Marquette Faces UConn in High-Stakes Big East Showdown

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A top-25 matchup between Marquette and two-time defending national champion Connecticut (UConn) drew a standing-room-only crowd to Fiserv Forum on Saturday night, capping off a loaded slate of college basketball games. The game, part of National Marquette Day, marked the first meeting this season between the Big East powerhouses.

UConn (18-3, 9-1 Big East) entered the game as the conference leader, while Marquette (15-6, 7-3) aimed to avenge last season’s loss to the Huskies, which spoiled their hopes of back-to-back Big East titles. The Huskies, however, faced challenges with key injuries, including freshman sharpshooter Liam McNeeley, who has been sidelined since Jan. 1 with a high-ankle sprain.

“Liam practiced today,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said Friday. “He was almost full practice. We’ll see how he feels in the morning and make a game-time decision.” McNeeley, a 6-foot-7 forward averaging 13.6 points and shooting 37.9% from three-point range, is considered a potential first-round NBA draft pick.

UConn’s top defensive guard, Hassan Diarra, is also dealing with minor injuries but is expected to play. Marquette, meanwhile, leaned on National Player of the Year contender Kam Jones, who averages 18.9 points and 6.3 assists per game. Stevie Mitchell, another key player for the Golden Eagles, has been a defensive force, averaging 2.9 steals in their last eight games.

The game tipped off at 8 p.m. ET and was broadcast on Fox, with streaming options available on the Fox Sports Go app and FuboTV. Marquette, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, sought to capitalize on UConn’s injury woes and inconsistent performance this season.

UConn, despite its recent struggles, has notable ranked wins against Baylor and Gonzaga. Marquette, however, has shown resilience, with Jones and Mitchell leading the charge. The Golden Eagles’ ability to overcome slow starts in recent games could prove decisive in this high-stakes matchup.

Prediction: Marquette 80, UConn 76. With McNeeley’s status uncertain and Marquette’s home-court advantage, the Golden Eagles are poised to secure a crucial top-25 victory.