MU hosts Providence as Big East Play beginsAh the joys of rising expectations. In just two Big East seasons, the Marquette Golden Eagles have firmly established themselves as an upper echelon program in the nation's toughest conference. After back to back 10-win conference seasons, Tom Crean welcomes the conference gauntlet with a seasoned crew of athletic performers sporting an impressive 10-1 record, highlighted by what is arguably the league's signature out of conference road win (Wisconsin). Folks around the country are taking notice, and the delightful Rick Pitino put a target on MU's back last week by claiming Crean's crew was the league's best as conference play begins. Thanks to injury (Pitt losing Cook and Fields), headcases and injury (Ville), and sloppy play (Georgetown is not rolling, yet) Slick Rick might be correct.
Still, while 10-1 looks gaudy on the game notes the Golden Eagles have only played one game of consequence in the last six weeks -- the win at Wisconsin. In the interim, Crean's bunch beat a series of lesser opponents in predictably impressive fashion and managed to remain injury-free, even regaining the services of a productive Dan Fitzgerald in the final cupcake matchup last week. With Fitzgerald back in the mix, MU is as healthy as they've been all season -- and just in time.
The real season begins when the Providence Friars visit the Bradley Center on Thursday night in the Big East opener for both programs. The Friars enter the contest at 9-3, and the trip to Milwaukee will be just their second road game of the season (five neutral site contests notwithstanding). PC is led by junior guard Weyinmi Efejuku who leads four Friars averaging in double figures with 13ppg. Forward Geoff McDermott stuffs the box score like few others, averaging 12 ppg, and a team leading 8 boards and four assists.
Junior guard Jeff Xavier has stepped in admirably for the Friars' injury depleted backcourt averaging nearly 13ppg highlighted by 41% shooting from deep. The status for starting point guard Shaurad Curry, out with an injured foot for several weeks, is unknown. In addition, backup point guard Dwain Williams is also hobbled by injury. An injury-riddled backcourt is no way to begin conference play, particularly on the road at MU. A quick return to health for Curry would pay dividends for the Friars.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00pm CST on Thursday. Here are the Top Five Numbers to Know about Providence. As always, information comes from Pomeroy's Scouting Report and Game Plan .
15 - Providence's National Rating for Offensive Rebounding Percentage (OR%)
That's 15 out of 341 Division 1 Schools
Providence manages to pull down 40.9% of all available offensive rebounds
Marquette averages to hold opponents to an OR% of 32.5%
PS - Marquette is rated #8 out of D1 schoos for OR% (42.2%)
Offensive Rebounds are the matchup of the game
24.3 - The Turnover Rate that Providence forces on opponents
Turnover Rate is Turnovers / Possessions, so Providence forces a turnover roughly 1 of every four possessions
This turnover rate is good for number 68 out of 341 D1 schools
For the win against Arkansas, Providence forced a Turnover Rate of 44%
Marquette only turns the ball over 20% of the time
95% - Pomeroy's computer prediction for a Marquette win
Seem high to you? Remember that Pomeroy currently tracks us as their Number 3 overall team!
The prediction is a nineteen point margin of victory
It's nice to see, but games aren't played via computer simulation
231 - Providence's National Rating at effective Field Goal % (eFG%) Defense
Remember that eFG% is Field Goal Percentage adjusted to account for the extra value of a three point shot
If you're looking for a weak spot on Providence, they allow a high effective Field Goal percentage
Opponents are averaging eFG% of 51.8. A lot of this comes from opponents hitting 38.4% of three pointers against Providence
Considering that Marquette is averaging eFG% of 56.0 (#18 overall), this is a strength vs. weakness matchup
32 - The jersey number of Randall Hanke
Hanke is Providence's 6'11", 240# Center
He has the highest Offensive Rating (ORtg) for Providence (136.8), which is well above the ORtg for any Marquette player
Hanke has only begun to log substantial minutes in the last four games, and only had minimal minutes in Providence's three losses
In summary, look to see which team does a better job on the Offensive Boards and how well Marquette is able to protect the ball. Providence will throw a lot of 2-3 zone against Marquette, so another big question is how well Marquette will do at finding and making open shots.
Links
GoMarquette.com's Preview of the Providence Game
Game Notes
Above post is a contribution from both NYWarrior and Henry Sugar
http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/01/mu-hosts-providence-as-big-east-play.html
