March 3, 2008

MU-FGCU Game Notes (PDF)

The 21/20 Marquette University men's basketball team completes the home portion of its 2007-08 campaign Tuesday night when the squad hosts Florida Gulf Coast in non-conference action at the Bradley Center. The opening tip on "Senior Night" is set for 7 p.m. Time Warner Sports will produce and air the production, with Dennis Krause (play-by-play) and Jeff Nix (analyst) calling the action. Tuesday's matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Four Players To Be Honored On Senior Night
Following Tuesday night's home finale, the Marquette men's basketball program will honor the four members of its senior class with a postgame ceremony.

The lone four-year member of this year's senior class, Ousmane Barro is one of the most experienced players in school history. He has appeared in 120 career games, earning 61 starting assignments, and is currently ranked among the program's top all-time performers in blocks and field goal percentage. He has swatted 91 opposing shot attempts since his arrival in Milwaukee to rank 8th all-time and his 55.9 percent clip from the floor is currently second all-time.

Forward Lawrence Blackledge has appeared in 40 career games, earning one starting assignment since arriving from the junior college ranks. He owns game averages of 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds per outing and has connected on 53.6 percent of his shot opportunities. He is second on the team in 2007-08 in blocks.

In his three seasons with the program, walk on Tommy Brice has appeared in 21 career games for the Golden Eagles. He owns a personal-best eight appearances in 2007-08 and netted his first career point with a free throw against Sacramento State on Dec. 15.

Forward Dan Fitzgerald will conclude his career at Marquette as one of the top long-distance shooters in program history. He is currently ranked seventh all-time in 3-point field goal percentage (40.8 percent) and owns 107 treys since transferring from Tulane. He has appeared in 88 career games with 17 starts and has knocked down numerous key baskets for the Golden Eagles during his tenure.

BIG EAST Tourney Scenario Taking Shape
As the final week of the regular season begins, Marquette's seeding in the BIG EAST Tournament is beginning to take shape.

The Golden Eagles will own either the fifth or sixth seed in the 12-team field, matching the team up with the 11th or 12th seed on Wednesday, March 12 in Madison Square Garden. A victory by Marquette over Syracuse on Saturday afternoon or a loss by West Virginia in either of its last two games would assure MU the fifth seed.