Marquette University Athletics
Marquette Basketball Hosts Charlotte On Thursday Night
2/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2003
Game Data
Site - Milwaukee, Wis. * Bradley Center (19,150)
Tipoff - 8:05 p.m. CST
Radio - Marquette Radio Network (Steve "The Homer" True, Play-by-Play; George Thompson, Analysis) -- website: www.newstalk1130.com
Television - ESPN2 (Mark Jones, Play-by-Play; Larry Conley, Analysis)
Probable Marquette Starters (subject to change)
G #34 - Travis Diener (So., 6-1, 165, Fond du Lac, Wis.) 11.0 ppg; 3.1 rpg, 5.68 apg -- No. 2 in C-USA in assists; Leads team with 41 three-point field goals
G #3 - Dwyane Wade (Jr., 6-5, 210, Robbins, Ill.) 21.2 ppg; 5.7 rpg; 3.77 apg; 2.13 spg -- C-USA leading scorer (21.8 ppg); Team lead with 15 points and nine rebounds vs. Louisville
F #5 - Scott Merritt (Jr., 6-10, 245, Wauwatosa, Wis.) 9.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg -- No. 2 on squad in rebounds -- Team-high 105 defensive rebounds
F #1 - Todd Townsend (So., 6-7, 215, Chicago, Ill.) 7.2 ppg; 2.8 rpg -- No. 2 on squad with 30 treys; Seven games of double-figure scoring this year
F #55 - Robert Jackson (Sr., 6-10, 260, Milwaukee, Wis.) 15.7 ppg; 7.5 rpg -- No. 2 in C-USA in FG% (.552); Has scored in double figures a team-high 21 times this year
Probable Charlotte Starters (subject to change)
F # 15 - Vincent Grier (Fr., 6-6, 195, 5.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
F # 35 - Calvin Clemmons (Jr., 6-8, 250, 6.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
C # 55 - Tory Reed (Jr., 6-8, 240, 4.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
G # 11 - Demon Brown (Jr., 6-1, 195, 18.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
G # 20 - Mitchell Baldwin (Fr., 6-2, 180, 4.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
Series Notes - Charlotte holds an 11-9 lead in the all-time series that started in the 1977 NCAA Tournament. Earlier this year (Jan. 18), the Golden Eagles claimed their first win in nine attempts on the Charlotte campus when they came away with a 67-64 win at Halton Arena. Junior Dwyane Wade scored 20 points to lead the MU scoring attack while junior Scott Merritt and sophomore Travis Diener registered 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Statistical Comparison
Game Info
Marquette CharlotteScoring Avg. 78.1 ppg 70.6 ppgScoring Def. 66.2 ppg 69.7 ppgScoring Margin +11.9 ppg +0.9Rebounding Avg. 36.8 rpg 37.9 rpgReb. Margin +4.7 +0.7FG% 48.0% 40.5%Opp FG% 40.0% 43.8%3 Pt. FG% 36.7% 33.9%FT% 76.4% 63.0%
After seeing its 10-game win streak snapped this past Saturday, the Marquette basketball team looks to get back into the win column on Thursday (Feb. 20) when it hosts Charlotte. Al McGuire Court at the Bradley Center (19,150) will serve as the site of the 21st meeting between the two schools and tipoff is slated for 8:05 p.m. (CST).
The MU-Charlotte game will be televised by ESPN2. Providing play-by-play will be Mark Jones while Larry Conley contributes analysis.
The Records
Marquette, ranked 11th by the Associated Press and 12th by ESPN/USA Today, takes an 18-4 overall record (9-2 C-USA) into the Charlotte game. In its most recent performance, Marquette saw its 10-game win streak come to an end when it came out on the short end of a 73-70 home decision against Louisville, snapping the program's 28-game home court win streak.
Played before a Marquette record crowd of 18,850 (the largest crowd ever to see a college game in the state of Wisconsin), the Golden Eagles and Cardinals waged a hotly contested game. All totaled, the score was deadlocked 16 times, the lead changed hands on 20 occasions and neither team led by more than six points with the largest margin during the second half being four points.
Marquette used 11 first-half points by freshman Steve Novak to take a slim 36-35 lead into the locker room at halftime. MU reserves played key role in the first half by accounting for 20 points with junior Terry Sanders (6 pts.) and freshman Joe Chapman (3 pts.) picking up the remaining points.
