March 2, 2007

Game Notes vs. Pittsburgh

MILWAUKEE - In its final game of the regular season, the No. 20/21 Marquette men's basketball team hosts co-BIG EAST leader No. 12/12 Pittsburgh, Saturday at 8 p.m., in hopes of securing the sixth seed in the conference tournament with a win. A victory over the Panthers (24-5, 11-3) at the Bradley Center would be the 23rd of the season for the Golden Eagles (22-8, 9-6) and the most since winning 26 games during the 2001-02 season. MU has won five of its last six games at home.

The match-up between two of the top teams in the BIG EAST will culminate a day of festivities taking place at the Bradley Center as ESPN College Gameday is set to make its first appearance in Milwaukee. Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and Digger Phelps will be on hand to provide live analysis on the day in college basketball from 9-11 a.m., and at tip off, Dan Shulman and Dick Vitale will be courtside to call the action.

The game against Pittsburgh will also be the last for three Marquette seniors, Jamil Lott, Mike Kinsella and Craig Kuphall.

Marquette is coming off an 85-73 loss at Notre Dame last Saturday. Four players scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles in the loss, including sophomore Wesley Matthews, who led the team with 17 points and was 7-for-8 from the field.

Guard Dominic James continues to lead the team in scoring with 15.2 points per game. Close behind is sophomore Jerel McNeal, averaging 14.7 points. He also has 76 steals on the season, 11th in NCAA Division 1.

The Panthers have their eyes set on a BIG EAST title and No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. They have won eight of their last 10 contests and are 6-2 in true road games this season. Aaron Gray leads the squad, averaging 14.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.

In its last game, Feb. 27, Pitt defeated West Virginia, 80-66, scoring 51 points in the second half and shooting 60.4 percent in the game. Four of five starters scored at least 12 points and Ronald Ramon added 10 off the bench.

Marquette has won the last two meetings with Pittsburgh, including a 77-74 overtime defeat of the then-No. 6/6 Panthers, Jan. 21, at the Peterson Center. James led the Golden Eagles with 23 points and hit two free throws with less than a second remaining in the overtime period to help secure the victory.

MU leads the all-time series, 4-3.