Marquette University Athletics
Marquette vs. Lousiville Men's Basketball Release
2/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2000
Marquette (13-8, 6-4 C-USA) vs. Louisville (12-9, 4-5 C-USA) Feb. 13, 2000
Game Data Site - Louisville, Kent. /Freedom Hall (18,865)
Tipoff - 5:05 p.m. CST
Radio - Marquette Basketball Radio Network (Steve "The Homer" True, Play-by-Play, George Thompson, Analyst)
Television - ESPN 2 (Dave Feldman, Play-by-Play, Tim McCormick, Analyst)
Officials - Don Rutledge, Tom Rucker, Mark Whitehead
Probable Marquette Starters
G #10 - Cordell Henry (So., 5-9, 160, Chicago, Ill.) 7.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg
55 minutes last two games - 6 assists, 0 turnovers
G #4 - John Cliff (Sr., 6-2, 210, Decatur, Ill.) 13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 37.6 3FG%, 74.4 FT%
has scored in double figures his last four games
F #22 - Brian Wardle (Jr., 6-5, 212, Clarendon Hills, Ill.) 17.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 47.4 FG%, 75.5 FT%
team's leading scorer in 12 games this season
F #43 - Oluoma Nnamaka (So., 6-7, 213, Uppsala, Sweden) 9.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg
averaging 10.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in last three games
C #35 - John Mueller (Jr., 6-11, 231, Cedarburg, Wis.) 5.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg
has eight games of six or more rebounds
Probable Louisville Starters
F #3 - Tony Williams (Sr., 6-8, 15.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
F #21 - Nate Johnson (Sr., 6-6, 13.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
C #33 - Dion Edward (Sr., 6-9, 5.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
G #22 - Reece Gaines (Fr., 6-6, 8.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
G # 5 - Marques Maybin (Jr., 6-3, 13.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
The Records
The Golden Eagles stand 13-8 overall and 6-4 in C-USA action, good for a second-place tie in the American Division. Marquette owns a two-game win streak following a 65-61 triumph at home over Houston this past Saturday. Junior Brian Wardle (19 pts.) and senior John Cliff (14 pts.) accounted for over half of the team's point total while the Golden Eagles responded on the defensive end of the floor, holding the Cougars to 18 points fewer than their scoring average heading into the game and allowing UH to convert on 41.8 percent of its field goal attempts (went into the game shooting 44.0 pecent). Marquette led, 51-44, with 8:39 on the clock but Houston battled back to within one point, (57-56) with 3:29 remaining. However, a couple of big buckets by Cliff, along with clutch free throws by junior John Mueller and sophomore Oluoma Nnamaka, sealed the win, boosting the Golden Eagles home record to 11-2 this year. Louisville takes an overall record of 12-9 into a Feb. 10 home date against No. 4 Syracuse. The Cardinals , 4-5 in C-USA action, snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday when it topped Memphis, 74-59. Prior to meeting Syracuse, UL stood 9-2 in home contests this season.
Notes and Nibbles
Six of MU's 13 wins have been by 10 or more points ... Marquette has started out the month of February 2-0 for just the second time in six seasons ... The Golden Eagles hold down the No. 5 spot in C-USA (through Feb. 6) in offensive rebounds per game (14.42 orpg) ... This year's team has won two road C-USA games (three left to go) compared to just one a year ago ... Marquette has held nine opponents to 60 or fewer points this season and stands 8-1 in those games.
