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| Photo Credit: Dylan Buell- Getty Images |
By: Geno Green
Twitter: @TheGenoGreen
On Dwyane Wade Day, the No. 15 Marquette Golden Eagles (16-3,
5-1 Big East) overcame a sluggish shooting performance in the first half to
defeat the Providence Friars (11-7, 1-4 Big East), 79-68. Here are my five
things to take away on a special Sunday at Fiserv Forum.
1) Friars’ rebounding could not make up for poor shooting:
Providence dictated the pace in the rebounding department with
a 43-31 advantage on Marquette with 15 of those coming on the offensive end, while
the perimeter game left a lot to be desired going 4-of-19.
Despite the totals, the Friars received their fair share of open
looks, but failed to deliver as coach Ed Cooley took ownership.
“We were 4-of-19 from long range and of the 15 we missed, 11
of them were uncontested and wide open,” Cooley said. “My team is growing and
we are trying to learn. Still a lot of games left to be played and I have to do
a better job of being a motivator.”
2) Hauser of cards:
After a career-high 31 points at Georgetown on Jan. 15, Sam Hauser
followed up with a game-high 25, on 8-of-13 from the field.
Hauser did not start off as flashy as the previous game as
he went the first 13:38 without a point. The second half witnessed Hauser pick
apart Providence’s defenders on the left post as he converted multiple baskets.
Joey Hauser even got in on the act with a few makes as the brothers scored 19
in a seven-minute stretch in the second half.
“Sam is incredible. One of the top players in the country
and has stepped up for us in the last two games in a monumental way. We don’t even
come close to winning this game without him,” Golden Eagles coach Steve
Wojciechowski said.
Freshman Joey Hauser added 11 points, with eight of them in
the second half as Wojciechowski relished in watching the brothers’ rapport on
the court.
“Joey and Sam have amazing chemistry and play well,” Wojciechowski
said. “They are two young men who have won basketball games. It may seem like a
simple thing, but that’s not common. With those guys, it is.”
3) Howard’s bounce back:
After leaving the Georgetown game with a back injury, Markus
Howard returned to the starting lineup and finished with 24 points, on 14-of-16
from the free-throw line.
Howard did not practice the last five days, which left a lot
of unknowns as to how he would respond. Cooley was glad to see Howard play and
always wants the best players to play.
“We want the best players to play and that is what our
league is all about,” Cooley said. “My plan was for him to play the minute I saw
him sitting on the bench against Georgetown. You never want to play against a
team that doesn’t have their best players. You prepare to play the best and I
am sure he is tough.”
4) Watson your wallet:
A positive sign for Providence was the play of center Nate
Watson with a team-high 21 points. The majority of Watson’s points came in the
second half on layups in the paint, which kept the Friars around in the second
half after a blown nine-point lead in the first half.
Wojciechowski recognized the job Watson did in the post and
how it caused problems for the Marquette defense in the second half.
“He’s a hell of a player, He’s wide and strong, plays really
hard. They did a nice job of feeding him and established the post position,” Wojciechowski
said.
5) Dwyane Wade Day:
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett presented the proclamation,
which declared Jan. 20 as Dwyane Wade Day across the city of Milwaukee during
halftime festivities at center court.
Wojciechowski and Sam Hauser were glad to have a player of
Wade’s credentials return to be honored.
“For Dwyane to come back and allow us to celebrate what Marquette
basketball means to us is an honor for our program,” Wojciechowski said. “He embodies
what our program should be. He’s a first class, elite guy. We were so happy we
were able to do this for him today.”
“It was a really special day not only for him, but our whole
university and the way he represented while he was here,” Hauser said. “He
means a lot to our program and view him as an idol and someone to look up to.”
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