BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: MARQUETTE @ WEST VIRGINIA

January 6, 2008



The air out of the West Virginia balloon was let out a bit when Notre Dame dominated them inside and shut down their perimeter offense. While Marquette might not have the same interior strength, their perimter defense will be much tougher than what WVU saw on Thursday.

Marquette sent a message to the rest of the Big East with Thursday's drubbing of Providence, now they will try to do the same on the road and cement their status as a conference favorite, and impressive win here, and maybe they are THE favorite.

Neither team has much inside, but Marquette's Ousmane Barro showed some signs against Providence that he is ready to step up his game. West Virginia really does not even have anyone as good as him inside, so they Golden Eagles are not at a disadvantage inside as they are against many conference foes.

West Virginia's best player is at the forward spot, Joe Alexander. He is very athletic and WVU likes to lean on him often. However, the improvement of Lazar Hayward at Marquette from his freshman to sophomore season has been impressive and I think he will relish in the assignment of slowing down Alexander, who was largely invisible against Notre Dame.

Then there is the backcourt trios. Darris Nichols, Alex Ruoff and DaSean Butler is a very underrated and under-appreicated group. Joe Mazzulla provides solid depth. However, that group will have their hands full, and then some, with Dominic James, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Mathews on both ends of the floor.

Marquette is deeper in the backcourt with Maurice Acker and David Cubillan, they also have role players in Dwight Burke and Dan Fitzgerald in the mix. West Virginia can also bring Wellington Smith and John Flowers off the bench to add some length and athletic ability.

After their loss to Notre Dame, Marquette might be the last team WVU wants to see. Their perimeter orientated attack now has to go up against the best perimeter defensive team that will pressure the ball and defend the arc. Having not much to worry about inside plays right into Marquette's hands and WVU is not a strong rebounding team either.

After this weekend, Marquette establishes themselves as the team to beat early on.

NBE Blogger Prediction: Marquette 73 West Virginia 65