Louisville held a four-point lead, 67-63, with 1:55 remaining before a pair of free throws by Dwyane Wade cut the gap to one point, 68-67, with 1:01 on the clock. After a pair of charity tosses by the Cardinals upped the lead to 70-67 with 29 ticks remaining, sophomore Travis Diener buried a clutch three-pointer with 10 seconds left that knotted the game. However, Louisville's Reece Gaines drained a three-pointer with five seconds on the clock that proved to be the difference with MU's final attempt to tie the game falling short.
Marquette was led in scoring and rebounding by Wade with 15 points and nine boards while Diener totaled 13 points and eight assists.
Charlotte comes to town with an overall record of 10-12, 5-5 in C-USA action. The 49ers have won their last two games and are coming off a 74-64 win at home against Cincinnati last Saturday.
Marquette Defense Picking Up The Pace
Over the last three games, Marquette has held its opponent to less than its points average as well as field goal percentage. In the Louisville game, the Cards came in averaging 82.8 points and shooting 47.7% while finishing the game with 73 points while hitting 41.3% from the floor. In the DePaul game, the Blue Demons were averaging 66.7 points and shooting 44.5% from the floor before finishing with 60 points and a mark of 34.5% from the field. Wake Forest came to the Bradley Center with a scoring average of 80.9 points to go along with a 46.4 field goal percentage and recorded 61 points while shooting 33.3% from the floor.
Wade Continues March Up MU Charts
MU's Dwyane Wade's 15 points against Louisville increased his career total to 1,038, good for 31st place on the school's all-time list. Wade is now eyeing Chris Crawford's ('93-97) 28th-place mark of 1,048 points. In addition, Dwyane is 10th in career steals at MU with 126.
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. 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. He is 3-4 all-time vs. Charlotte
In games played in Milwaukee, Crean stands 49-11 (47-9 at the Bradley Center, 2-2 at the U.S. Cellular Arena).
Tom Crean's Marquette Record 74-39/4th season Tom Crean's Career Record 74-39/4th season
Jackson Making An Impact
Senior Robert Jackson has made a significant impact for Marquette this season and checks into the Charlotte affair second on the squad and tied for 10th in C-USA(through Feb. 18) in scoring (15.7 ppg) and first on the team in rebounding (7.5 rpg), good for 10th among league players. The 6-foot-10 Jackson's 14 points vs. Louisville marked his 21st game of double-figure scoring this year (team high). He has pulled down a team-high 75 offensive rebounds and his 3.41 offensive rebounds per-game average is good for fourth place in C-USA (through Feb. 18). Finally, his team-high 55.2 field goal percentage holds down the the No. 2 spot among C-USA players (through Feb. 18).
More Notes From Louisville
Marquette shot 95.5 percent from the foul line, knocking down 21-of-22 attempts ... The setback to the Cardinals snapped Marquette's 32-game win streak dating from the latter stages of 2000-01 when finishing a game with more free throw attempts -- MU attempted 22 from the foul line compared to Louisville's 19 ... Junior Terry Sanders tied his season high with eight points ... MU's 41 boards established a season high in a league game this year ... The Golden Eagles' 15 offensive rebounds represented the sixth consecutive game where they posted double digits on the offensive glass.
40 A Magic Number On The Glass
Marquette has grabbed 40 or more rebounds in seven games this year and shows a 5-2 won-lost ledger in those affairs, 23-5 during Coach Crean's tenure. Last year, MU posted a 6-0 record when registering 40 or more rebounds.
Charlotte Head Coach Bobby Lutz
Bobby Lutz (UNC Charlotte, '80) is in his fifth season as head coach of Charlotte and claims a school record of 90-62. In 14 years as a college head coach, Lutz has a career mark of 270-151.
Wade An All-Around Threat
Dwyane Wade, who ranks first among C-USA players and 28th nationally in scoring (21.2 ppg), has 13 outings of 20 or more points this year. Career-wise, Wade has totaled 1,038 points in 54 games (19.2 ppg) and his 481 career points in C-USA action is good for sixth place on the school's list. While Wade's scoring exploits are impressive, he is No. 2 on the team and No. 10 in C-USA (through Feb. 18) in assists (3.77 apg), first on the team and third in the league (through Feb. 18) in steals (2.13 spg) and No. 2 on the club and 9th in the loop in field goal shooting (50.9%). Wade has 14th multi-steal games this year and seventh of three or more thefts.
