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Bracketology 2024: UConn, Kansas, and Arizona with key upcoming games

By Jason Burgess

Nov 11, 2023; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley talks with forward Alex Karaban (11), center Donovan Clingan (32) and guard Cam Spencer (12) from the sideline as they take on the Stonehill Skyhawks at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley talks with forward Alex Karaban (11), center Donovan Clingan (32) and guard Cam Spencer (12) from the sideline as they take on the Stonehill Skyhawks at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball
Bracketology Marquette Golden Eagles forward Oso Ighodaro (13) celebrates with guard Tyler Kolek Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 Marquette (6-1) at Wisconsin (5-2), Saturday, Dec. 2, 12:30 PM ET, FOX

In the first of two in-state rivalries on this edition of the Weekend Watchlist, No. 3 Marquette (6-1) travels to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2) on Saturday. Coming off their first-ever Big East tournament, Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles have their eyes on a No. 1 seed. Marquette is off to a 6-1 start to the year entering this game with the Badgers, with the only blemish coming against No. 1 Purdue in the finals of the loaded Maui Invitational.

The Golden Eagles are led once again by the trio of Kam Jones, Oso Ighodaro, and conference Player of the Year candidate Tyler Kolek. The three have combined for 44.7 of the team’s 79.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 10.1 assists, with Jones and Kolek making 22 of their 53 three-point attempts this season. Even though the Golden Eagles can score, they still have Smart’s trademark defense. So far this year they’ve allowed just 67.5 points per game and even though they only force 15 turnovers per game, they really take advantage of them by scoring 17 points off those turnovers.

Resume wise Marquette is in good shape with wins over a ranked Illinois team and handed Kansas their first loss of the season. This contest with Wisconsin begins their final two-game test in the non-conference, as they host No. 16 Texas on Wednesday. As a conference the Big East is loaded this season and if Marquette wants to secure a top seed come March, finishing the non-conference strong is a big key, and that begins with this game against their rivals.

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