Currently ranked 25th in the country, the Marquette Golden Eagles are right on the cusp of being an upper-echelon team in CBB; however, the team hasn’t earned that title just yet. With a victory over the Seton Hall Pirates on Wednesday night, there has been buzz over whether the Golden Eagles deserve a high ranking, given their undefeated record in Big East play.
Davante Gardner did his part versus Seton Hall as his 17 points were the most of any Golden Eagle on Wednesday. Gardner’s stocky shoulders and somewhat awkward body type can easily be related to the grueling way that Marquette has played games all season. For example, Wednesday night was a game that the Golden Eagles should have won by at least double digits, as the Pirates were incredibly wounded with just eight available players all night. Instead, the team let Seton Hall hang around and only won by seven on their home floor.
Coach Buzz Williams is not oblivious to Marquette’s inconsistent ways as he said “We could very easily, very easily be 0-4. That’s the truth” when talking about the teams 4-0 Big East record. Williams also touched on the grinding and non-flamboyant way that his team wins ballgames saying “I think it’s going to be ugly, and I don’t think there’s a thing we do that’s pretty.” Whether that is true or not time will tell however, the most important thing is winning games.
Marquette is now riding a 19 game winning streak at home but, are 1-2 on the road and have a massive road test on February third as the top ranked Louisville Cardinal host the Golden Eagles.