Marquette University Athletics
Golden Eagles Battle Saint Louis On the Road
1/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2001
Game Date -- Jan. 24, 2001
Site - Saint Louis, MO -- Savis Center (20,000)
Tipoff - 7:05 p.m. CST
Radio - Marquette Basketball Radio Network (Steve "The Homer" True, Play-by-Play)
Television - Midwest Sports Channel (Pat Hughes, Play-by-Play, George Thompson, Analyst)
Officials - Bob Sitov, Kerry Sitton, Kelly Self
Probable Marquette Starters (subject to change)
G #4 - Cordell Henry (Jr., 5-10, 160, Chicago, Ill.) 11.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.5 apg -- Career-high 28 points in the Charlotte game (Jan. 20)
G #22 - Brian Wardle (Sr., 6-5, 205, Clarendon Hills, Ill.) 17.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg -- Double-figure scorer in eight of MU's last nine games
F #43 - Oluoma Nnamaka (Jr., 6-7, 218, Uppsala, Sweden) 11.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg -- Season-high15 points, career-best 14 boards vs. Charlotte
F #2 - Odartey Blankson (Fr., 6-7, 205, Country Club Hills, Ill.) 5.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg -- No. 2 on the team in rebounding (5.1 rpg)
C #35 - John Mueller (Sr., 6-10, 240, Cedarburg, Wis.) 2.2 ppg, 1.87rpg -- Has started 46 of the team's last 47 games
Probable Saint Louis Starters
F #13 - Justin Tatum (Sr., 6-7, 235, 9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
C #35 - Chris Heinrich (Sr., 6-11, 235, 6.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
G #5 - Marque Perry (So., 6-1, 175, 11.0 ppg, 3.2 apg)
G #31 - Maurice Jeffers (Sr., 6-4, 195, 15.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
G #33 - Chris Sloan (Fr., 6-7, 210, 1.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Series Notes -- Marquette owns a 23-21 record in the all-time series against Saint Louis that started during the 1925-26 season ... The Billikens have captured four of the last six meeting between the schools ... A year ago, the teams split the two meetings with Marquette winning in Milwaukee, 56-38, and Saint Louis, 67-52 on its home floor.
Game Info
After sustaining its first loss in C-USA action this past Saturday, the Marquette basketball team looks to get back on the winning track on Wednesday (Jan. 24) when it plays at Saint Louis. The Savvis Center (20,000) will serve as the site of the 45th meeting between the Golden Eagles and Billikens and tipoff is slated for approximately 7:05 p.m. (CST). The game will be televised by Midwest Sports Channel with Pat Hughes handling the play-by-play and George Thompson the analysis.
Following the Saint Louis encounter, Marquette returns home to host Tulane on Saturday (Jan. 27) starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Bradley Center.
The Records
The Golden Eagles check into Saint Louis with an overall record of 8-7, 3-1 in C-USA action, good for first place in the American Division. Marquette is coming off a tough 74-71 loss at home against Charlotte on Saturday, the third game in the last four outings that had been decided by four or fewer points.
Against Charlotte, the Golden Eagles trailed at halftime by a 41-34 margin largely in part because of a 17-4 Charlotte advantage in second-chance points. The 49ers continued their pressure on Marquette and built a 14-point cushion (54-40) with 14:50 remaining. Marquette battled back and eventually cut the gap to four points (65-69) with 3:56 remaining. After a free throw by Charlotte, a pair of charity tosses each by Oluoma Nnamaka and Cordell Henry put Marquette down by just one point, 70-69, with 2:33 on the clock. Free throws over the next 2:10 upped Charlotte's advantage to three points but a bucket by Henry kept MU's hopes alive. Charlotte's Diego Guevara sank two pressure-packed free throws with six ticks on the clock and the 49ers survived a three-point shot attempt by Brian Barone that would have tied the game to escape with the win.
Henry led the team in scoring with a career-high 28 points, sinking nine-of-14 from the floor and eight-of-nine from the line. Nnamaka came up with his second double-double of the season and fifth of his career with a season-best 15 points along with a career-high 14 rebounds.
Saint Louis (11-7, 3-2 C-USA) meets Marquette on an upswing with wins in four of its last five contests. SLU, 8-1, at home this year, recorded a 71-62 win over Cincinnati on Saturday at the Savvis Center. In its last five games, SLU posts a 70.0-64.0 per-game scoring advantage.
