2001

The Last Time Marquette Had 25 or more Assists in a Game - 26 vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003

The Last Time Marquette Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - 26 vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003

The Last Time an Opponent Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - Tulane (21) - Jan. 14, 2003

The Last Time An Opponent Scored 40+ points - Larry Hughes (40) - St. Louis - Jan. 24, 1998

The Last Time an Opponent Scored 30+ Points - Waitari Marsh (30) - Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003

The Last Time an Opponent Scored 20+ Points - Demon Brown (23) - Charlotte - Jan. 18, 2003

The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Rebounds - Brooks Hall (10) - Dayton - Jan. 4, 2003

The Last Time an Opponent Had 15+ Rebounds - Jamal Brown (16) - TCU - Jan. 23, 2002; Marlon Dumont (15) - TCU - Jan. 23, 2002

The Last Time an Opponent Had a Double-Double (Points-Rebounds) - Brooks Hall (13-12) - Dayton - Jan. 4, 2003

The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Assists - Chris Thomas (10) - Notre Dame - Dec. 2, 2002

The Last Time an Opponent Made 12 or More Free Throws - Vandarel Jones (12) - Southern Miss - Jan. 30, 2001

The Last Time A Marquette Opponent Had 5 or Fewer Turnovers - S. Florida (5) - Feb. 22, 1998

The Last Time Marquette Did Not Make A Three-Point Field Goal - vs. Wisconsin - Dec. 23, 2000

The Last Time An Opponent Did Not Make A Three-Point Field Goal - Minnesota - Nov. 23, 1999

Playing With The Lead

During Crean's stay at Marquette, the Golden Eagles have been tough to beat when leading at halftime. Marquette stands 53-9 when leading at intermission (12-1 in '02-03, 21-1 last year). The only game MU has lost this year when leading at the break was at East Carolina, Dec. 30 (MU led 35-33 at half).

Rebound Notes

Tom Crean-coached Marquette teams have always stressed rebounding with the Golden Eagles outrebounding 70 of 108 foes during his tenure. MU shows a 58-12 mark under Crean when outboarding the opposition (12-1 in '02-03, 19-3 during 2001-02). Through Jan. 30, MU stood No. 2 in C-USA in rebound margin (+5.5). Last year, MU stood No. 3 among C-USA teams in rebound margin (+4.5) in overall and league (+2.7) play.

70 A Magic Number

During Coach Crean's tenure as head coach, Marquette stands 42-8 when scoring 70 or more points (10-3 in 2002-03). The 2001-02 campaign saw the Golden Eagles post a 20-1 mark in such games and they show a 38-7 effort since 2000-01.

Inside The Numbers

Marquette has outshot 13 of 17 foes from the field this year and stands 12-1 in those games, 36-2 since the 2001-02 season ... Through 17 games, the Golden Eagles are averaging 12.41 turnovers per game vs. 12.94 for the opposition ... After 17 games, Marquette averages 15.3 trey attempts vs. 20.89 for opponents.

Marquette Among National Leaders in Stat Categories

Through games played Jan. 29, Marquette found itself among the national leaders in a couple of statistical categories. The Golden Eagles were 22nd in scoring offense (79.9 ppg) and 17th in free throw percentage (.753). In addition, MU posts a +13.9 per-game scoring margin, good for 14th position

Home Cookin' Suits Marquette Just Fine

Following Wednesday's win vs. East Carolina, Marquette has won its last 26 straight home games, the second-longest home streak in school history. Last Saturday's win over DePaul pushed past the 24 straight games MU won during the entire 1977-78 season when that squad went 17-0 and part of the '78-79 campaign when it won its first seven home games. Of course, the current streak has quite some ways to go to match the school's all-time mark of 81straight home-court triumphs (tied for fifth longest in NCAA history) set from 1967 through 1973.

So far this year, Marquette has averaged 84.7 points in its 10 home contests compared to 61.3 points for the opposition. In addition, the Golden Eagles have connected on 54.2 percent from the floor vs. 39.0 percent for opponents.

Last Call

During Crean's tenure as head coach, Marquette has a 16-2 won-lost slate when shooting 30 or more free throws (1-0 in '99-00; 5-2 in 2000-01, 6-0 in '01-02 and 4-0 in 2002-03) ... Marquette has held seven opponents to less than 40 percent from the floor this year and stands 6-1 in those contests, 19-2 since the 2001-02 campaign.

Quick Starts Help Marquette

During its current six-game win streak, Marquette has outscored the opposition in the first half on five occasions. Over the course of the last five contests, the Golden Eagles have shot 46.3 percent from the floor in the first half (63-of-136) vs. the opposition's mark of 39.1 percent (47-of-120) en route to a 35.2-27.2 first-half scoring advantage.

Coach Crean On The Air

The Tom Crean Radio Show can be heard on Monday evenings, 7:30 - 8:00 pm on WISN Radio (1130 AM). The host of the show is the radio voice of Golden Eagle Basketball, Steve "The Homer" True. On Jan. 27, the Tom Crean Radio Show will originate from the Sports Annex on the Marquette campus located on the corner of 16th and Wells. The Tom Crean Television Show airs on WDJT-TV (Ch. 58) on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. The host of the show is Pat Hughes.