Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Magical run part of MU’s Big East history

- Ben Steele

The Marquette men’s basketball team is ready for the bright lights of New York again.

The Golden Eagles have clinched the No. 3 seeding in the Big East tournament this week at Madison Square Garden.

MU will play about 8:30 p.m. CT on Thursday against the winner of the Villanova-DePaul matchup.

Here is a look back at how the Golden Eagles performed in their last five league tournament appearance­s:

2023

No. 1 Marquette 65, No. 2 Xavier 51 There was no doubt in the title game, with the Golden Eagles taking in a 24point lead while chants of “We are Marquette!” sounded throughout the World’s Most Famous Arena. Then it was just a matter of time before the confetti fell, and MU could celebrate its first tournament title in 18 years in the Big East.

No. 1 Marquette 70, No. 4 Connecticu­t 68

MU’s high-flying offense was one of the best in the country, but the Golden Eagles’ defense made five straight stops to seal the win. This was the Huskies’ last loss before winning the national championsh­ip.

No. 1 Marquette 72, No. 8 St. John’s 70 (overtime)

The Golden Eagles had to crawl out of a 14-point hole.

2022

No. 4 Creighton 74, No. 5 Marquette 63

The Golden Eagles sputtered down the stretch of Shaka Smart’s first season as head coach. MU fell behind by 13 points and a late rally wasn’t enough as MU lost for the sixth time in 10 games.

2021

No. 8 Georgetown 68, No. 9 Marquette 49

This was the loss that ended Stevie

Wojciechow­ski’s tenure as MU coach.

2020

The Big East tournament only lasted for one half of a game before the pandemic shut down the season.

2019

No. 2 Seton Hall 81, No. 3 Marquette 79

Markus Howard had an unusual stat line, scoring 21 points but only making one field goal.

No. 2 Marquette 86, No. 7 St. John’s 54

Howard had 30 points as the team rolled to an easy victory.

2018

No. 2 Villanova 94, No. 7 Marquette 70

The Wildcats, who rolled to the national championsh­ip that season, shot 19 of 28 (67.9%) in the second half, including 11 of 17 on three-pointers.

No. 7 Marquette 72, No. 10 DePaul 69 The Golden Eagles breathed a sigh of relief after the Blue Demons’ Max Strus missed a three-pointer in the waning seconds.

 ?? ROBERT DEUTSCH / USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (left) and forward David Joplin celebrate after defeating the Xavier Musketeers in the championsh­ip game of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York last season.
ROBERT DEUTSCH / USA TODAY SPORTS Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (left) and forward David Joplin celebrate after defeating the Xavier Musketeers in the championsh­ip game of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York last season.

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