Dec. 29, 2002

Game Date - Dec. 30

Site - Greenville, NC * Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (8,000)

Tipoff - 6:05 p.m. CST

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

Television - FoxSports Net (Pat Hughes, Play-by-Play; George Thompson, Analysis)

Probable Marquette Starters (subject to change)

G #34 - Travis Diener (So., 6-1, 165, Fond du Lac, Wis.) 9.9 ppg; 2.4 rpg, 6.11 apg -- Averaging 7.8 assists in last four games; has led or shared for team lead in assists in six games

G #3 - Dwyane Wade (Jr., 6-5, 210, Robbins, Ill.) 25.3 ppg; 6.2 rpg; 4.4 apg -- C-USA leading scorer -- has seven games of 20 or more points this year -- Shooting 67.2 percent (39-of-58) from the floor in his last four games

F #5 - Scott Merritt (Jr., 6-10, 245, Wauwatosa, Wis.) 10.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg -- No. 3 on club in scoring and No. 2 in rebounding

F #1 - Todd Townsend (So., 6-7, 215, Chicago, Ill.) 6.3 ppg; 2.6 rpg -- Career-highs in points (16) and assists (5) vs. Grambling

F #55 - Robert Jackson (Sr., 6-10, 260, Milwaukee, Wis.) 17.2 ppg; 8.8 rpg -- Double-figure scorer in each of the team's first nine games -- 26 pts. vs. Grambling was season high and fourth game of 20 or more points this season.

Probable East Carolina Starters (subject to change)

F #33 - Erroyl Bing (Jr., 6-6, 250, 8.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg)

F #51 - Gabriel Mikulas (Jr., 6-8, 230, 12.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

C #25 - Moussa Badiane (So., 6-10, 215, 8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

G # 1 - Belton Rivers (Fr., 6-3, 185, 10.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

G #31 - Derrick Wiley (Jr., 6-4, 190, 14.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Series Notes - The series between Marquette and East Carolina stands tied at 1-1. Last year, Marquette claimed a 70-58 win in Milwaukee before the Pirates recorded a 51-46 triumph in Greenville.

Statistical Comparison

			Marquette		East Carolina
Scoring Avg.		82.6 ppg		73.9 ppg
Scoring Def.		67.1 ppg		62.0 ppg
Scoring Margin	       +15.5 ppg		+11.9
Rebounding Avg.	        38.3 rpg		37.4 rpg
Reb. Margin		+7.0			+1.5
FG%			52.1%			47.8%
Opp FG%		        40.1%			37.5%
3 Pt. FG%		35.1%			28.6%
FT%		        71.9%			68.3%

Game Info

After closing out a four-game homestand with a win over Grambling on Saturday, the Marquette basketball team opens its eighth season of Conference USA play on Monday, Dec. 30, at East Carolina. Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (8,000) will be the site of the third-ever meeting between the Golden Eagles and Pirates and tipoff is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST). The game will be televised by FoxSports Net with Pat Hughes and George Thompson handling the play-by-play and analysis, respectively.

The Records

Marquette, ranked 12th in the ESPN/USA Today poll and 13th by the Associated Press (as of Dec. 23), takes an 8-1 record into the East Carolina game. In its most recent performance, Marquette recorded an 105-74 win over Grambling this past Saturday, the program's 23rd consecutive win on its home court.

In that game, the Golden Eagles held a 53-45 advantage at halftime before exploding for a 52-29 scoring advantage in the second half. Over the final 20 minutes of action, Marquette shot 70.4 percent from the floor (19-of-27) while limiting the Tigers to 37.9 percent. A key stretch during the second half took place over a 3:10 stretch when Marquette came up with an 18-0 run that turned a 61-49 lead into a 79-49 margin with 14:36 left in the game.

Senior Robert Jackson led all players with a season-high 26 points (one shy of tying his career high) that included hitting on a career-high 12-of-17 from the floor. Junior Dwyane Wade totaled 23 points, his seventh game of 20 or more points this season, and led the team with seven rebounds. Sophomore Todd Townsend came through with career highs in both points (16) and assists (5) while sophomore Travis Diener rounded out the team's double-figure scorers with 12 while dishing out nine assists.