Nnamaka Posts Big Numbers vs. Charlotte
Junior Oluoma Nnamaka's 15 points and 14 boards against Charlotte represented a season high in points and a career-best in rebounds. Nnamaka's previous best in boards was 12 on two occasions. Nnamaka's rebound total represented the best effort by a Marquette player since Dec. 28, 1997, when Richard Shaw finished with 14 caroms against Illinois-Chicago.
Marquette Head Coach Tom Crean
Tom Crean is in his second season as the head coach of the Golden Eagles' program. 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, good for fourth place in the American Division. In games played in Milwaukee, Crean stands 19-8 (18-6 at the Bradley Center, 1-2 at the Milwaukee Arena). Prior to being named the school's head coach on March 30, 1999, he served 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).
Tom Crean's Marquette Record 23-21/2nd season
Tom Crean's Career Record 23-21/2nd season
Marquette Hitting The Boards
Marquette has outrebounded nine opponents (8-1 in those contests) this season including six contests where it has finished with an advantage of 10 or more rebounds. The Golden Eagles have been outboarded in five games this season (0-5). Marquette was outrebounded by a 40-34 margin in the Charlotte game, just the third time in 11 home games that has happened. The Golden Eagles hold a 35.3-31.4 per-game edge in rebounding and head into Saint Louis game in the No. 4 spot among C-USA teams in rebound margin (+3.9). Since Tom Crean has been Marquette's head coach, the Golden Eagles have outrebounded 15 opponents by 10 or more caroms and show a 13-2 record in those contests.
Saint Louis Head Coach Lorenzo Romar
Lorenzo Romar (Washington, `80) is in his second year as the head coach of the Saint Louis program and enters the MU game with a school record of 30-21. Romar led the Billikens to a 19-14 record last season that included a C-USA Tournament championship. In five seasons as a head coach, which includes a three-year stint at Pepperdine (1996-97 through 1998-99), Romar has a career record of 72-65. He is 1-1 vs. Marquette.
On Jan. 24
On Jan. 24, 1991, Marquette used 16 points and eight rebounds by Trevor Powell to come away with a 68-57 win at Evansville ... On Jan. 24, 1986, Head Coach Rick Majerus saw Marquette run its record to 12-5 following a 66-55 win at Hartford. Leading the way for MU in that game was David Boone with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Marquette Faces Formidable Schedule in 2000-01
Marquette faces one of the most challenging schedules in the history of the program in 2000-01, playing a minimum of 12 opponents that participated in postseason play last year including two Final Four teams (Wisconsin and North Carolina). The Golden Eagles will play at least eight teams that recorded 20 or more wins during 1999-2000. Two MU opponents are in this week's USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Poll (#6 North Carolina and #16 Wisconsin) while four others received votes including Through Jan. 21, Marquette has played or will play six teams that rank among the top 50 squads in the country according to the RPI, four of which are in the top 25.
Other Notes From the Charlotte Game
Marquette's 26 free throws against Charlotte represented the team's second-highest total of the campaign (30 vs. UMASS is team's high) ... Marquette shot 81.3 percent from the foul line against Charlotte, the team's second-highest effort of the year ... MU's eight assists vs. Charlotte was the fifth time this year the Golden Eagles finished with less than 10 assists (1-4 in such contests).
Wardle Figures in MU Career Categories
In addition to his career point production, Brian Wardle also figures among the Marquette top 10 career performers in a number of categories. Entering the Saint Louis game, he is No. 7 in career three-pointers (162), No. 7 in three-point attempts (459) and tied for No. 6. in free throw percentage (.799).
Marquette and the Foul Line
A goal of this year's MU team is to get to the foul line more and the Golden Eagles have accomplished that after 15 games, recording a total of 321 attempts from the charity stripe (21.4/per game) MU has attempted 23 or more from the foul line in seven games including 39 vs. UMASS, the most attempts by a Crean-coached MU squad, and 36 vs. Centenary. During Crean's tenure, the Golden Eagles stand 20-8 in contests when finishing with 15 or more free throw attempts (7-6 this year). After 15 games last year, MU had attempted 273 free throws.
MU Tidbits
Heading into Wednesday's game vs. Saint Louis, MU holds down the No. 2 spot in C-USA and is tied for 23rd nationally in scoring defense (61.6 ppg) ... After 15 games last season, the Golden Eagles had converted 168 free throws compared to 214 this year ... The Golden Eagles are shooting 36.3 percent (16-of-44) from three-point range in the last three contests ... MU has held the opposition to 10 or fewer field goals in a total of 14 of 30 halves ... MU has allowed just three halves of of 50 percent or better from the floor (UMASS, 50% in the 2nd half, Cincinnati, 50, 1st half & S. Florida, 50%, 1st half) ... MU has registered six games of six or more steals ... Marquette is 4-0 this year when recording 15 or more assists.
