Nov 19, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart talks with guard Kam Jones (1) during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images A pair of unbeaten teams will square off in a neutral-site battle on Saturday morning as No. 15 Marquette meets Georgia in Nassau, Bahamas.
Marquette will make the journey for just the one game, while Georgia will take on No. 22 St. John’s at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort on Sunday.
The Golden Eagles (5-0) are coming off their first marquee win of the season, 76-58 at home over No. 6 Purdue on Tuesday. After the Boilermakers tied the game at 12 with 12:31 left in the first half, Stevie Mitchell’s layup gave Marquette a lead it never surrendered.
Mitchell scored a career-high 21 points, while Kam Jones became just the third Golden Eagle to ever record a triple-double, chipping in 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, as Marquette snapped Purdue’s 39-game regular-season, non-conference winning streak — the fourth-longest in NCAA history.
A rarity in this era of college sports, Jones and Mitchell are two seniors who have stuck with the program for four years. The duo will look to help Marquette to its first 6-0 start since 2011-12, when it began the year 10-0.
“(Jones) has worked his tail off,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “He’s always had better ability as a playmaker than some might think, but his role was a little different when we had Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro, because those guys were such good passers. We still need him to score, but he also has the ball in his hands more, and we need him to create opportunities for other guys.”
As for Mitchell, Smart said he helps to make the team run.
“I don’t think until Stevie graduates and moves on will we fully feel what we have in him,” the coach said. “I just encourage everyone to enjoy this year while we have him here. He’s a combination of will, toughness, heart, and he’s extremely smart.”
Jones leads the team with averages 22.6 points and 6 assists per game, while Mitchell chips in 13.6 points per contest.
Standing in the way of Marquette’s potential 6-0 start is a Georgia team that’s seen little resistance to begin the year. The Bulldogs (5-0) have won their first five games by an average score of 87 to 66.6, most recently blowing out Alabama A&M at home Tuesday, 93-45.
Led in scoring by Asa Newell (16.8 points per game) and sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. (14.6), the Bulldogs are off to their best start since beginning 7-0 in 2020-21.
Georgia’s hot streak will be tested in the Bahamas, as coach Mike White’s team will see its first big challenge on Saturday.
“Marquette will demand our attention and respect. It’s a great program,” White said. “Shaka has done a phenomenal job up there, and from what I’ve heard on the outside looking in, they’ve got a good culture and really good players. It’ll be a high-level game and a good opportunity to see where we’re at.”
The two programs have met three times, most recently a 73-66 Georgia win in Milwaukee on Dec. 2, 2017.
–Field Level Media