
Marquette Madness Tips Off 2021-22 Hoops Seasons
10/1/2021 8:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Itejere wins dunk contest, Karlen wins skills competition
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University men's and women's basketball teams tipped off their respective 2021-22 campaign Friday night at the Al McGuire Center at Marquette Madness, the annual event that introducing the programs to the Blue and Gold faithful.
The night kicked off with MU's women's player introductions and head coach Megan Duffy welcomed Marquette nation back to the Al McGuire Center for the first time since the end of the 2019-20 season.
The women competed in a team skills contest. Forward Liza Karlen and her teammate (Vinny, a MU student) took first place with 19 seconds to spare on the 90-second competition.
First-year head coach Shaka Smart made his first appearance in front of the fans and after welcoming the fans, led the team through a series of drills prior to serving as emcee for the dunk contest.
Oso Ighodaro and Kur Kuath opened the drills with a tiring dunk drill, with Kuath claiming the win courtesy of his 40 dunks. Following power pickup, Kuath, Emarion Ellis, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Keeyan Itejere star in the MU dunk contest. Keeyan Itejere came out victorious with two show stopping dunks.
The MU dance team, MU women's basketball team, and MU men's basketball partook in a dance competition, with women's team taking the victory in a narrow decision.
To end the night, the teams and two student fans took part in pop-a-shot contest. Senior Lauren Van Kleunen and redshirt freshman Justin Lewis took the win with their teammate, Jake, a Marquette student.
The men's team opens their season Nov. 9 vs SIUE at Fiserv Forum. Tipoff is at 7:30pm CT.
The women's team opens their season Nov. 9 vs. Alcorn State at the Al McGuire Center. Tipoff time is still to be announced.
The night kicked off with MU's women's player introductions and head coach Megan Duffy welcomed Marquette nation back to the Al McGuire Center for the first time since the end of the 2019-20 season.
The women competed in a team skills contest. Forward Liza Karlen and her teammate (Vinny, a MU student) took first place with 19 seconds to spare on the 90-second competition.
First-year head coach Shaka Smart made his first appearance in front of the fans and after welcoming the fans, led the team through a series of drills prior to serving as emcee for the dunk contest.
Oso Ighodaro and Kur Kuath opened the drills with a tiring dunk drill, with Kuath claiming the win courtesy of his 40 dunks. Following power pickup, Kuath, Emarion Ellis, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Keeyan Itejere star in the MU dunk contest. Keeyan Itejere came out victorious with two show stopping dunks.
The MU dance team, MU women's basketball team, and MU men's basketball partook in a dance competition, with women's team taking the victory in a narrow decision.
To end the night, the teams and two student fans took part in pop-a-shot contest. Senior Lauren Van Kleunen and redshirt freshman Justin Lewis took the win with their teammate, Jake, a Marquette student.
The men's team opens their season Nov. 9 vs SIUE at Fiserv Forum. Tipoff is at 7:30pm CT.
The women's team opens their season Nov. 9 vs. Alcorn State at the Al McGuire Center. Tipoff time is still to be announced.
Players Mentioned
Sean Jones-Chase Ross Open Practice Media Availability
Friday, August 01
Shaka Smart Open Practice Media Availability
Friday, August 01
An Evening With #MUBB In Chicago
Friday, August 01
Shaka Smart SportsCenter Interview
Saturday, July 26