Marquette University Athletics
Matchups Key to NCAA First Round Contest
3/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 15, 2006
MILWAUKEE - Quotes from Monday's teleconference.
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If you listen to the coaches, Thursday morning's first-round NCAA Tournament game between seventh seeded Marquette and 10th seeded Alabama is a game of mismatches.
Alabama's two-player inside punch of Jermareo Davidson (14.1 points 9.0 rebounds) and Richard Hendrix (15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds) are going to give the Golden Eagles problems.
"We don't match up with their rebounding. We really don't. They've been rebounding at such a high level," Crean said.
Of course, Marquette's three guard lineup which features a fourth perimeter player in 6-10 forward Steve Novak -- the BIG EAST's top three point shooter -- gives Alabama problems.
"They are a tough matchup team because they play with three smaller players and Novak becomes the fourth perimeter player, which really creates matchup issues for us with Jermareo and Richard on the floor defensively," Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried said.
Given that the coaches admit to matchup problems, this first round game (scheduled for 11:40 p.m. PST at Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl in San Diego, Calif.) might be one of the better contests.
While not having played each other since the 1955-56 season, it's not like the two teams won't know the ins and outs the their opponents. Film sessions have been ongoing since the moment the teams were paired. But it goes beyond that. The two coaches are related by marriage and have a history that extends well beyond their days at their respective school's. Crean's father-in-law, Jack Harbaugh, is a cousin of Gottfried's. That has given the two coaches a more intimate knowledge of each other.
"The Harbaughs and the Gottfrieds all grew up together in Crestline, Ohio. So there are a lot of deep rooted feelings and togetherness there. Again, I'm just an outsider who married into the family, but I was welcomed in it," Crean said. "(Mark) is such a good person and is so well rounded. I just have a lot of respect for him. Even if we weren't related by marriage or friends the way we are, I'd have a ton of respect for him with way he runs his program and as a coach."
Given the relationship of the coaches, it might be even that better of a contest, with each on striving for familial bragging rights.
"There's a ton of respect there on both ends. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that Mark and I have a mutual friendship and a mutual respect for each other, but at the same time, he'll be doing everything to win as will we," Crean added.
For Marquette to win, they will have to deal with a solid inside game from Alabama and a bevy of freshman talent.
Hendrix is a force inside, grabbing 9.3 rebounds per game in Southeast Conference play. Davidson grabbed 9.0 boards over the course of the season.
"We have to do a great job with our fours and fives and even our guards of blocking out. We're going to give up a little bit in weight and certainly a lot in height when it comes to perimeter positions, but we have to be really strong and solid and make it a challenge for them to rebound," Crean said. "Those guys are two of the best four or five rebounders in the country from what I've seen this year. They are really quick and athletic to the glass."
Like Marquette, Alabama relies on three freshmen to be a big part of their rotation. Hendrix started 20 games this season. Brandon Hollinger started 16 and Alonzo Gee started seven times, playing in all 29.
"Alonzo is on fire right now, shooting the ball really well. He's averaging 14 points in his last five games," Crean said. "Brandon Hollinger totally understands what he's doing right now. So those three freshmen are a little like ours. They are not playing that way. We got our players attention this morning when we started talking about Richard Hendrix getting 17 rebounds against Florida."
For Alabama, as it has been for most Marquette's opponents this season, the real challenge will be stopping Novak.
"He is something else. He's a player that when you start watching him on tape, you're a little bit in awe and amazed that a guy like that can shoot it as quickly as he shoots it," Gottfried said. "When he comes off screens, he's phenomenal. His size and his height makes it such a difficult matchup."
Also, Alabama will have to deal with Marquette's quickness in the back court. That starts with BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Dominic James.
"He would be a great player in this league. He's one of the best freshman guards in the nation. He has put up impressive numbers for a freshman. Really all three of their freshmen have," Gottfried said. "I really like him. He's strong, quick, gets to the basket. He's strong and kind of compact. He can beat you off the dribble. He can make threes and he's been an impressive player watching him and realizing that he's just a freshman."
The winner of the Marquette/Alabama game will meet the winner of second seeded UCLA and 15th seeded Belmont in the second round of the Oakland region on Saturday, March 18 in San Diego.
