Marquette Basketball: Reviewing 2019-20 non-conference schedule
By Brian Foley
Dec. 7 at Kansas State (Big East-Big 12 Challenge)
Last Year: 25-9 (14-4 Big 12)
NCAA Tournament: 4 seed, Round of 64
2019-20 Projection: 42nd
Coming off its Big 12 championship, K-State seems likely to take a small step back without Dean Wade, Barry Brown Jr., and Kamau Stokes. Still, the Wildcats will remain a daunting opponent in 2019-20 on the backs of KSU’s enduring defensive intensity. Bruce Weber’s squad has finished in the top-35 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency for each of the past four years.
Offensively, Kansas State will turn the keys over to senior wing Xavier Sneed, who provided 10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 1.9 apg last season. Sneed’s efficiency leaves something to be desired – he shot under 40 percent from the field – though the Wildcats’ recent success has not necessarily relied on offensive fireworks. Upperclassmen Cartier Diarra and Makol Mawien will fill crucial roles alongside Sneed, as will Weber’s five-man recruiting class.
Marquette knocked off K-State 83-71 at home last season behind 45 points from Howard (11-17 shooting, 19-21 from the free throw line). Expect the Wildcats to re-emphasize their focus on MU’s All-American guard, meaning Howard will either need to provide a second superhuman effort, or another Golden Eagle or two will need to step up.
MU is just 4-7 against Kansas State, though the 10 matchups prior to last season’s duel were all between 1953-88.