A pair of unbeaten groups will sq. off in a neutral-site battle on Saturday morning as No. 15 Marquette meets Georgia in Nassau, Bahamas.
Marquette will make the journey for simply the one recreation, whereas Georgia will tackle No. 22 St. John’s on the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort on Sunday.
The Golden Eagles (5-0) are coming off their first marquee win of the season, 76-58 at residence over No. 6 Purdue on Tuesday. After the Boilermakers tied the sport at 12 with 12:31 left within the first half, Stevie Mitchell’s layup gave Marquette a lead it by no means surrendered.
Mitchell scored a career-high 21 factors, whereas Kam Jones grew to become simply the third Golden Eagle to ever file a triple-double, chipping in 17 factors, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, as Marquette snapped Purdue’s 39-game regular-season, non-conference successful streak — the fourth-longest in NCAA historical past.
A rarity on this period of faculty sports activities, Jones and Mitchell are two seniors who’ve caught with this system for 4 years. The duo will look to assist Marquette to its first 6-0 begin since 2011-12, when it started the yr 10-0.
“(Jones) has labored his tail off,” Marquette coach Shaka Good mentioned. “He is all the time had higher means as a playmaker than some would possibly assume, however his function was a bit completely different once we had Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro, as a result of these guys have been such good passers. We nonetheless want him to attain, however he additionally has the ball in his arms extra, and we want him to create alternatives for different guys.”
As for Mitchell, Good mentioned he helps to make the group run.
“I do not assume till Stevie graduates and strikes on will we absolutely really feel what we’ve got in him,” the coach mentioned. “I simply encourage everybody to get pleasure from this yr whereas we’ve got him right here. He is a mix of will, toughness, coronary heart, and he is extraordinarily sensible.”
Jones leads the group with averages 22.6 factors and 6 assists per recreation, whereas Mitchell chips in 13.6 factors per contest.
Standing in the way in which of Marquette’s potential 6-0 begin is a Georgia group that is seen little resistance to start the yr. The Bulldogs (5-0) have received their first 5 video games by a median rating of 87 to 66.6, most just lately blowing out Alabama A&M at residence Tuesday, 93-45.
Led in scoring by Asa Newell (16.8 factors per recreation) and sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. (14.6), the Bulldogs are off to their finest begin since starting 7-0 in 2020-21.
Georgia’s scorching streak will probably be examined within the Bahamas, as coach Mike White’s group will see its first massive problem on Saturday.
“Marquette will demand our consideration and respect. It is an incredible program,” White mentioned. “Shaka has executed an exceptional job up there, and from what I’ve heard on the surface trying in, they have a very good tradition and actually good gamers. It will be a high-level recreation and a very good alternative to see the place we’re at.”
The 2 applications have met thrice, most just lately a 73-66 Georgia win in Milwaukee on Dec. 2, 2017.
–Discipline Degree Media