For the game, Marquette shot 65 percent from the field (39-of-60), the second-highest mark ever turned in by a team at the Bradley Center (65.5% by Marquette vs. Dayton in '89). In addition, the Golden Eagles enjoyed a 45-26 edge on the glass.

East Carolina hosts Marquette with a record of 8-2. ECU, 4-1 at home, dropped a 90-71 decision at Coastal Carolina in its last outing (Dec. 21).

Marquette Hot From The Floor

Entering the East Carolina game, Marquette is shooting 52.1 percent from the field, good for the No. 1 spot among C-USA teams. The Golden Eagles have shot 50 percent or better from the floor in the last four and in a total of five contests this year. In the last four games, Marquette is hitting at a 57.3 percent clip (129-of-225).

Bolstering the team's field goal percentage mark are three starters who are shooting well over 50 percent from the floor; Dwyane Wade (.607, 88-of-145, No. 4 C-USA), Robert Jackson (.583, 60-of-103, No. 7 in C-USA) and Scott Merritt (.529, 36-of-68, 13th in C-USA).

Last year, the Golden Eagles tied Houston for the top spot in field goal shooting among C-USA teams and finished 24th nationally with a 47.3 percent mark. Marquette is 5-0 in games this year when it has shot 50 percent or better, 23-2 since the 2000-01 season.

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, good for third place in the American Division. 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 44-10 (42-8 at the Bradley Center, 2-2 at the U.S. Cellular Arena).

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 64-36/4th season Tom Crean's Career Record 64-36/4th season

Jackson Making An Impact

Senior Robert Jackson has made a significant impact for Marquette this season and checks into the East Carolina game second on the squad in scoring (17.2 ppg) and first in rebounding (8.8 rpg). The 6-foot-10 Jackson has scored in double figures in all nine of the Golden Eagles' contests. Jackson has been the team's top board man in three of the last four and in a total of five outings. He has pulled down a team-high 37 offensive rebounds and his 4.11 offensive rebounds per-game average is good for the No. 2 spot in C-USA (through Dec. 28).

More Notes From Grambling

Marquette established a Bradley Center school record for assists (29) ... Marquette's point total represented the second time this season that it has reached the century mark ... MU is 27-1 all-time in games when it has scored 100 or more points ... The Golden Eagles' 105 points tied a Bradley Center school record with the previous time taking place vs. Delaware State on Jan. 20, 1993 ... Marquette tied its season high with 45 rebounds ... Marquette shot a season-high 63.6 percent from three-point range (7-of-11), the high-water mark by a C-USA team through games played Dec. 28.

40 A Magic Number On The Glass

MU's 45 boards against Grambling boosted the team's mark this year to 5-0 when finishing a game with 40 or more caroms. Since Crean has been head coach, the Golden Eagles stand 23-3 in such contests. Last year, MU posted a 6-0 record when registering 40 or more rebounds.

East Carolina Head Coach Bill Herrion

Bill Herrion (Merrimack, '81) is in his fourth season as head coach of East Carolina and has compiled a school record of 44-52. In 12 years as a college head coach, Herrion has a career slate of 211-123.

Wade On a Hot Streak

Dwyane Wade, who ranks first among C-USA players and No. 5 nationally in scoring (25.3 ppg), enters the East Carolina game on a hot streak. Wade has registered 10 or more field goals in three of his last four games (six during the year) and is shooting 67.2 percent (39-of-58) from the floor in the last four games. In the last four contests, he is averaging 27.0 points. In addition, to his first-place standing in C-USA in scoring, he holds down the No. 5 spot in field goal shooting (.607, 88-of-145). In addition, he holds down the No. 18 position in C-USA in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and is No. 7 in assists (4.44 apg). His 23 points against Grambling was his seventh effort of 20 or more points this season and 16th of his career.

