Marquette Hosts Oregon Sunday In NIT Second Round

March 16, 2018

The Marquette University men's basketball team (20-13, 9-9 BIG?EAST) continues play in the 2018 National Invitation Tournament when the squad hosts Oregon (23-12, 10-8 Pac 12) in the second round on Sunday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. CT in the Al McGuire Center. ESPN2 will feature the national television broadcast, with Mitch Holthus (play-by-play) and Jason Capel (analyst) calling the action.

MU Adds To Extensive Postseason Resume

Marquette, which is making its 49th all-time postseason trip and 16th in the NIT, is among the nation's top programs in terms of championship appearances.

Marquette claimed the 1970 NIT title under Hall of Fame head coach Al McGuire and advanced to the title matchup in 1994-95 under head coach Mike Deane. MU claimed 65-53 win over St. John's in 1970, but fell to Virginia Tech (65-64, OT) in 1995. The team also finished runner-up in 1967 when it lost to Southern Illinois 71-56 in McGuire's third season as head coach.

Marquette is 22-14 all-time in its previous 15 appearances (tied for seventh most) in the event and ranks 11th all-time in NIT history in games played and ninth in wins.

Howard Leads Offense In NIT Opener

Marquette's players and coaches picked up their first postseason victory as a group Wednesday night with the program's 67-60 win over Harvard in the NIT First Round.

Guard Markus Howard led three players in double figure with 22 points and freshman Jamal Cain chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and three steals in 28 minutes off the bench. MU's effort at the defensive end resulted in 22 Harvard turnovers and the Crimson shot just 41.5 percent from the field as a team.

Wednesday's matchup at the Al McGuire Center, was the team's first since a non-conference outing against Alabama A&M in 2014-15.

Marquette Claimed Lone Matchup With Oregon

Marquette and Oregon have met on just one occasion and the result was a thrilling 16-15 win by MU on Jan. 4, 1928 at Marquette Gym.

Long-time head coach Frank Murray led the team to a 7-11 record that season, Floyd Razner was the team captain and Jim O'Donnell was the team's leading scorer (6.3 ppg.).

Marquette did host Oregon at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in the 2014 NCAA tournament and the Ducks fell to eventual Final Four participant Wisconsin in the second round.