Butler Basketball: Keys to success vs. Marquette in 2019-20

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 20: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs dribbles the ball while being guarded by Brendan Bailey #1 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on February 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 04: Howard of Marquette dribbles. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Opponent Intel: Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette has struggled a bit at times this season but will enter this contest riding a three-game winning streak. With a ton of offensive firepower and strong interior defense, the Golden Eagles are very dangerous and have the potential to take down just about any opponent in the country. They currently sit at 14-5 (4-3 BE) on the season and appear to be on the knocking on the door of making an appearance in the AP Top 25.

At the core of their successes to this point in the season has clearly been Markus Howard. One of the early frontrunners to win the National Player of the Year award, Howard is an absolute flamethrower from everywhere on the court. He is a prolific scorer at all three levels and will end his career as one of the best 3-point shooters in college basketball history. There is no doubt that he is a superstar. Howard proved that during his first three seasons and is doing so again as a senior.

Howard is averaging 28.4 points per game (.424/.425/.858) through Marquette’s first 19 contests of the season.

Alongside him, Sacar Anim and Koby McEwen are a pair of other solid scoring threats on the wing. These two are solid secondary scorers with the ability to also throw some defensive and playmaking contributions into the mix as well. Anim, most notably, has really hit his stride in conference play while McEwen has tapered off a bit. Both are dangerous shooters.

In the frontcourt, Theo John is a major force with his wide frame and shot-blocking abilities.

Perhaps the most underrated contributor on this roster, though, is Brendan Bailey. A 6-foot-8 forward that can stretch the floor, attack off the bounce, and defend at a high level, he is a major piece of Marquette’s puzzle. Bailey has started all 19 games for the season and averages 7.7 points (38.0% from three) and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Jamal Cain, Jayce Johnson, and Symir Torrence are the main reserve pieces.

On the whole, Marquette is a dangerous offensive unit. They are relatively reliant on the 3-point shot but have been extremely deadly from beyond the arc thanks in large part to Howard. The Golden Eagles rank 53rd nationally in 3PAr and are still managing to connect on 39.6% of those shots. They struggle greatly inside the ac (45.9% on 2PA) but get to the free-throw line very often.

Defensively, Marquette rarely forces turnovers but it solid otherwise. The Golden Eagles block a decent number of shots and do a nice job defending both 2PA (44.1%, 39th) and 3PA (30.4%, 57th). They usually surrender a fair number of free-throw attempts.