Marquette Head Coach> Tom Crean
Tom Crean was named Marquette's head coach on March 30, 1999. He is in his first season as a head coach after serving as an assistant for 10 seasons. His coaching resum? includes stops at Michigan State (1989-90), Western Kentucky (1990-94), Pittsburgh (1994-95) and most recently again at Michigan State (1995-99). He is a 1989 graduate of Central Michigan. Crean is assisted by Tim Buckley, Dwayne Stephens and Darrin Horn. Tom Crean's Marquette Record 13-8/1st season Tom Crean's Career Record 13-8/1st season
Scouting Louisville
Heading into its clash against Syracuse, Louisville was averaging 74.5 points per game (No. 6 in C-USA) while allowing 67.4 points (No. 8 in C-USA). The Cardinals were shooting 46.3 percent from the field (No. 4 in C-USA) while their opponents have connected on 42.8 percent of their attempts. Through 21 games, senior forward Tony Williams ranked as the team's top scorer (15.4 ppg) while holding down the No. 2 position in rebounding (6.6 rpg). The 6-foot-7 Williams, the Cardinals' leader in three-point field goals with 46, had scored in double figures on 18 occasions and had registered six efforts of 20-plus points. In games played through Feb. 6, Williams was 10th in C-USA in scoring, 13th in rebounding, seventh in trey percentage (.397) and sixth in three-point goals per game (2.19). Senior forward Nate Johnson, the team leader in minutes (29.6 mpg) through 21 games, was tied with junior guard Marques Maybin for the No. 2 spot on the club in scoring with a 13.3 points per game average. The 6-foot-6 Johnson, who had produced 14 double-digit scoring contests, also held down the top spot on the team in steals with 43 and his 2.05 steals per game ranked second among C-USA players. Maybin, who missed the first Marquette meeting, had chalked up 13 double-figure scoring games in his 20 appearances. In addition, Maybin had a team-high 68 free throws to his credit and was 12th among league players (as of Feb. 6) in free throw percentage (.739).
More on Louisville
In games played through Feb. 6, UL stood No. 2 in the league in both free throw percentage (.701) and steals (9.90 spg) ... Prior to Syracuse, UL had registered 11 games of 10 or more steals.
Louisville Coach Denny Crum
Denny Crum, one of two active collegiate coaches in the Basketball Hall of Fame, took a 29-year school and career record of 656-273 into the Syracuse game. Crum has guided the Cardinals to 20 or more victories in 21 of his 28 complete seasons at U of L. The Cardinals have advanced to the NCAA Final Four on six times under his guidance and won national titles in 1980 and 1986.
The Marquette-Louisville Series
Louisville claims an all-time record of 27-17 against Marquette. Earlier this season (Jan. 15), the Golden Eagles snapped a two-game losing streak to the Cardinals when it came away with a 66-64 overtime win at the Bradley Center. Brian Wardle led MU's scoring attack with 17 points while John Cliff scored six of his 12 points in the extra stanza to aid in the win. Junior John Mueller helped MU to a 49-25 advantage on the glass by grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.
This and That
Marquette's six wins in league play ties last year's entire total ... In the last three games, the Golden Eagles are shooting 46.1 percent (77-of-167) from the field vs. 45.8 percent (72-of-157) for their opponents ... Marquette finished the Houston game with a slim 32-31 edge on the glass, the third straight game in which it has out boarded its foe ... The Golden Eagles are averaging 27.5 points during the first half of play (28.9 for the opposition) and 36.2 during the second half/overtime (32.5 for the opposition) ... Marquette has shot 50 percent or better from the field in two C-USA games, four total during the year, while four conference foes have shot 50 percent or better from the field (five total all year) ... MU has grabbed 10 or more offensive rebounds in 11 of its last 12 contests vs. eight times by opponents ... Over the last three games, the Golden Eagles post a 36.0-26.3 per-game bulge in rebounding ... The Golden Eagles have enjoyed an edge of 10 or more boards in a game on six occasions ... MU shot 64.7 percent from the foul line vs. Houston, snapping a five-game streak where it had connected on 70 percent or better from the charity stripe ... Marquette has scored 40 or more points in a half on eight occasions this season compared to three for the opposition ... The Golden Eagles are 13-0 when leading with 5:00 left to play... Marquette has outshot 13 foes from the floor and stands 11-2 in those contests ... MU is 12-2 in games when it has attempted 15 or more free throws ... MU shows a 7-2 record when shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range.
Marquette vs. Ranked Opponents
Marquette stands 2-2 in games vs. ranked opponents this year, dropping a pair of decisions to Cincinnati while defeating No. 21 DePaul (Jan. 12) and No. 25 Lou isville (Jan. 15). Marquette's all-time record against nationally ranked foes (in the Associated Press poll) is 71-108, including a 17-49 slate on the road.
