Marquette sets its schedule

The Marquette men’s basketball team will play its final home game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center against Creighton on March 3, coming on the heels of playing five of six on the road.

The Big East released its schedule Tuesday, and the Golden Eagles open conference play Dec 27 against Xavier at the Bradley Center.

“For me, this being my fourth go-round, I’m not sure I’ve ever looked at a Big East schedule and said, ‘Wow that’s favorable.’ Just because of the quality of teams in our conference,” MU coach Steve Wojciechowski said at an event announcing

plans for the final year at the Bradley Center.

The Golden Eagles, who finished 19-13 last season and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, also have a tough stretch at home, playing Villanova on Jan. 28, Butler on Jan. 31 and Providence on Feb. 3.

The next home game comes against St. John’s on Feb. 21, sandwiched between road contests at Seton Hall (Feb. 7), St. John’s (Feb. 10), Creighton (Feb. 17), DePaul (Feb. 24) and Georgetown (Feb. 26).

“There’s always going to be tough stretches. That comes with being in a great conference,” Wojciechowski said. “I’m not one who gets too bent out of shape about scheduling. You play the game in front of you to the best of your ability and hopefully you’ve prepared well and executed well enough to win.”

The Golden Eagles coach also reflected on the Bradley Center, the only home venue he has known as a head coach since making his debut with a 79-63 victory over Tennessee Martin in the building on Nov. 15, 2014.

“It’s been an amazing home for our program,” Wojciechowski said. “When you talk to Marquette fans and they’re talking about their favorite memories, so many of the things that I’ve heard from people that support our program are events that have taken place in this place.

“So to be the caretaker of the program and coach the last team that will play here, there is significance to that and that’s something we will make very apparent to our guys.”

Wojciechowski cited last season’s win over top-ranked Villanova as a special moment at the Bradley Center.

“I think that’s a night that I won’t forget and I think a lot of Marquette fans will remember as well,” he said.