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.
[New to PT] What’s changed with #mubb's Offense? https://t.co/0E0MTgKgb2
— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 14, 2022
Also, the team is getting better offensive performances from a variety of players and also shooting better from three-point range.
Marquette's offense has been clicking during its three-game winning streak.
— Ben Steele (@BenSteeleMJS) January 14, 2022
That's key with a brutal schedule coming up.
What's gone right? What does #mubb think it needs to do even better?https://t.co/uzB23ZoJ2r
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.
Marquette's next 7 games. Big East is so tough this year.
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) January 12, 2022
Let's try to somehow win 3 of these... even 2 wouldn't be awful. #mubb pic.twitter.com/rsm5IQ2gVD
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.
2-5 keeps them in the hunt, TBH, just makes those last 6 TBW games.
— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) January 12, 2022
2 is holding serve
3 is feeling great
4 is what seed are we looking at
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.
Marquette averages 15.5 fast break points game which is in the 95th percentile of teams in the CBB #mubb
— TheGoldenBreak (@TheGoldenBreak) January 15, 2022
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.
https://twitter.com/jgtrends/status/1481654017541345285?s=21
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.
The best at exploiting opponent turnovers. Efficiency⬆️: @UHCougarMBK @BoilerBall @FSUHoops ; Volume➡️: @aggiembk @LSUBasketball @BaylorMBB pic.twitter.com/DjW5gsdXe5
— JG Trends (@jgtrends) January 13, 2022
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.