The Marquette Golden Eagles beat the Colgate Raiders 84-63. in their season opener and the opening game of the Maui Invitational. The Carrier Classic against Ohio State was cancelled on Friday due to condensation on the court.

Jamil Wilson score 14 points and Davante Gardener had 14 points off the bench. Chris Otule scored 11 points in his first game back after being injured last season.

The Golden Eagles were able to force 18 turnovers and outscore Colgate 50-16 in the paint. The Raiders were able to outrebound Marquette 39-37. The Golden Eagles never trailed in the game and in the second half Colgate got no closer than 15 points.

Marquette will face Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday at 8 pm CST in Milwaukee.

Due to condensation on the court, the Carrier Classic was cancel. Sad day.

Photo from @muathletics

Marquette’s Carrier Classic Uniforms

Marquette basketball opens up its season today against Ohio State in the Carrier Classic. The Carrier Classic benefits the  Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and The Wounded Warrior Project, and The Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Marquette will be with out Todd Mayo who was ruled academically ineligible for the first semester of the season but Chris Otule will be returning to the court after suffering a knee injury last season. Davante Gardner is back as Marquette’s leading rebounder and the offense will get a boost from transfer Trent Lockett and freshman Steve Taylor.

The Buckeyes will be a nice challenge for the Golden Eagles even without Jared Sullinger and William Buford. They still pose a threat with Deshaun Thomas, Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. Thomas was named a preseason All-American and averaged 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in his junior year. Craft was named the Big Ten’s top defender last season and averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 assists a game.

Ohio State made it to the Final Four last March before falling to Kansas. With most of their team returning, it will be a tough battle for Marquette.

The Carrier Classic tips off at 6 pm CST on NBC Sports. I can’t wait to cheer on my Golden Eagles!

Marquette sophomore Todd Mayo has been ruled academically ineligible for the first semester of the basketball season. He will not be allowed to play or practice during that time period.

Marquette has had its ups and downs with Mayo. He has been suspended from the team twice in his time at Marquette, once over the summer for violating team rules and once last season against West Virginia.

Head coach Buzz William says, “Todd understands success in our program requires a sincere commitment to excellence on and off the floor. I’m extremely disappointed he’s put himself in this position, but he has the full support of our program as he works to improve.”

The Golden Eagle’s season opener is on Friday against Ohio State in the Carrier Classic.

Photo from Memphis Roar

Marquette basketball adds another recruit to its 2013 class with JaJuan Johnson from Southwind High in Memphis, TN. The announcement of Johnson’s verbal commitment was made on Friday.

JaJuan Johnson is 6-foot-5 and is ranked 69 in the Top 100 recruits on CBSSports.com. He is very long and athletic and able to shoot 3-pointers consistently. Johnson broke out during Boo Williams EYBL summer camp by showing off his diverse set of skills.

So far the 2013 recruiting class consists of Johnson, Duane Wilson, and Deonte Burton along with junior college transfer Jameel McKay.

The Marquette basketball season kicks off tonight with Marquette Madness at the Al McGuire Center. Get ready for team intros, commercials, and tons of other great things on display at the Al.

Check out the Marquette Madness intro video here.

For those not able to make it to the Al McGuire Center, MUTV will stream it live here, starting at 6:30 pm. I am so excited for basketball to be back!!

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,  multiple sources have confirmed that New Mexico guard John Dawson has committed to Marquette.

Dawson is a 6 foot 2 combo guard from Clovis High School in New Mexico. He could be a good replacement for TJ Taylor who left Marquette in July.

The class of 2013 could be complete with his addition. Dawson would join  junior-college transfer Jameel McKay, Milwaukee Vincent’s Deonte Burton and Duane Wilson from Whitefish Bay Dominican.

Every year the Marquette basketball players shoot video that is used during home games. Here are some of the outtakes. You’re welcome.

After waiting for what seems like forever, Marquette’s Big East schedule was announced. It features five home Saturday games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center (I’m still not used to calling it that.) as well as a Big Monday matchups. You can see the full schedule below. I can’t wait for the return of basketball season!

Scott Monarch

Marquette head coach Buzz Williams announced that assistant coach Scott Monarch was dismissed on Friday and that he will seve a one game suspension as part of self imposed sanctions for NCAA rules violations.

It was reported that Monarch gave team issued apparel and gave unauthorized transportation to a recruit. He then was untruthful about these events with the administration when the violations were discovered.

Here is what coach Williams said on the matter: “When I was allowed to review the report earlier this week, I was deeply saddened to learn of an error in judgment of one of my assistants and closest friends. I take personal responsibility for what happens in this program and realize we must be role models to both our team and the entire university. Our commitment has always been and will always be to operate this program at the highest level of integrity in the Marquette and Jesuit tradition.” » Continue reading “Marquette Assistant Coach Dismissed”