Tune In to the Golden Eagles
Steve "The Homer" True and George Thompson are in their 10th 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 1570 (Appleton)
WCLO AM 1230 (Janesville)
WOMT AM 1240 (Manitowac)
WBKV AM 1470 (West Bend)
Tom Crean Radio Show Dates
The Tom Crean Radio Show can be heard locally on WISN (1130 AM). The show is hosted by the voice of Marquette Basketball, Steve "The Homer" True, and can be heard from 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The following is a list of dates that the show can be heard.
Mon. Jan. 22 Mon. Feb. 19Mon. Jan. 29 Mon. Feb. 26Mon. Feb. 5 Mon. Mar. 5Mon. Feb. 12 Mon. Mar. 12Inside the Numbers
Marquette has faced a halftime deficit in its last seven games (3-4) ... After being outscored in the second half in five of its first seven games, Marquette has outscored the opposition during the second half in seven of the last eight games ... In Marquette's eight wins, it holds a 38.6-26.9 per-game edge in rebounding (+11.7) ... In the squad's seven losses, the Golden Eagles are being outrebounded by a a 36.6-31.4 margin ... Through 15 games, Marquette is averaging 13.9 turnovers compared to the opposition's mark of 12.1 ... Marquette's seven turnovers in the DePaul game (Jan. 6) represented a season low and tied the fewest number by a Crean-coached MU team... MU has turned the ball over more than its foes in 10 games and stands 5-5 in those contests, 2-2 when registering fewer miscues ... Marquette has outshot nine of its 15 opponents from the floor and is 6-3 in those games ... MU posts a 13.1 -11.5 per-game advantage in offensive rebounds, and claims 12 games of 10 or more offensive rebounds this year ... In the last four games, MU has attempted 91 free throws (63 makes) compared to the opposition's total of 104 attempts (71 makes) ... MU has held opponents to 20 or fewer points in a half on four occasions ... In its eight victories, MU enjoys a 64.6-56.3 scoring advantage and has shot 43.3 percent (181-of-418) from the floor while limiting the opposition to 38.7 percent (158-of-408) ... In the seven setbacks, MU has been outscored by a 57.7-67.7 margin ... MU is 4-2 when leading at halftime ... Marquette is averaging 14.0 assists in their eight wins, 8.4 in losses.
Marquette Leads C-USA In Nailbiters
After 15 games, Golden Eagles have played a league-high nine games that have been decided by five or fewer points. The Golden Eagles have kept their home fans on the edge of their seats with the last four and seven of the last eight home contests being decided by five or fewer points. Close games have become a part of Marquette's routine during the Coach Crean era with 19 of his 44 games being decided by five or fewer points. This year, MU is 5-4 in such games while posting a 9-10 record during Crean's tenure.
This and That
Marquette has attempted more free throws than its opponents in six games and stands 5-1 in those contests, 12-1 during Crean's tenure as head coach ... The Golden Eagles have two or more blocked shots in 10 of 15 games this season however the team has not registered any blocks in the last two outings ... Marquette has not allowed any of its first 15 opponents to reach the 50 percent plateau from the floor this year and holds down the No. 3 spot among league squads in FG% defense (.396) ... In the last three games, Marquette is shooting 39.4 percent (65-of-165) from the floor vs. 41.8 percent (74-of-177) for the opposition ... In the last six games, Marquette opponents are shooting 34.8 percent from the floor (62-178) during the second half of play.
MARQUETTE PLAYER NOTES
# 2 Odartey Blankson * Has started 14 of 15 MU contests -- 23.6 minutes per game * No. 2 on team in rebounding (5.1 rpg) * Seven pts., team-high tying seven boards vs. S. Florida (1/17) * Nine points, three boards vs. North Carolina (1/13) * 12 points vs. W.Carolina (12/20) was second double- figure scoring effort of the year * Team's top rebounder in four games * 11 points, team-best nine boards vs. Minnesota (Dec. 7)
# 4 Cordell Henry
* Career-high 28 points (9-14 from floor) against Charlotte (1/20), his 8th double-figure scoring effort of season
* Averaging 17.7 ppg in his last three games
* 10 points and tied career high with seven rebounds vs. USF (1/17)
* Team's second-high scorer vs. N. Carolina with 13 points
* Career-high tying seven assists vs. DePaul (Jan. 6) -- 13 pts.
