Purdue vs Marquette: 3 key storylines for 2019 Gavitt Games matchup

Purdue and Marquette will face off in a key non-conference matchup as part of the 2019 Gavitt Tipoff Games. Here are the matchup’s biggest storylines.

The Gavitt Tipoff Games feature some high-profile matchups between the Big Ten and the Big East, and Marquette’s matchup against Purdue is one of the event’s headliners.

Though neither team is currently ranked in the AP poll, both are among those receiving votes and are right on the fringe of cracking into the top 25. Both have major questions they need to answer following NCAA Tournament appearances last season, and this is a great chance for each to start answering those questions.

For the Boilermakers, they are trying to find a way to replace Carsen Edwards, their leading scorer for each of the last two seasons and the star of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. They’re also coming off a difficult 70-66 home loss to Texas, and a victory would keep them from starting the season 1-2.

As for Marquette, they return a collegiate superstar in Markus Howard, but they don’t have any proven commodities outside of him following the transfer of the Hauser brothers this offseason. That is one of the important storylines to watch for the Golden Eagles all season long, and this is the supporting cast’s first real chance to prove themselves. How will they respond?

Of course, there are plenty of other things worth monitoring in this quality matchup. Here are the three biggest storylines to follow when Purdue and Marquette face off on Wednesday.