Streaks `n' Stuff Consecutive Games - Cordell Henry - 50
Consecutive Starts - Brian Wardle - 28
Consecutive Double-Figure Scoring Games - John Cliff - 4
Consecutive Games with a Three-Pointer - John Cliff - 5
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 20+ Points - John Cliff (28) vs. South. Miss - Feb. 2, 2000
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Rebounds - John Mueller (10) vs. Louisville - Jan. 15, 2000
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had a Double-Double (Points-Rebounds) - Brian Wardle (26-12) vs. Coppin State - Dec. 29, 1999
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Assists - Marcus West (11) vs. Dayton - Dec. 21, 1997
The Last Time an Opponent Scored 20+ Points - David Wall (23) - Southern Miss - Feb. 2, 2000
The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Rebounds - Quentin Richardson (11) - DePaul - Jan. 12, 2000
The Last Time an Opponent Had a Double-Double (Points-Rebounds) - Quentin Richardson (17-11) - DePaul - Jan. 12, 2000
The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Assists - Edwin Young (10) - Dayton - Nov. 28, 1998
The Polling Place
Feb. 9 College RPI 38th
Feb. 9 The RPI Report 39th
Feb. 9 Sagarin Ratings 51st
Injury Update
Oluoma Nnamaka returned to action against Xavier (Jan. 2) after missing five games with a stress fracture in the second bone of his left foot. Since his return, he has averaged 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. Through the first five games he averaged 9.6 points and 8.0 rebounds. Junior Greg Clausen underwent surgery on Oct. 29, to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. He missed both exhibition games, but has seen action in 15 games this season.
Career Numbers To Watch
John Cliff is seven points shy of reaching 800 in his career and six rebounds short of 275 ... Brian Wardle's next successful free throw will give him 200 during his career while two more boards will push his career mark to 325 ... John Mueller is four rebounds from reaching the 225 career plateau ... Oluoma Nnamaka is three rebounds shy of 225.
Oh Yes They Call It A Streak
Marquette has made at least one three-point field goal in 339 consecutive games. The last game without a trey was against Wake Forest on Feb. 2, 1989. The Golden Eagles are shooting 33.1% (63-of-190) from beyond the arc in road games this season.
Bench Production
Marquette's bench is averaging 13.0 points and 12.9 rebounds. The reserves shoot 42.1% from the field, 29.5% from three-point range. Marquette's best scoring performance from its bench was in the season opener against Chicago State (Nov. 20) with 29 points. The reserves pulled down a season-high 20 rebounds against Coppin State (Dec. 29) and SLU (Jan. 5). MU subs have scored 15 or more points in 10 contests (four games of 20-plus points) and have hauled down 10 or more boards on 15 occasions including eight performances of 15 or more caroms.
Protecting the Lead
Marquette has won its last seven and stands 11-1 this year when leading at halftime. The Baylor game (Dec. 11) is the only time this year the Golden Eagles have lost after holding the lead at the break. Marquette's 36-26 halftime lead against DePaul (Jan. 12) marked the fourth time this season that the team had enjoyed a lead of 10 or more points at the intermission. Conversely, the Golden Eagles are 1-7 when trailing at the break. The Xavier game (Jan. 2) marked the first time this season that Marquette won after being behind at the break.
Marquette in the Bradley Center
The Golden Eagles are in their 12th season in the Bradley Center. Marquette has a 138-51 all-time record, including a 10-1 mark this season, in the Bradley Center. Marquette in the Milwaukee Arena The Golden Eagles posted a 1-1 record in games at the Milwaukee Arena this season. Marquette also played one exhibition game at the Arena. The Arena served as Marquette's home from 1950-51 to 1987-88. The Golden Eagles have played six games in the Arena since then and are 5-1 in those contests.
Defending the Three-Pointer
This season, Marquette's foes are shooting a league-low 25.2% from beyond the arc and are averaging 3.6 treys a game. Only three opponents - Cincinnati (Jan. 23) , Baylor, Coppin State -have shot 40% or better from long range. The Golden Eagles have held five foes under 20% from three-point territory. Minnesota was 0-5 from three-point territory on Nov. 23, the first time in 75 games a Marquette opponent failed to connect on the long-range shot. In the last three contests, MU foes are shooting 23.5 percent (12-of-51) from 3pt. range.
Inside the Numbers
In Marquette's 13 wins, it holds a 39.8-29.1 per-game edge in rebounding (+10.7) ... In the squad's eight setbacks, the Golden Eagles have been outboarded by a 35.0-34.4 per-game margin ... In the team's eight losses, Marquette has allowed 69.1 points (scoring 59.1) and 44.6% shooting from the floor (shooting 40.4% in losses) ... Marquette has not been a kind host to its visitors, allowing just 57.3 points a game in 13 contests in Milwaukee... MU has a 5-1 won-lost ledger in games when it has the same or fewer number of turnovers ... In Marquette's eight defeats, the team has averaged 11.8 free throw attempts per game compared to 29.2 for the opposition ... In the last three games, MU is averaging just 10.7 turnovers vs. its season average of 16.1.