Odds and Ends
Dwyane Wade has scored in double figures in 51 of his 54 career games ... Wade has two double doubles this season and four in his career ... Marquette has allowed one opponent this year (Notre Dame) and just two of its last 45 foes to shoot 50 percent or better from the floor ... The Golden Eagles own a 29-4 record during Crean's tenure when shooting 50 percent or better from the floor (8-0 in '02-03, 12-0 in 2001-02) ... In its 13 home games, MU is shooting 50.2 percent from the field vs. 39.1 percent for opponents ... In addition, the Golden Eagles are shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc (75-of-199) vs. 32.3 percent (83-of-257) for the opposition ... MU has held 79 of its last 84 opponents to less than 50 percent from the floor ... MU stands 35-5 during Crean's stint as head coach when registering 15 or more assists (11-2 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 17 of 22 foes over the final 20 minutes this year ... Since last year, MU owns a 33-4 mark when finishing a game with the same or fewer number of turnovers than the opposition ... Marquette has outshot the opposition in 32 of 44 halves (opponents have shot better in one overtime stanza) ... Robert Jackson's 15-point, 10-rebound effort against DePaul was his fifth double double at Marquette and 19th of his college career ... In its 18 wins, MU holds a 37.0-30.1 edge in rebounding compared to a 35.8-41.3 disadvantage in its four setbacks ... The Golden Eagles are averaging 36.3 points in the first half of play and 41.8 points during the final 20 minutes of action/overtime ... Opponents are averaging 30.2 points during the opening 20 minutes and 36.0 in the second half/ot ... MU is 10-1 this year when shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range, 22-2 since last season ... Marquette has scored 50 or more points in a half on six occasions this year compared to four last year ... Opponents have attempted more three-point field goals than MU in 15 games ... Marquette is No. 1 among C-USA teams and tied for 8th nationally (through Feb. 18) in free throw shooting with a 76.4 percent effort ... The Golden Eagles have shot 75 percent or better from the foul line in 15 of the last 19 games and the team is hitting at a 79.5 clip (97-of-122) over the last five games ... In the last five games, MU has 30 steals vs. 25 for the opposition.
Streaks & Last Time It Happened
Consecutive Games - Scott Merritt - 84
Consecutive Starts - Dwyane Wade - 42
Consecutive Double-Figure Scoring Games - Robert Jackson - 6
Consecutive Games with a Three-Pointer - Travis Diener - 7
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 30+ Points - Dwyane Wade (35) vs. Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Scored 20+ Points - Travis Diener (21) vs. Saint Louis - Feb. 5, 2003
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Rebounds - Robert Jackson (10) vs. DePaul - Feb. 12, 2003
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) - Robert Jackson (15-10) vs. DePaul - Feb. 12, 2003
The Last Time a Golden Eagle Had 10+ Assists - Travis Diener (12) vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003
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. DePaul - Jan. 25, 2003
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 - (59.1%, 26-44) vs. Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003
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 - 26 vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003
The Last Time Marquette Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - 26 vs. South Florida - Jan. 11, 2003
The Last Time an Opponent Had 20 or more Assists in a Game - Tulane (21) - Jan. 14, 2003
The Last Time An Opponent Scored 40+ points - Larry Hughes (40) - St. Louis - Jan. 24, 1998
The Last Time an Opponent Scored 30+ Points - Waitari Marsh (30) - Tulane - Jan. 14, 2003
The Last Time an Opponent Scored 20+ Points - Reece Gaines (20) - Louisville - Feb. 15, 2003
The Last Time an Opponent Had 10+ Rebounds - Ellis Myles (14) - Louisville - Feb. 15, 2003
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) - Sam Hoskin (16-12) - DePaul - Feb. 12, 2003
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 - Leonard Stokes (12) - Cincinnati - Feb. 1, 2003
The Last Time A Marquette Opponent Had 5 or Fewer Turnovers - S. Florida (5) - Feb. 22, 1998
The Last Time Marquette Did Not Make A Three-Point Field Goal - vs. Wisconsin - Dec. 23, 2000
The Last Time An Opponent Did Not Make A Three-Point Field Goal - Minnesota - Nov. 23, 1999
Playing With The Lead
During Crean's stay at Marquette, the Golden Eagles have been tough to beat when leading at halftime. Marquette stands 56-10 when leading at intermission (15-2 in '02-03, 21-1 last year). The only games MU has lost this year when leading at the break have been at East Carolina, Dec. 30 (MU led 35-33 at half), and Louisville, (Feb. 15, MU led 36-35 at half)
Rebound Notes
Tom Crean-coached Marquette teams have always stressed rebounding with the Golden Eagles outrebounding 73 of 113 foes during his tenure. MU shows a 60-13 mark under Crean when outboarding the opposition (14-2 in '02-03, 19-3 during 2001-02). Through Feb. 18, MU stood No. 2 in C-USA in rebound margin (+4.7) in overall play and league action (+4.6). Last year, MU stood No. 3 among C-USA teams in rebound margin (+4.5) in overall and league (+2.7) play.
