How to watch, listen, and stream
Game Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 2 (Brian Anderson, Nick Bahe)
RADIO: Catamount Sports Network (Western Carolina) , ESPN 540 Milwaukee (Marquette)
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (where available)
Gamblin’ Info
According to OddsShark.com, Marquette is listed as a 24-point favorite over Western Carolina.
All-Time Series
The Golden Eagles have won all four previous meetings with the Catamounts. Most recently, they met on Dec. 19, 2008, when Marquette won 97-77 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
What to Watch For
Keeping it 100
In Marquette’s 100-year history, the basketball program had never seen its team score at least 100 points in three straight games. The Golden Eagles will have the opportunity to accomplish that feat for the first time ever on Wednesday night. Since losing back-to-back games at the 2K Classic in Madison Square Garden, the Golden Eagles have looked fantastic offensively. They bounced back, winning the previous two games against IUPUI and Houston Baptist by at least 20 points—while scoring over a 100. It’s possible that Marquette is able to pull it off against a Catamount defense that has allowed opponents to shoot at an alarming rate of just under 50 percent inside the arc. Over the last two games, the Golden Eagles have thrived inside, going 54-of-78 (69.2 percent) on their 2-point shots.
Big Day for Big Fisch?
Western Carolina’s tallest player in its rotation is freshman forward Yalim Olcay, who comes in at 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. This is favorable news for Marquette's experienced senior big man Luke Fischer, who is 6-11 and 250 pounds. Fischer is one of the most efficient scorers out there, making 74.5 percent of his shots on the floor (ninth-best in all of Division I). The lack of size from Western Carolina to challenge him up front will provide the Golden Eagles an easy solution around the basket. This game can also provide a great opportunity for 6-10 sophomore Matt Heldt to get more minutes than usual of live action play, if head coach Steve Wojciechowski chooses to.
Dikembe’s Nephew
Haboubacar Mutombo is Western Carolina’s leading man. Unlike his shot-blocking, gargantuan, finger-wagging uncle, Haboubacar plays at the guard position for the Catamounts. The 6-5 junior is the only player on Western Carolina’s roster that averages over 10 points per game (10.8). He also leads the team in rebounds (7.8 per game) and assists (2.6 per game). It’s safe to say he does a little of everything for his team. Mutombo takes smart shots, often choosing to attack the basket but can occasionally sink 3-pointers if given the chance. So far this season, he is doing well as a first-year starter but doesn’t seem to be that type of player that can take over a game or singlehandedly carry his team.
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