Marquette's last court action was a four-point loss to Duke in the Maui Invitational (77-73). That game has given the Golden Eagles considerable respect (nationally) as it's been Duke closest contest thus far. Of course, with a plethora of point production back from last year's 24-win squad, Marquette was expected to do well.

Tom Crean's club is led by its backcourt stars, Dominic James and Jerel McNeal. Those two have combined to average nearly 30 points per game so far, although James has struggled from the floor. Assuming he starts to hit more open looks, this team can stick with any other in the country. Consistency has been the weakness for this talented team; ever since Crean welcomed the now class of juniors, they've had a series of up and down moments.

It will be difficult for the Panthers to keep up with Marquette's tempo, especially without dismissed star player Avery Smith. To compensate for Smith's scoring, forwards Paige Paulson and Torre Johnson have picked up their games (both have averaged better than 16 points through six games). Pauslon and Johnson have not faced a team of Marquette's caliber yet, though.

Rob Jeter would like to end the Panthers' draught in this series -- since it began, in 1917, UW-Milwaukee has never won (34-0).

Player to watch: Marquette sophomore Lazar Hayward, who has had a nice start to the year. The 6-foot-6 New York native will need to contend with Milwaukee's outstanding forwards.