* 21 points vs. Western Carolina -- hit 7-of-10 from the floor in that game (3-of-3 in treys)
* Twelve straight games with at least one steal -- has team-high 18 thefts to his credit
* Blue & Gold Coca-Cola Classic All-Tourney Team, averaging 13.0 points and 3.5 assists in two games
* No. 1 on team in assists (3.47 apg)
* Notched 17 pts. vs. Centenary, 14 in the second half
# 5 Scott Merritt
* Three rebounds, three pts., vs. Charlotte (1/20)
* 11 points, second-high on the team, and five boards vs. Dayton (12/30)
* Has four double-figure scoring game
* First double-double of career with 11 points and season-best 13 rebounds vs. Western Carolina
* No. 3 on the team in rebounding (4.8 rpg)
* 33 offensive rebounds are No. 2 on the team
* Team-best 14 blocked shots -- has blocked shots in 12 games
* Picked up season-high 12 points vs. UALR (12/9)
# 12 Brian Barone
* Tied Marquette career-high with 10 points and led team with career-best seven rebounds vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 10)
* Averaging 17.5 minutes through the first 15 games, 23.6 mpg in last five -- 27 minutes vs. Charlotte (1/20) - 5points
* Played 24 minutes at DePaul (Jan. 6) and came up with three points and season-high four assists
* Has scored in seven of last eight games
* Has eight games of two or more assists
* Played 20 minutes vs. UMASS and scored seven points
# 55 Greg Clausen
* Has seen action in 13 games
* Three rebounds in nine minutes vs. Charlotte (1/20)
* Season-high four rebounds vs. DePaul (Jan. 6)
* Nine minutes against Xavier, and grabbed three boards
# 22 Brian Wardle
* Finished with 11 points vs. Charlotte (1/20), his 13th double- figure scoring effort of the year
* Registered a team-high 28 points vs. S. Florida (1/17)
* Team's leading scorer in four of last six games
* Averaging 18.7 points in last three games
* 27 points vs. DePaul (Jan. 6), hitting 11-of-16 from the floor (5-of-6 treys)
* 19-point 2nd halves vs. Dayton, DePaul & S. Florida
* Game-high 25 points vs. Dayton (12/30)
* Team-high 21-points vs. Xavier
* Has six contests of 20 or more points including 26 vs. UMASS and 23 vs. CS Northridge
* Team's top scorer in nine of 15 contests
* MVP of Blue & Gold Coca-Cola Classic with 37 points and10 rebounds vs. Centenary and CS Northridge
* Has 10 games of two or more treys
# 34 Jon Harris
* Good effort vs. South Florida (1/17) with eight points, six rebounds and season-high three assists
* Eight points, five boards, all on offensive end (24 min.) vs. Cincinnati (Jan. 10)
* Team-high six rebounds vs. Dayton (12/30), the second time this season he has led team
* Has five games of six or more rebounds
* Shooting 63.0 percent from the floor (34-of-54)
* Tied with Merritt for team's lead in rebounding vs. UMASS with nine
* Six offensive boards vs. Minnesota and finished with eight in that contest
* Season-high 10 points vs. Centenary
# 35 John Mueller
* Has started all 15 MU games
* Scored in 11 appearances including season-best six points vs. UC (1/10) in 19 minutes
* Three boards vs. DePaul (Jan. 6) in 10 minutes
* Five rebounds vs. UMASS (11/20)
* Season-high six rebounds in season opener vs. South Alabama
# 43 Oluoma Nnamaka
* Season-high 15 points, career-best 14 rebounds vs. Charlotte, his second double-double of the year (5th of career)
* 14 points (second high on team) vs. South Florida (1/17)
* Nine points, six boards in 34 mins. vs. Cincinnati (1/10)
* Team-best 11 pts. vs. Wisconsin and tied for team honors with six boards
* No. 1 on the team in rebounding with a 6.1 per-game mark
* 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds vs. Xavier
* Has scored in double figures in seven games
* First double-double of the year was 11 pts. and 11 rebs. vs. UALR (12/9)
* 36 offensive rebounds are No. 1 on the team and 15th in C-USA (2.40 orpg)
* Recorded 14 points vs. CS Northridge (12/2)
# 33 David Diggs
* Has played in 10 of MU's 15 games
* Hit first trey of the season and finished with three points vs. Western Carolina (12/20)
