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One of the most understated rivalries in the BIG EAST comes to a head on Saturday afternoon as the Marquette Golden Eagles (16-10, 5-8) take on the DePaul Blue Demons (8-17, 2-11).
Saturday will be the 118th time the Golden Eagles and Blue Demons square off. Both teams joined the Conference USA at the same time, before joining the BIG EAST at the same time as well. Marquette has a 71-46 series edge.
While these might not be the two best teams in the BIG EAST, rivalry games are always worth getting hyped up over. Even looking past the fact that these two have a rivalry on the court, the states of Illinois and Wisconsin have a rivalry off the court as well. Residents of those states do not care for each other.
How to watch, listen, or stream
Game Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports Net (Check local listings)
Radio: BlueTube (DePaul), Marquette Sports Network (Marquette)
Stream: FOX Sports Go (Where available)
Gamblin' Info
Line: Marquette comes into the game as a 2.5 point favorite, per OddsShark.
Records ATS: Marquette 10-15 || DePaul 8-15-1
O/U: 142
Three-Point Preview
1. Marquette Seeking Revenge
The last time these two faced off, the Blue Demons won at the buzzer thanks to Billy Garrett, Jr's and-one. The Golden Eagles haven't been swept by the Blue Demons since both schools joined the BIG EAST, so Marquette certainly should have a chip on their collective shoulder going into Saturday's contest.
2. Henry Ellenson vs. Myke Henry
Each team's best player will be matched up against each other all game, most likely. Henry Ellenson comes into the affair fourth in the BIG EAST in scoring at 16.6 points per game, and first in rebounding at 10.0 per game.
Myke Henry, on the other hand, is 11th in the conference in scoring (14.3) and 15th in rebounding (6.4). Henry's also coming off a pedestrian five point, four rebound performance against St. John's, so he'll be looking to bounce back.
3. Freshmen reign supreme?
DePaul freshman Eli Cain had (a career-high) 25 points and four steals in the loss to St. John's on Wednesday, and he'll look to continue that success against Marquette.
It won't be easy, however. In addition to Ellenson, Marquette freshmen Traci Carter and Haanif Cheatham are both having very nice rookie campaigns.
This will, ultimately, be a battle of two teams who are likely looking forward to next season, so it's important to watch how some of these players perform.