Jacksonville @ Marquette preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2011 ) Jacksonville 56, Marquette 88

Marquette has one of the top players in the country in Markus Howard, but consistency has not been his strength as a senior. The dynamic guard looks to lead the Golden Eagles to a win over visiting Jacksonville when the teams collide on Wednesday.

After a two-game stretch in which Howard shot 8-of-27 from the field, he caught fire and scored 91 points over two games, including 51 in a win over USC. However, Howard then encountered Maryland's defense and shot 1-of-12 against the Terrapins en route to a season-low six points, and his teammates weren't able to come to his aid. "Markus has pretty much seen every type of defense," Golden Eagles coach Steve Wojciechowski said. "But our group, because it's a new group, hasn't necessarily seen that." Howard, who averages 26 points per game, will aim to get back on track against a Jacksonville team that snapped a three-game losing streak its last time out with a 16-point win over North Carolina A&T.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS2

ABOUT JACKSONVILLE (4-5): David Bell is the top force for Jacksonville, averaging 12.2 points and 10.6 rebounds to go along with 2.1 blocks and a sizzling 69.2 shooting percentage. Bell has scored double-digit points in six straight games and has double-doubles in four straight games, shooting 14-of-17 from the field over the last two outings. Aamahne Santos (11.1 points) is the only other double-digit scorer for the Dolphins, and he has 34 assists - 19 more than anyone else on the team - as well as a team-high 19 3-pointers.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (5-2): The Golden Eagles' top five scorers all shoot at least 40 percent from 3-point range, and the team shoots a dazzling 41.1 percent from 3-point range overall. Howard has 27 3-pointers - more than twice as many as the next-closest teammate, Koby McEwen (13) - but Howard went 0-for-6 from deep against Maryland. Theo John gives Marquette its defensive toughness with 2.1 blocks per game to go with averages of 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. The Golden Eagles average more turnovers (15.7) than assists (11.6).

2. Jacksonville has played one notable opponent thus far, losing to Xavier 76-57 in its season opener.

3. Howard and McEwen each shoot 85.5 percent from the foul line.

PREDICTION: Marquette 91, Jacksonville 62