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Marquette Basketball: Breakdown of the Golden Eagles’ 2018-19 non-conference schedule

By Brian Foley

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 17: Head coach Steve Wojciechowski of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts in the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 17, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 17: Head coach Steve Wojciechowski of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts in the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 17, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Dec. 8 vs. Wisconsin

Last Year: 15-18 (7-11 Big Ten)
NCAA Tournament: No
2018-19 Projection: 22nd

The annual Marquette-Wisconsin game is on the schedule for the 125th time, dating all the way back to 1917. The Badgers lead the series 67-57 all-time, but the rivalry has been an even 5-5 split over the last decade. Home court advantage would figure to play a big role in the series, yet in the Wojo era, the Golden Eagles are 0-2 at home and 2-0 on the road (including last season’s 82-63 drubbing of the Badgers in Madison).

On the court, Wisconsin is expected to be one of the big risers. The Badgers missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in two decades last year, but they will return every top contributor in 2018-19.

More. Analyzing Wisconsin's potential rotation in 2018-19. light

The good news for Wisconsin: The return of the injured Kobe King and D’Mitrik Trice will help the perimeter scoring punch, and a post-shoulder surgery Brad Davison should be even more infuriating for opposing fans. Ethan Happ’s baseline spin somehow is still an effective source of offense late in the shot clock.

The bad news: I know everyone is coming back, but how much of an impact will that have? Wisconsin fans can write off last season after the early injuries to King and Trice, but UW was still just 4-6 with those guys in the lineup. The Badgers’ incoming recruiting class is nothing to write home about either after Tyler Herro decommitted for Kentucky. And seniors Happ and Khalil Iverson – two of Wisconsin’s minutes leaders – still can’t shoot outside the paint (a combined 7-60 from beyond the arc for their careers).

I believe Wisconsin will compete for a tournament bid, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Badgers knocked off Marquette this December. But unless they take a clear step forward in November, I’ll take a wait-and-see approach with UW before penciling them in as one of the 25 best teams in the nation.

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