NCAA Basketball: Kentucky, Arkansas fall in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
3. Marquette (3-0)
There was a great turnaround at Marquette last season and the good basketball continues into this season. The Golden Eagles put on a show in Big East play last year and certainly look like one of the heaviest favorites again this season, even with a few different names leading the charge. One name that is back is Tyler Kolek and Marquette certainly is glad to see him still dominating on the court.
Questionable earlier in the week with injury concerns, Kolek ended up playing in Marquette’s lone game of the week and played well, scoring 24 points on the road at a ranked Illinois squad back on Tuesday night. The Golden Eagles secured a 71-64 victory as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games, also nabbing a major road win very early in the season. It was a great defensive performance for Marquette, who also got 15 points from Kam Jones.
Against weaker foes in the opening week, Marquette scored a ton of points and played efficient ball on offense. This past week, their defense took up a great task against the Illini and came through, delivering a 3-0 start for a Golden Eagles squad living up to the preseason hype. There’s barely time to celebrate last Tuesday’s success as Marquette is off to the Maui Invitational. Their first opponent will be UCLA but there are some national contenders looming in the bracket.