Climbing the Career Charts
John Cliff and Brian Wardle rank among Marquette's top career three-point shooters. Here's a look at where they stand on the career statistical lists:
Three-Point Field Goals
7. John Cliff 143 - 7 shy of 6th (Eford)
8. Brian Wardle 117 - 26 shy of 7th (Cliff)
Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
6. John Cliff 417 - 65 shy of 5th (Miller)
8. Brian Wardle 334 - 56 shy of 7th (Eford)
Dynamic Duo
Brian Wardle (28 points) and John Cliff (25 points) combined for 53 points, 71.6% of Marquette's 74 points, at Wisconsin (Dec. 23). It was the first time since the Feb. 6, 1999, game at Louisville that two players scored 20 or more points. Wardle had 25 and Cliff added 23 in the 81-77 loss to the Cardinals. On the season, the pair has accounted for 653 points, 48.8% of Marquette's scoring total. In addition, they have totaled 76 of the Golden Eagles' 110 three-point field goals (69.0%).
Brian's Song
Brian Wardle is shooting 47.4% from the field this season. Entering the season, his career shooting percentage stood at 36.8%. He also is hitting a team-best 46.1% of his three-point attempts, compared to a 31.8% career percentage prior to the start of the season. In MU's eight road games, he is tossing in 17.1 points and shooting 47.2 percent from the floor (51-of-108). Wardle's five-of-five performance from three-point range in the UNC Charlotte game (Jan. 19) represented career bests in both treys and 3pt. percentage and tied him with John Cliff for most treys in a game by a Golden Eagle player in `99-00. Wardle was one of the hottest players in Conference USA in December. He had a streak of four straight 25+ point games snapped against Xavier (Jan. 2). Wardle has been Marquette's top scorer in three of the last four and in a total of 10 games this season. His 8-9 performance from the field against Wisconsin (Dec. 23) was his best career shooting effort. Wardle was unstoppable in the second half of the Baylor game (Dec. 11). He scored 16 straight points in the final 8:39 of regulation and hit a three-pointer to open the overtime period. Wardle set or tied career highs in field goals (12), field goals attempted (21), and minutes (38) in that game.
Twenty-Something
Brian Wardle scored 25 or more points in a four-game span (Baylor, Hampton, Wisconsin, Coppin State). He is the only player in the nation to reach 25 points in four straight games this season. The last time a Marquette player scored 25+ points in four straight games was all the way back in the 1967-68 campaign. George Thompson, a member of Marquette's radio broadcast team, scored 25 against South Dakota (Feb. 19), 26 versus Detroit (Feb. 17), 26 in a win over UW-Milwaukee (Feb. 14), and 27 versus Xavier (Feb. 10).
More on Wardle
In addition to stepping up his offensive performance, Wardle also has been impressive on the boards, averaging 5.0 rebounds, good for the No. 4 spot on the team. He recorded his first double-figure rebounding effort with 12 against Coppin State on Dec. 29. Eight of those rebounds were offensive, most by a Golden Eagle this season. Entering the Louisville game, he is third on the team in offensive rebounds with 48.
Cliff Hanger
Senior John Cliff is enjoying the best offensive production of his career. Cliff entered the 1999-2000 campaign with a 5.6 ppg career average. He ranks second on the team with a 13.9 ppg average. Cliff has been the team's top scorer in seven games and has reached double digits 16 times. He has drilled 41 three-pointers, most on the team this season and good for seventh place on the school's list for treys in a season by a senior. Cliff had connected on a three-pointer in 18 consecutive games before being blanked in the DePaul game (Jan. 12). Cliff is shooting 37.6% from three-point land this season (No. 8 in C-USA through Feb. 6). His career percentage prior to the start of the season was 33.1% The senior is grabbing 3.8 rebounds, compared to his career average of 2.1 entering the season. He has 44 assists, which surpasses his total of 27 from the 1998-99 campaign.
