BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: Providence @ Marquette

February 3, 2007


When Big East play opened for Marquette and Providence many people took notice of the hurting that Providence put on Marquette in their 74-59 win in Rhode Island. On Saturday, Marquette gets the opportunity for revenge with the rematch as Providence travels to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee to take on the Golden Eagles.

Sometimes certain teams can have another's number based on the match-up. This might be the case between Providence and Marquette. The Friars are a zone team and they have a frontline that can be athletic and strong as well as deep. Providence also has a impressive stable of guards that are quick and athletic. We all know where Marquette's strength lies, and that is with their guard trio of Dominic James, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Mathews and, like any game, they have the backcourt advantage in this contest.

In their conference opening meeting, Marquette was without McNeal and Providence was without point guard Sharaud Curry. Providence had no match for Herbert Hill inside (23 pts, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks) and Geoff McDermott carved them up inside and out (11 pts, 9 rebounds and 11 assists). Marquette struggled against the PC zone, shooting just 19-61 from the floor and 4-23 from their 3-pt line. The Golden Eagles are going to have to do a much better job this time making shots and slowing down their inside game. Ousmane Barro has shown great improvement since the conference opener and they will need that improvement tonight.

Marquette has been idle since their Sunday afternoon great escape at South Florida. The Golden Eagles have put themselves in excellent position in the Big East race since opening the conference with two losses they have followed that up with six straight wins. Their seventh should come Saturday, but it will be a fight.

NBE Blogger Prediction: Marquette 74 Providence 71