Bracketology 2023: Duke, Penn State, Marquette and Utah State among biggest winners

Marquette Golden Eagles

Throughout the season, multiple teams in the Big East got the spotlight. In a way, Marquette flew under the radar until the end of the regular season. They won six straight games to win the conference title, including over Creighton and Xavier to get the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.

The Golden Eagles had a shot at a 2 seed if things go right but nearly lost in the quarterfinals to St. John’s. They were trailing by double-digits at halftime but made a big comeback to force overtime and eventually win, 72-70. The thrilling games didn’t stop there, as Marquette took on a dangerous UConn squad in the semis that many were picking to win the tournament. They won that one in a close game, 70-68.

The game against Xavier in the Big East Tournament turned into a blowout from the start, all the way to the finish. The final score was 65-51, led by 20 points from guard Tyler Kolek. It capped off a week of two more Quad 1 victories, giving Marquette eight total. And add the 6-0 record against Quad 2 opponents and you have a lofty resume that can compete with most teams for at least a 2 seed.

More importantly, the Golden Eagles look like a 2 seed via the eye test. They’re now on a 9-game win streak entering the NCAA Tournament and are going to be a tough out for anyone.