By Charles Hollister
MARQUETTE GAME NOTES
https://gomarquette.com/documents/2024/12/12/Game_11_-_Marquette_at_Dayton.pdf
CBS Sports Network features 6 p.m. CT television broadcast
The No. 6/4 Marquette University men’s basketball team (9-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. CT when the squad travels to Dayton (8-2, 0-0 Atlantic 10) to conclude the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 campaign. CBS Sports Network features the national television broadcast, with Chris Lewis (play-by-play) and Steve Lappas (analyst) calling the action. Following Saturday’s outing, the Golden Eagles will open BIG EAST Conference action on Wednesday, Dec. 18 against Butler at Fiserv Forum.
Series With Flyers Began In 1966-67 Campaign
Marquette and Dayton have an extended all-time series history, but haven’t met on the court since the 2008-09 campaign.
The Golden Eagles hold a 21-14 advantage in the series, with the last victory at Dayton coming on Dec. 27, 1996.
The most recent matchup came on Nov. 29, 2008 in the Chicago Invitational and the Flyers posted an 89-75 win.
Head coach Shaka Smart worked for Oliver Purnell at Dayton as director of basketball operations for two seasons (2001-03). During that time, the Flyers registered a 45-17 mark and won the 2003 Atlantic 10 Championship. The 2002-03 squad posted a 24-6 record and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
MU Wrapping Up Tough Non-League Schedule
Saturday’s game at Dayton will conclude the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 campaign for the Golden Eagles, a schedule that ranks amongst the toughest in the nation.
Through games of Dec. 11, the NCAA ranks Marquette’s schedule as the 11th-toughest in the country. The Golden Eagles faced a trio of top-25 teams (#6 Purdue, #6 Iowa State and #11 Wisconsin) and also traveled to Maryland and faced Georgia at a neutral site.
This season’s matchups with Maryland, Purdue and Dayton all marked the beginning of home-and-home series.
Jones Scores 32, But Defense Key In UW Win
Senior guard Kam Jones finished with 32 points, his sixth-career 30-point game and second this season, but it was Marquette’s defense that helped the team rally for an 88-74 win over No. 11/11 Wisconsin.
The Golden Eagles forced 16 turnovers and turned those miscues into 18 points for an 11-point margin in that category. Marquette’s offense finished with just five total turnovers (one in second half), its fewest since the quarterfinals of the 2023 BIG EAST tournament against Villanova.
Ross Returns To Form In Latest Win
After limited action in the previous three games, most recently playing just 10 minutes at Iowa State after suffering a foot injury, junior guard Chase Ross was back to contributing at both ends of the court in the win over Wisconsin.
The Dallas native finished with 12 points, a personal-best eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot in 36 minutes of action. He finished 8-of-9 from the charity stripe, marking career highs in both makes and attempts.
Ross has reached double figures in 6-of-10 outings.
Jones Helping More As Holidays Approach
Senior guard Kam Jones is ranked among the league and national leaders in assists for the season, but his ability to protect the ball, especially in the last six games, has been equally important.
Since his triple-double against Purdue on Nov. 19, Jones owns an assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.1 and has turned the ball over just nine times in an average of 31.6 minutes per night as the primary ball handler.
In the last six outings, Jones is contributing 17.8 points, 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field.
COURTESY MARQUETTE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
