Marquette Battles Southern Miss

Jan. 29, 2001

Game Date -- Jan. 30, 2001

Site - Milwaukee, Wis. - Bradley Center (19,150)

Tipoff - 7:05 p.m. CST

Radio - Marquette Basketball Radio Network (Steve "The Homer" True, Play-by-Play, George Thompson, Analyst)

Television - None

Probable Marquette Starters (subject to change)

G #4 - Cordell Henry (Jr., 5-10, 160, Chicago, Ill.) 11.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.9 apg -- Career-high 11 assists vs. Tulane (Jan. 27)

G #22 - Brian Wardle (Sr., 6-5, 205, Clarendon Hills, Ill.) 18.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.4 apg -- Shooting 54.1% from 3pt. range in last four games (13-of-24)

F #43 - Oluoma Nnamaka (Jr., 6-7, 218, Uppsala, Sweden) 9.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg -- 77.8% from free throw line is No. 2 on the squad

F #2 - Odartey Blankson (Fr., 6-7, 205, Country Club Hills, Ill.) 5.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg -- Season-best 16 points vs. Tulane -- 6-of-10 from the floor

C #35 - John Mueller (Sr., 6-10, 240, Cedarburg, Wis.) 2..1 ppg, 1.6 rpg -- Has started 48 of the team's last 49 games

Probable Southern Miss Starters

F #25- Kilavorus Thompson (Sr., 6-7, 220, 7.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

C #32 - Vandarel Jones (Sr., 6-9, 230, 11.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg)

G #30 - David Wall (Sr., 6-5, 225, 15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

G #21 - Mario Myles (So., 6-5, 190, 6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

G #20 - Mel Cauthen (Sr., 6-0, 170, 5.4 ppg, 3.2 apg)

Series Notes -- Marquette holds a 4-2 edge in the all-time series against Southern Miss that saw the first game played in 1980-81 ... USM has won two of the three meetings played in Milwaukee including a 59-50 decision in 1999 ... Last season Marquette posted a 79-67 triumph in Hattiesburg.

Game Info

After coming up with a win over Tulane on Saturday, the Marquette basketball team closes out the month of January on Tuesday (Jan. 30) with a home date against Southern Miss. The Bradley Center (19,150) will serve as the site of the seventh meeting between Marquette and USM and tipoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. (CST). Following the Southern Miss test, Marquette plays at Memphis on Friday (Feb. 2) in an ESPN game starting at 6:05 p.m. (CST).

The Records

The Golden Eagles head into its game against Southern Miss with an overall record of 10-7 including a 5-1 C-USA mark, good for first place in the American Division. Marquette, winners of its last two and three of the last four, is coming off a 82-57 victory at home over Tulane on Saturday, the program's largest margin of victory since an 85-51 win over Morgan State on Nov. 16, 1998. The decision was MU's biggest C-USA win in terms of point differential since a 66-40 win over Tulane on Feb. 1, 1998.

Marquette shot a C-USA single-game record 80.0 percent from three-point range (12-of-15) while finishing the contest shooting a season-high 54.3 percent from the floor (25-of-46) in the win over the Green Wave. The Golden Eagles led by eight points, 49-41, with 10:52 remaining and then used a 21-5 run over the next four minutes to put the game out of reach, 70-46, with 6:40 on the clock. Keying the outburst were three three-point field goals by senior Brian Barone who finished with a career-high 17 points. Barone also finished with a team-leading four rebounds. Senior Brian Wardle ended the afternoon with a game-high 23 points while freshman Odartey Blankson totaled a season and career-high 16 points, connecting on six-of-10 from the floor including four-of-five from beyond the arc.

Southern Miss, 15-4 in overall play, 5-2 in C-USA, saw a five-game win streak come to an end on Saturday when it came out on the short end of a 71-60 decision at Charlotte. This year, USM stands 6-4 in road/neutral contests.

Golden Eagles Rain Down 3's on Tulane

Marquette's 80.0 percent mark (12-of-15) from three-point range not only established a C-USA single-game mark, but also set a school standard, bettering the previous mark of 70 percent (7-of-10) against Rice on Dec. 2, 1988. The dozen treys were just one shy of tying Marquette's single-game C-USA record of 13 (vs. Louisville, Feb. 28, 1996). The squad's collective marksmanship from beyond the arch bettered the previous conference mark of 75 percent (9-of-12) set by Southern Miss this year for overall games and the 66.7 (10-of-15) percent effort by Southern Miss vs. DePaul in 1998 for league outings.

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 20-8 (19-6 at the Bradley Center, 1-2 at the Milwaukee Arena). He is 1-0 against Southern Miss. 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 25-21/2nd season Tom Crean's Career Record 25-21/2nd season

Marquette Hitting The Boards

Marquette has outrebounded 10 opponents (9-1 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 six games this season (1-5). In MU's most recent game, Tulane recorded a 33-27 edge on the boards. The Golden Eagles hold a 34.2-31.1 per-game edge in rebounding and stand tied for fourth (through games played Jan. 28) in C-USA in rebound margin (+3.1). 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.

Southern Miss Head Coach James Green

James Green (Mississippi, `83) is in his fifth year as a head coach of Southern Miss. Entering the Marquette game, he has a school and career ledger of 80-58. Last season, Green guided USM to an overall record of 17-12. Prior to his current post, Green served as an assistant coach at Iowa State (1994-96) and before his tenure with the Cyclones, Green was an assistant coach at Alabama, 1992-94.

Blankson Hits Paydirt

Freshman Odartey Blankson came up with his biggest effort of the season on Saturday against Tulane, registering a season/career best 16 points and six steals in 27 minutes. Blankson sank six-of-10 from the floor, including four-of five from three-point range en route to his point total. His six steals were the most by a Marquette player since Oluoma Nnamaka registered six thefts against Louisville on Jan. 13, 1999.

