NCAA Basketball: UConn, Iowa State, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
9. Marquette (25-9)
Marquette has a chance to make some noise this season. They’ve shown fantastic potential at times this year, though the important question going forward is the health of this roster. Most importantly, Marquette needs to get Tyler Kolek back in time for the Big Dance, as they just fared without him in the Big East Tournament.
Facing a bubble team in the quarterfinals, the Golden Eagles survived 71-65 in overtime against Villanova, with Kam Jones’ 18 points leading the way. The following day’s semifinal also went their way, delivering a 79-68 win over Providence. Jones had 23 points while Oso Ighodaro added 20 in a nice performance. They certainly missed their point guard on Saturday, falling 73-57 to a really strong Connecticut squad for the Big East championship, with Jones (13 points) again their leading scorer.
Things will look promising for the Golden Eagles with Kolek back in the lineup, though they’ve shown that they can play solid basketball even without him. The trouble will be against stronger foes like those Huskies, but this Marquette team is no joke. Shaka Smart knows how to win the NCAA Tournament and a completely healthy Golden Eagles unit can be dangerous.