Feb. 11, 2008

MU-SHU Game Notes (PDF)

The No. RV/25 Marquette University men's basketball team wraps up a brief two-game road swing with BIG EAST Conference action at Seton Hall Tuesday night. ESPN+ will produce the 6:30 p.m. CT broadcast, which will be available in the greater Milwaukee area on WMLW. Dave Ryan (play-by-play) and Eric Murdock (analyst), a former member of the Milwaukee Bucks, will call the action. The Pirates are Marquette's final home-and-home opponent in league action. MU has already split a pair of contests with Notre Dame, while dropping a pair to Louisville. The Golden Eagles downed Seton Hall 61-56 at the Bradley Center on Jan. 8.

James Returns To Form At Notre Dame
Junior guard Dominic James, who has battled through injury and illness in recent weeks, returned to the form that made him a Preseason All-BIG EAST selection in the team's recent outing at Notre Dame.

In 32 minutes of action against the Fighting Irish, James contributed 23 points, six assists, one block and a steal. He shot 10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the 3-point line. He also had just one turnover on the day.

Previous to Saturday's action, he had only reached double figures in points just once in the previous six outings. His point total at ND surpassed his offensive efforts in the last three games combined.

James has battled through a wrist injury he suffered in the Jan. 8 matchup with Seton Hall and came off the bench for the first time in his career (vs. Louisville, Feb. 4) because of the flu.

Barro Becoming A Force On The Boards
After reaching double figures in rebounds just once in the first 19 games this season, senior Ousmane Barro has now accomplished the feat twice in the last three outings.

The Dakar, Senegal, native contributed a season-high 12 boards against Notre Dame, including three at the offensive end. He also chipped in two points and a pair of blocks in 22 minutes of action, while making his second start in 2007-08.

Barro accounted for 10 boards in the victory at Cincinnati on Feb. 2 and is averaging 9.3 caroms-per-game in his last three games.

Fitzgerald, Cubillan Provide Offensive Support
Long-distance specialists Dan Fitzgerald and David Cubillan both made offensive contributions at Notre Dame and a consistent performance from the duo could play a key role down the stretch for Marquette.

Both are ranked among MU's career leaders in 3-point field goal percentage, but each has struggled with his shooting touch in recent weeks.

In the team's most recent outing, the tandem accounted for 17 points, thanks to a 4-of-8 effort from behind the 3-point line. Fitzgerald and Cubillan hadn't combined for at least four treys since the Jan. 20 contest at Connecticut.