Oh Henry
Cordell Henry stands first on the team and is tied for 11th in C-USA in assists (3.43 apg) and fourth on the squad in scoring with a 7.8 ppg average. He has committed just 14 turnovers in 290 minutes in the last 11 games. In addition to his career-high tying 21 points against DePaul (Jan. 12) in a 69-60 win, Henry played a critical role late in Marquette's win over Xavier on Jan. 2. He hit a three-pointer as the shot clock wound down to pull Marquette even at 62-62. Henry also scored the Golden Eagles' next hoop with 49 seconds remaining that put the team on top 64-62. The Golden Eagles did not relinquish that lead.
The Man in the Middle
After starting six of 28 games last year and averaging 12.3 minutes per outing, John Mueller has started every game at the center position in 1999-2000. On the season he is logging 18.7 minutes per game, shooting 49.4% from the field and averaging 5.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. Mueller narrowly missed his second career double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in the Dec. 29 win over Coppin State. His team-high seven boards in the Cincinnati game (Jan. 23) marked the fourth time in `99-00 he had led the squad in boards. He notched 10 first-half points at Baylor (Dec. 11) and finished with a career-best 12 before fouling out. Mueller recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and a career-best 10 rebounds against Appalachian State (Dec. 4).
The Eagles' Eye Makes Debut
The Eagles' Eye, a 30-minute television show devoted to the Marquette men's and women's basketball programs, debuted on Midwest Sports Channel on Tuesday, Feb. 8. A total of six shows will air on Tuesdays through March 14 on Midwest Sports Channel starting at 6:30 p.m.
Chairman of the Boards
Sophomore Jon Harris has been a consistent force on the glass for the Golden Eagles, averaging a team-best 6.8 boards a game (12th in C-USA as of Feb. 6). He has four double-figure rebounding efforts this season. On the year, he has led or shared for the team's rebounding lead in nine games. He is ninth among C-USA players in offensive rebounds (2.76 orpg). His 11 rebounds versus Coppin State (Dec. 29) were a career high. He was an offensive spark in the win over Hampton (Dec. 20). He was 6-9 from the field and scored a career-best 15 points.
By the Numbers
Games Led in Scoring
Wardle - 12, Cliff - 7 Henry - 2.
Games Led in Rebounding
Harris - 9, Wardle - 6, Mueller - 4, Cliff -2, Nnamaka - 2, Clausen, Henry - 1.
Double-Figure Scoring Games
Marquette - 53 (Wardle- 17, Cliff - 16, Henry - 7, Nnamka - 7, Mueller - 3, Harris - 2, Barone - 1).
Opponents - 62.
Twenty-Point Scoring Games
Marquette - 11 (Wardle - 8, Cliff - 2, Henry - 1).
Opponents - 6.
Double-Figure Rebounding Games
Marquette - 7 (Harris - 4, Mueller - 2, Wardle - 1).
Opponents - 8.
Double-Figure Scoring-Rebounding Games
Marquette - 2 (Mueller, Wardle - 1).
Opponents - 6.
Tune in to the Golden Eagles
Steve "The Homer" True and George Thompson are in their ninth season on the Marquette Basketball Radio Network. Milwaukee's WISN AM 1130 is the flagship station of the Marquette Basketball Radio Network. The network includes the following affiliates:
WFAW AM 940 (Fort Atkinson)
WRJQ AM 1050 (Appleton)
WCLO AM 1230 (Janesville)
WOMT AM 1240 (Manitowoc)
WRJN AM 1400 (Racine)
WBWI FM 92.5 (West Bend)
Marquette broadcasts all of its men's basketball games around the world on the Internet. The games will be broadcast on Broadcast.com. All men's games are broadcast live and at no cost to the listener.
The Tom Crean Show on Radio 1130 WISN Marquette head coach Tom Crean and Steve "The Homer" True will talk Marquette basketball on Crean's weekly radio show from 7:30-8 p.m. on Radio 1130 WISN, the flagship station for Marquette basketball broadcasts. Here's a list of dates for The Tom Crean Show: Monday, February 14 Monday, February 21 Monday, February 28 Monday, March 6
Channel Surfing
Sixteen Marquette basketball games have been or will be televised this season. Below is a list of Marquette's remaining televised contests: Feb. 13 at Louisville ESPN2 Feb. 24 at South Florida ESPN Feb. 26 Memphis ESPN Regional March 1 UAB MSC March 4 at Tulane MSC
Let's Go Surfin' Now
Up-to-the-minute information on Marquette basketball can be found at: www.gomarquette.com For current information on Conference USA, check out this website: www.c-usa.org/index2.htm