Odds and Ends

Dwyane Wade's 23 points against Grambling represented his 40th career game of double-figure scoring in 41 outings ... Rob Jackson's 26-point afternoon against Elon boosted his career total to 973 ... Marquette has allowed one opponent this year (Notre Dame) and just two of its last 32 foes to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor ... The Golden Eagles own a 26-4 record during Crean's tenure when shooting 50 percent or better from the floor (5-0 in '02-03, 12-0 in 2001-02) ... Marquette has held 66 of its last 71 opponents to less than 50 percent from the floor ... MU stands 31-3 during Crean's stint as head coach when registering 15 or more assists (7-0 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 seven of nine foes over the final 20 minutes this year ... The Golden Eagles' 23-game home win streak is the program's longest since a 23-game skein, Feb. 21, 1995 through Dec. 6, 1996 ... Since last year, MU owns a 26-3 mark when finishing a game with the same or fewer number of turnovers than the opposition ... Marquette has outshot the opposition in 14 of 18 halves ... Robert Jackson's 25-point, 13-rebound effort against Appalachian State was his second double double at Marquette and 16th of his college career ... The Golden Eagles are averaging 40.1 points in the first half of play and 42.4 points during the final 20 minutes of action ... Opponents are averaging 32.1 points during the opening 20 minutes and 35.0 in the second half ... MU is 4-0 this year when shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range, 16-1 since last season ... In its last three games, Marquette is shooting 48.4 percent (16-of-33) from beyond the arc compared to the opposition's mark of 29.0 percent (18-of-62) ... Marquette has scored 50 or more points in a half on five occasions this year compared to four last year ... Opponents have attempted more three-point field goals than MU in eight games ... Marquette shot 70.4 percent from the floor against Grambling in the second half, tying the highest effort by a Crean-coached team. Earlier this year, the Golden Eagles hit 70.4 percent of their field goal attempts against Appalachian State in the second half.

Streaks & Last Time It Happened

Consecutive Games - Scott Merritt - 71

Consecutive Starts - Dwyane Wade - 29

Consecutive Double-Figure Scoring Games - Dwyane Wade - 26

Consecutive Games with a Three-Pointer - Dwyane Wade, Steve Novak - 1

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 30+ Points - Dwyane Wade (31) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 20+ Points - Robert Jackson (26) vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002 Dwyane Wade (23) vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Rebounds - Robert Jackson (13) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002; Scott Merritt (12) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002

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) - Scott Merritt (17-12) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002; Robert Jackson (25-13) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002

The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Assists - Travis Diener (10) vs. Appalachian State - Dec. 7, 2002

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. Tennessee - Nov. 21, 2001

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 - (65.0%, 39-60) vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

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 - 29 vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

The Last Time Marquette Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - 29 vs. Grambling - Dec. 28, 2002

The Last Time an Opponent Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - Memphis (20) - Feb. 2, 2001

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

The Last Time an Opponent Scored 30+ Points - Chris Thomas (32) - Notre Dame - Dec. 2, 2002

The Last Time an Opponent Scored 20+ Points - Paul Haynes (21) - Grambling - Dec.28, 2002

The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Rebounds - Torin Francis (13) - Notre Dame - Dec. 2, 2002

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) - Torin Francis (11-13) - Notre Dame - Dec. 2, 2002

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

Playing With the Lead

During Crean's stay at Marquette, the Golden Eagles have been tough to beat when leading at halftime. Marquette stands 48-8 when leading at the intermission (7-0 in '02-03, 21-1 last season). The only game MU lost last season when leading at halftime was at East Carolina (MU led 27-20 at half).

Rebound Notes

Tom Crean-coached Marquette teams have always stressed rebounding with the Golden Eagles outrebounding 64 of 100 opponents during Crean's tenure. MU shows a 53-11 record under Crean when outboarding the opposition, (7-0 in '02-03, 19-3 during the 2001-02 campaign. Through Dec. 28, MU was No. 3 in C-USA in rebound margin (+7.0). Last year, MU stood No. 3 among C-USA teams in rebound margin (+4.5) in overall and league play (+2.7).

70 A Magic Number For Marquette

During Coach Crean's tenure as head coach, Marquette stands 38-6 when scoring 70 or more points (6-1 in 2002-03). The 2001-02 season saw the Golden Eagles post a 20-1 mark in such games and they show a 35-4 mark since 2000-01.

Inside The Numbers

Marquette has outshot eight of nine opponents from the field this year and shows a 8-0 record in those games, 32-1 since the 2001-02 season ... Through nine games, the Golden Eagles are averaging 12.8 turnovers per game vs. 12.5 for the opposition ... After nine games, MU is averaging 14.8 three-point field goal attempts vs. 23.0 for the opposition.