Marquette basketball enters 7 game gauntlet

Marquette Basketball has been more than just impressive during their recent three-game win streak. They have been downright dominant.

The Marquette Golden Eagles bounced back nicely after starting Big East play 0-3. They are now back in the NCAA Tournament conversation after their four-game losing streak made it look like Marquette was NIT bound or worse.

The Marquette Golden Eagles beat Providence to start the win streak. It was the program’s largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent. They then took care of business against a struggling Georgetown Hoyas team. After scuffling defensively in the first half, Marquette put the clamps down on DePaul to cruise to a win.

What has turned Marquette Basketball around?

According to PaintTouches.com, the offense is doing a better job of cutting to the basket, getting dunks, and better three-point shot selection.

Also, the team is getting better offensive performances from a variety of players and also shooting better from three-point range.

Marquette does not get much time to savor this win streak as the schedule takes a brutal turn.

The Marquette Golden Eagles play six-straight games against Top-25 opponents. The stretch consists of hosting and visiting No. 20 Seton Hall and No.14 Villanova. Marquette also has No.17 Xavier coming to the Fiserv Forum. They have to travel to No.23 Providence as well.

All six of those teams rank in KenPom.com’s top 50. Marquette also has to go to UConn after the six-straight ranked opponents stretch. The Huskies just happen to be in KenPom’s top 25.

KenPom projections as of January 11th had Marquette losing all seven games.

It is good thing games are played in the real world and not in computer projections. Although let me be clear, I love KenPom’s work. I am just making the point that since games are played on real basketball courts, Marquette has a chance of avoiding a seven-game losing streak.

The next seven games provides the Marquette Golden Eagles with opportunities to get wins over teams all sitting in the top 40 of the NCAA NET rankings.

This schedule portion is a chance to seal an invite to March Madness or possibly bust Marquette’s tournament bubble.

How can Marquette make it through the gauntlet?

They need to keep playing at the offensive pace they are comfortable with. By pace, it means getting out on the break.

The offense just needs to keep playing like it has been the last three games but be ready to make adjustments to what opposing defenses throw at them.

Marquette basketball also has to continue its trend of getting better.

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They need to avoid the poor defensive effort they gave in the first half against DePaul. If Marquette can bring the defensive intensity for 40 minutes, they will definitely have a possibility to pick up some victories.

Forcing turnovers will be key towards the defensive giving Marquette opportunities for success.

Winning the three home games will also go a long way.

The final thing Marquette needs is to keep showing the willingness to continue fighting for a win. That is because getting a win in the Big East is always going to be a fight.