70 A Magic Number
During Coach Crean's tenure as head coach, Marquette stands 43-9 when scoring 70 or more points (12-4 in 2002-03). The 2001-02 campaign saw the Golden Eagles post a 20-1 mark in such games and they show a 40-8 effort since 2000-01.
Inside The Numbers
Marquette has outshot 16 of 22 foes from the field this year and stands 15-1 in those games, 39-2 since the 2001-02 season ... Through 22 games, the Golden Eagles average 12.22 turnovers vs. 12.6 for the opposition ... After 22 games, Marquette averages 15.6 trey attempts vs. 20.7 for opponents.
Marquette Among National Leaders in Stat Categories
Through games played Feb. 18, Marquette found itself among the national leaders in a couple of statistical categories. The Golden Eagles were tied for 8th in free throw percentage (.763) and stood 17th in scoring margin (+11.9). In NCAA statistics released Feb. 17, the Golden Eagles were 30th in scoring offense (78.1 ppg), 19th in field goal percentage (48.0%) and 23rd in field goal percentage defense (40.0%).
Home Cookin' Suits Marquette Just Fine
The 73-70 loss to Louisville snapped Marquette's 28-game home win streak, which was the second longest in school history. The all-time mark in that category is 81 straight wins (tied for fifth longest in NCAA history) set from 1967 through 1973.
So far this year, Marquette has averaged 81.0 points in its 13 home contests compared to 62.4 points for the opposition. In addition, the Golden Eagles have connected on 77.7 percent from the foul line (224-of-301) and 50.2 percent from the floor compared to 39.1 percent for the opposition.
Last Call
During Crean's tenure as head coach, Marquette has a 17-2 won-lost slate when shooting 30 or more free throws (1-0 in '99-00; 5-2 in 2000-01, 6-0 in '01-02 and 5-0 in 2002-03) ... Marquette has held 10 opponents to less than 40 percent from the floor this year and stands 9-1 in those contests, 22-2 since the 2001-02 campaign ... In the last five games, the Golden Eagles are shooting 33.7 percent from three-point range (28-of-83) compared to the opposition's effort of 27.7 percent (28-of-101).
Coach Crean On The Air
The Tom Crean Radio Show can be heard on Monday evenings, 7:30 - 8:00 pm on WISN Radio (1130 AM). The host of the show is the radio voice of Golden Eagle Basketball, Steve "The Homer" True. The Tom Crean Television Show airs on WDJT-TV (Ch. 58) on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. The host of the show is Pat Hughes. The following is a schedule of the dates of the remaining shows.
Saturday, Feb. 22 Saturday, Mar. 1
Marquette Attendance Climbs
Heading into the Charlotte game, Marquette has averaged 14,848 fans for its 13 home dates. The school is on pace to set a seasonal attendance record in 2002-03 with the previous mark being 14,347 set during the 1993-94 campaign. Home attendance averages have jumped considerably since Crean has taken over the porgram. In his first season (1999-2000), home attendance was 9,971 per game before increasing to 11,194 in 2000-01. Last year, Marquette averaged 12,611 over 16 home dates.
