Marquette University Athletics
2004-05 Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Released
8/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
?It?s an honor for Marquette University to host this event,? said Marquette head coach Tom Crean. ?College basketball fans in Milwaukee will have an opportunity to see three days of quality tournament-style basketball.?
Six teams, including Marquette, are confirmed for the event: Mississippi (SEC), Penn State (Big Ten), Air Force (Mountain West), Illinois State (Missouri Valley) and Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley). The BCA classic?s schedule and opening-round match-ups will be announced in September.
The remainder of the non-conference schedule is highlighted by a three-game stretch in mid-December during which the Golden Eagles will face powers from the Big Ten (Wisconsin), Pac-10 (Arizona) and Big 12 (Nebraska); the 43rd annual Pepsi Blue and Gold Classic; and state of Michigan homecoming for Brandon Bell, Chris Grimm and head coach Tom Crean.
?We have put together a very competitive non-conference schedule that will prepare us for the toughest Conference USA season in league history,? said Crean. ?The experience we will gain inside the first few weeks of the season will be a great test for our very young front line and hopefully benefit us down the road.?
?The three-game stretch in December when we face top programs from college basketball?s power conferences should give us a good indication of where we are as a team.?
After three consecutive days of play in the BCA Classic to open the season, MU returns to the court three days later hosting Sam Houston State on November 19th in the first round of the Pepsi Blue and Gold Classic. The Classic?s other opening round game features Kent State, coming off 20-wins and a postseason appearance in 2003-04, and Binghamton University (New York).
One week later, Marquette makes its only non-conference road trip when the team visits Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan on November 27.
MU?s post-Thanksgiving game with the suburban Detroit school marks the first time head coach Tom Crean, as well as players Brandon Bell and Chris Grimm, will compete in their home state for Marquette.
?I?m really excited for Brandon and Chris to have an opportunity to play in front of their friends and family,? said Crean. ?It is always special when players can return home for a game and something we try to do whenever possible.?
Marquette follows up its Michigan trip with home contests against Delaware State (Dec. 1) and South Dakota State (Dec. 7). South Dakota State won 118 games and made five consecutive postseason appearances at the Division II level since 1999, before moving to Division I for the upcoming season.
Marquette and Wisconsin will renew their rivalry for the 111th at the Bradley Center on December 11. The teams have split the previous two meetings, with each winning on its home court, including a 63-54 victory for MU in front of 18,677 in December 2002.
?The game with Wisconsin always promises to be an outstanding match-up and one that I know all the fans in the state look forward to seeing,? said Crean.
On December 18, Marquette will look to avenge last-year?s 10-point defeat in Tucson when it hosts Arizona. One of college basketball?s all-time most successful programs, the Wildcats return four-of-five starters and are coming off their 16th consecutive 20-win season. It will be the first meeting between the schools in Milwaukee since 1973, when Marquette defeated Arizona in the championship game of the Milwaukee Classic. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
?In my opinion Arizona is one of the top five teams in the nation this year,? said Crean. ?I have the utmost respect for Lute Olson and am thrilled to have a program such as his visit Milwaukee for the first time in 30 years.?
Big 12 member Nebraska, an NIT participant and winner of 18 games a year ago, visits the Bradley Center on December 21. The Cornhuskers return nine of their top-11 players from last year?s team that lost seven games by five points or less, and recorded victories over ranked-opponents Kansas and Texas Tech. The game is the first of a home and home series between the two schools, with Marquette returning the game in Lincoln next season.
?We are thrilled to add Nebraska, a school with such a rich athletic tradition, to our schedule,? said Crean. ?They are a deep, experienced and talented team that should compete for a Big 12 Championship this season.?
The Golden Eagles close out their non-conference schedule with 2004 MEAC Regular Season Champion Coppin State (Dec. 29) and IUPU-Fort Wayne (Jan. 2).
Start times for Marquette?s games will be announced in conjunction with the release of its Conference USA schedule.
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