WBB Hosts RV Villanova on Wednesday

MILWAUKEE — The Marquette women's basketball team (9-3, 2-1 BIG EAST) returns to BIG EAST play as it wraps up a four-game home stand this week against Villanova (10-3, 1-1 BIG EAST) on Wednesday, Dec. 28. The Golden Eagles and the Wildcats will tip-off at 7 p.m. (CT) from the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee. The game will be broadcast by BIG EAST Digital Network on FloHoops with Bob Brainerd (play-by-play) and Michelle Griffin Wenzel (analyst) on the call. Live stats and stream links are available at GoMarquette.com.

In the team's most recent outing, Marquette wrapped up non-conference play as it suffered its first home loss of the year to Colorado, 71-48. Despite finding late rhythm and playing a nearly even second half, the Golden Eagles were unable to overcome a slow start in which saw them score just 13 points and shoot 18.2 percent (6-for-33) in the first half of action.

The Wildcats enter the contest with a 10-3 record and on the fringes of the AP Poll after having a strong showing in non-conference play. They have split their two BIG EAST contests, losing to Creighton before winning at Providence. Most recently, Nova posted an 88-51 home win over La Salle on Wednesday.

Villanova is led by senior forward Maddy Siegrist. The reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year ranks second in the NCAA in scoring with 28.0 points per game, and second in the league in rebounding with 9.7 boards per contest. Sophomore guard Lucy Olsen averages 4.1 assists per game.

Marquette and Villanova have met up 30 times in a series which began in 2006, the Golden Eagles leading 18-12. The Wildcats swept the two meetings between the squads last season, winning in Milwaukee 58-55 before posting a 74-63 overtime win in Villanova.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS

• Villanova enters Wednesday's contest with a 10-3 mark on the season, and a 1-1 start to BIG EAST play.

• In 2021-22 the Wildcats went 24-9 overall and 15-4 in league play to finish second in the BIG EAST. They went on to make it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

• VU has split its two league contests this season, losing to Creighton before winning at Providence.

• Villanova is 5-0 in true road games this season.

• The team has been led statistically this year by senior forward Maddy Siegrist. The reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year ranks second in the NCAA in scoring with 28.0 points per game, and second in the league in rebounding with 9.7 boards per contest. Sophomore guard Lucy Olsen averages 4.1 assists per game.

• The Buffs rank second in the NCAA with just 10.1 turnovers per game, and 4th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.55).

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST VILLANOVA

• Wednesday's meeting will be the 31st all-time between Marquette and Villanova, a series which began in 2006.

• Marquette holds an 18-12 lead in the series, including an 8-5 mark against the Wildcats in Milwaukee.

• The Wildcats swept last year's season series in a pair of close games, earning a 55-58 win in Milwaukee before posting a 74-63 overtime victory in Villanova.

• MU has won 10 of the past 13 meetings.

Last 5 Meetings

DATE LOCATION RESULT SCORE

2/11/22 A L 63-74, OT

1/16/22 H L 55-58

2/19/21 H W 65-57

1/27/21 A W 95-77

3/7/20 N W 72-59

STARTING FIVE

• The Golden Eagles are 42-17 against BIG EAST opponents under Coach Duffy.

• Coach Duffy is off to the best coaching start through four seasons of any coach in program history. She boasts a 75-29 overall mark (.721) at Marquette.

• The Golden Eagles are 63-3 under Coach Duffy when leading at halftime and 46-6 when they turn the ball over the same or fewer times than their opponent.

• MU is 42-4 when scoring more than 70 points under Coach Duffy and 50-5 when shooting more free throws than its opponent.

• In the 104 games of the Coach Duffy era, the Golden Eagles have out-rebounded their opponent 85 times.

PUTTING IT TO THE TEST

• After one of its best non-conference showings in program history, Marquette now enters BIG EAST play for the rest of the way.

• The BIG EAST has proven itself as one of the top women's basketball conferences in the country this season, going a combined 80-25 in non-conference play.

• The Golden Eagles' post-Christmas league slate opens with four-straight games against BIG EAST teams who made the NCAA Tournament a season ago, as they will host Villanova before heading on the road to face UConn, DePaul and Creighton.

• The four opponents MU faces during this stretch were the top four seeds in last year's conference tournament, and together combined for a record of 99-36 in 2021-22.

BIG EAST SHOWING OUT

• As a conference, the BIG EAST is out to one of its strongest starts in years and has established itself as one of the top leagues in the country this season.

• With the majority of non-conference play in the rear view, BIG EAST teams have gone a combined 80-25 (.762) against non-conference opponents.

• Six different BIG EAST teams have been ranked in the AP Poll at some point during this season, while seven have received votes in the poll. In the most recent poll there were five teams (UConn, Creighton, St. John's, Villanova, Marquette) either in the rankings or receiving votes.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

• The Al McGuire Center has gained a reputation as one of the most difficult places to play not just in the BIG EAST, but in the nation in recent years.

• The Golden Eagles are off to a 6-1 start at home this season, and have won 24 of their past 28 games in the Al. Under Coach Duffy, MU has a 40-9 home record.

• In its six wins at home, Marquette has outscored opponents by a combined total of 450-288 (75.0-48.0).

UP NEXT FOR MU

• The Golden Eagles now hit the road for three-straight games, beginning when they travel to Storrs, Connecticut, to face UConn on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. CT.

• The game will be broadcast by BIG EAST Digital Network on FloHoops, with links to the stream and live stats available on GoMarquette.com.

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