American @ Marquette preview
BMO Harris Bradley Center
Marquette wraps up non-conference play Thursday and seeks its seventh win in eight games when American pays a visit. The Golden Eagles begin Big East play against No. 8 Xavier next week, putting additional emphasis on Thursday's tune-up for that important contest.
Marquette's last game was a 79-70 triumph against Northern Illinois as Markus Howard scored 26 points and Sam Hauser added 21 to complement a solid defensive effort. The Golden Eagles held the Huskies to 38.2 percent shooting - and only three 3-pointers - while forcing 18 turnovers and blocking 10 shots. On the downside, Marquette will be aiming for a better rebounding effort after Northern Illinois topped them 44-34 on the boards and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. Fortunately, American is 338th in rebounding out of 351 Division I teams and has lost four of its last five outings overall.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
ABOUT AMERICAN (3-7): The Eagles played two notable opponents last month, losing to Kansas State and West Virginia by a combined 72 points. They do have two talented scorers in Sa'eed Nelson (19.0 points per game) and Larry Motuzis (18.8), who also have combined for 31 steals in 10 games. Nelson averages 4.4 turnovers and has had at least four miscues in five of the last six games, not to mention a combined 12 turnovers in the early-season losses to Kansas State and West Virginia.
ABOUT MARQUETTE (8-3): Howard and Andrew Rowsey average 22.8 and 20.8 points, respectively, and both are terrific shooters from 3-point range, where the Golden Eagles connect on nearly 40 percent as a team. Howard has averaged 29 points over the last five games and made at least three 3s in each of those contests. He was 11-of-15 from 3-point range on Nov. 29 against Chicago State, breaking his own school record of nine 3-pointers, and Marquette set a school record with 18 3s that day.
TIP-INS
1. The Golden Eagles have scored at least 79 points in every one of their wins.
2. Rowsey has made at least three 3-pointers in nine of the team's 11 games.
3. Howard is 36-for-36 from the foul line.
PREDICTION: Marquette 79, American 60