Robert Morris @ Marquette preview

Marquette will try to get its edge back on defense when it hosts Robert Morris on Saturday. The Golden Eagles struggled on both ends of the court against Wisconsin but the Colonials should provide a good opportunity to get back on track.

The Golden Eagles were one of the top defensive teams in the country last season, and played the part again in the first two games before having trouble in a 77-61 loss at Wisconsin on Sunday, Against Loyola-Maryland and Purdue, Marquette gave up an average of 54 points while limited them to 32.3 shooting from the field and 23.8 from 3-point land but that all changed against the archrival Badgers, who shot well from deep and made their free throws. "We are a work in progress," coach Steve Wojciechowski said of his team, which will head to the Orlando Invitational after this game for three contests beginning Thanksgiving against Davidson. "We have a lot of work to do and that's obvious - I think now - to everyone." Josh Williams is the lone player averaging double figures for the Colonials of the Northeast Conference, who have scored 62.8 points per game overall and 58.8 points in their four road losses to Marshall, Notre Dame, Toledo and Illinois-Chicago.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 2

ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS (1-5): After a slow beginning to his sophomore season, Dante Treacy has shown a bit more game for the Colonials in the last three contests. The 6-foot guard used the team's win against Howard as a springboard to greater productivity, scoring 36 points over the three contests while averaging 3.3 assists. Williams' season has been just the opposite as the senior came out of the gate fast, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and 3.3 assists in the first four games before going cold (3-of-22) and scoring eight total points in the last two games.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (2-1): After a monster 38-point effort in the season opener, Markus Howard has come back to earth a bit with 18 points in each of the last two games. The senior and reigning Big East Player of the Year endured a horrible shooting night against Wisconsin, which forced him to go 6-of-21 while limiting him to two points in the second half, but through sheer volume he got his points. Howard should be in for a big night against the Colonials, who have allowed their opponents to shoot 48 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from 3-point land - two numbers that rank in the bottom 100 out of 350 Division I teams.

TIP-INS

1. Robert Morris junior G AJ Bramah has grabbed 25 rebounds in the past two games, including a career-high 16 boards against Toledo, to bring his seasonal average to 8.3 rebounds.

2. The Golden Eagles will be facing the Colonials for the first time looking to improve on their 7-2 mark against teams from the NEC.

3. After swatting eight shots in the season opener, Theo John had one blocked shot each against Purdue and Wisconsin and now stands eighth in Marquette history with 106.

PREDICTION: Marquette 79, Robert Morris 53