MU takes on Rutgers before Sellout Crowd

The 25/24 Marquette University men’s basketball team returns to the Bradley Center Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. BIG EAST Conference matchup with Rutgers. ESPN+ will produce the broadcast, which will air in the greater Milwaukee area on Time Warner Sports 32. Lou Canellis (play-by-play) and Dickey Simpkins (analyst) will call the action.

The Golden Eagles and Scarlet Knights have split the only two previous meetings between the programs, with MU claiming a 67-47 victory over RU last season in Milwaukee. Following Saturday’s outing, Marquette will make a quick return to the court Monday night at Villanova on ESPN.

Latest Victory Assures MU Of Posteason Play

Currently in sole possession of fifth place in the 16-team BIG EAST Conference, the Golden Eagles have already secured a spot in the league’s postseason tournament.

The squad claimed its ninth league victory of the season at St. John’s Wednesday night, assuring itself one of the 12 positions in the postseason tourney at Madison Square Garden. Other programs that have earned a berth already are Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut and Notre Dame.

The Golden Eagles have now qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament each of their first three seasons in the conference.

Marquette’s Schedule Strength Tough To Match

Through games of Feb. 21, Marquette is ranked 16th in the Rating Percentage Index according to CollegeRPI.com and owns a strength of schedule rating of 16th as well.

Nearly a third (8-of-25) of MU’s games this season have come against squads currently ranked in the top-25 of the RPI and four of those programs are in the top-15. Duke (3), Connecticut (11), Wisconsin (12), Louisville (14), Notre Dame (21) and Pittsburgh (23) will be joined by Georgetown (8) when the two teams square off next weekend.

The Golden Eagles are 3-5 in those contests, with five of the games coming on the road or at a neutral site.