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 (#4 North Carolina and #16 Wisconsin) while four others received votes. Through Jan. 28, Marquette, ranked 55th in the RPI, has played or will play seven 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 Tulane Game

MU's 20 free throws against Tulane marked the third straight and fifth outing of the campaign with 20 or makes from the charity stripe -- last season the most free throws Marquette made in any games was 18 (twice) ... MU finished the Tulane game shooting a season-best 54.3 percent from the floor, the second-highest mark during Crean's tenure as head coach ... The 12 steals were the most by a Marquette squad since Feb. 27, 1999, when the team finished with 14 vs. Houston ... MU's 46 points in the second half against Tulane marked the fifth time this year that the team had scored 40 or more points in a half.

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 17 games, recording a total of 378 attempts from the charity stripe (22.2/per game) MU has attempted 23 or more from the foul line in nine 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 22-8 in contests when finishing with 15 or more free throw attempts (9-6 this year). After 17 games last year, MU had attempted 314 free throws.

MU Tidbits

Through games played Jan. 28,, MU holds down the No. 2 spot in C-USA and is tied for 18th nationally in scoring defense (61.5 ppg) ... After 16 games last season, the Golden Eagles had converted 199 free throws compared to 256 this year ... In the last three games, Marquette is shooting 76.4 percent (68-of-89) from the foul line ... MU has held the opposition to 10 or fewer field goals in a total of 15 of 34 halves ... MU has allowed just four 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 & Saint Louis, 50.%, 2nd half) ... MU has registered seven games of six or more steals ... Marquette is 5-0 this year when recording 15 or more assists, 12-3 during Crean's tenure ... In the last two games, Marquette is shooting 67.8% (19-of-28) from three-point range.

Inside the Numbers

Marquette led Tulane, 36-28, snapping an eight-game streak where it trailed at halftime ... After being outscored in the second half in five of its first seven games, Marquette has outscored the opposition during the second half in nine of the last 11 games ... In the last three contests, the Golden Eagles enjoy a 44.0-32.7 scoring advantage in the second half ... In Marquette's 10 wins, it holds a 36.2-27.3 per-game edge in rebounding (+8.9) ... In the squad's seven losses, the Golden Eagles are being outrebounded by a a 36.6-31.4 margin ... Through 17 games, Marquette is averaging 13.7 turnovers compared to the opposition's mark of 12.5 ... 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, 4-2 when registering fewer miscues ... Marquette has outshot 11 of its 17 opponents from the floor and is 8-3 in those games ... MU posts a 12.3 -11.3 per-game advantage in offensive rebounds, and claims 13 games of 10 or more offensive rebounds this year ... Marquette is averaging 26.4 points during the first half of play (26.4 for the opposition) and 36.8 during the second half (35.1 for opponents) ... MU has held opponents to 20 or fewer points in a half on four occasions ... In its 10 victories, MU enjoys a 67.2-57.1 scoring advantage and has shot 44.9 percent (228 of-508) from the floor while limiting the opposition to 39.7 percent (202-of-509) ... 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 14.4 assists in its nine wins, 8.4 in losses.

Brian Wardle Notes

Named C-USA Player of the Week (Jan. 7) after totaling 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting vs. DePaul ... Team-high 18.1 points per game average is good for the No. 3 spot in C-USA through Jan. 28 ... Averaging 19.1 points and shooting 46.9 percent from the floor in MU's 10 wins ... Has eight games of 20 or more points this year and 24 during his career ... Fourth in the league in free throw percentage (.831), and three-point field goal percentage (.432) while holding down the No. 5 position in three-point field goals made (2.24 tpg).

Marquette Leads C-USA In Nailbiters

After 17 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 four of the last five and seven of the last nine 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 46 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 eight games and stands 7-1 in those contests, 14-1 during Crean's tenure as head coach ... The Golden Eagles have two or more blocked shots in 11 of 17 games this season however the team has just three block in the last four outings ... Marquette has not allowed any of its first 17 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 (.401) ... Marquette has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in three of the last four and in a total of five games this year (4-1).

Marquette Tough on the Trey

After seeing its first two opponents shoot 39.2 percent (11-of-28) from three-point range, Marquette has held its last 15 foes to a combined 25.9 percent (69-of-266). The Golden Eagles have held their last seven of their last nine foes to under 30 percent from three-point range, six of those to 25 or less percent. Cincinnati shot 23.1% from beyond the arc (entered game shooting 32.0%) against Marquette, and DePaul just 16.7 percent (3-of-18) compared to its standard of 37.3 percent prior to the game. North Carolina finished at 29.4% vs. 35.4 percent prior to the game while USF was 21.1% (4-19) compared to 30.1 percent. Charlotte's effort of 36 percent (Jan. 20) was the best opponent effort since Western Carolina's 39.1 percent back on Dec. 20). Tulane finished with a meager 15.4 percent (2-of-13), a Marquette opponent low. Through Jan. 28, Marquette was No. 1 in C-USA in three-point field goal percentage defense (.263).

Checking Marquette in the Conference USA Stats -- through Jan. 28 games

Team

Scoring Offense 12th - 63.3ppg

Scoring Defense 2nd - 61.5 ppg

Scoring Margin 8th - +1.8 ppg

Field Goal % 11th - 42.0%

Field Goal % Defense 3rd - 40.1%

3-Point Field Goal % 2nd - 37.8%

3-Point Field Goal% Def. 1st - 26.3%

Free Throw % t-6th - 67.7%

Rebounding 11th - 34.2 rpg

Rebounding Margin 4th - +3.1 rpg