Marquette-Florida preview

By foxsports
Published



Marquette Golden Eagles (27-7)

Conference:



Big East

NCAA Tournament ticket: At-large bid.

How they got to Phoenix: Beat BYU, 88-68, and Murray State, 62-53.
Stats leaders: Points: G Darius Johnson-Odom, 18.5. Rebounds: F Jae Crowder, 8.4. Assists: G Junior Cadougan, 5.4. Blocks: C Chris Otule, 1.6. Field goal percentage: Otule, 60.0. 3-pt. percentage: Odom, 38.9

Top wins: Wisconsin, Louisville, Georgetown.

3 keys to victory

1. Control the long boards:

The Gators get offensive rebounds on 34 percent of their missed shots, 38 percent of which are 3-pointers. That means the Eagles will need to box out and anticipate trajectories to keep the Gators from gaining second chances, a lifeblood of their offense.

2. Stay in control: Of the past three opponents -- Louisville, BYU, and Murray State -- two played faster, transition styles. Florida, which averages more than 76 points a game, should offer the same. Marquette must play under control with a structured transition offense.

3. Guard the ball screen: Marquette coach Buzz Williams has great admiration for Florida’s offense, which is second most prolific in the SEC. “How you guard Patric Young in a ball screen vs. how you guard Erik Murphy, you have to be very careful with that," coach Buzz Williams said. Jamil Wilson and Jae Crowder will play vital roles here.
    
Florida Gators (25-10)

Conference:

SEC

NCAA Tournament ticket: At-large bid

How they got to Phoenix: Beat Virginia, 71-45, and Norfolk State, 84-50.

Stats leaders: Points: G Kenny Boynton, 16.1. Rebounds: G Bradley Beal, 6.7. Assists: G Erving Walker, 4.6. Blocks: F/C Erik Murphy, 1.0. Field goal percentage: F/C Patric Young, 61.8. 3-pt. percentage: Murphy, 43.1.

Top wins: Florida State, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt

3 keys to victory

1. Rain 3s:

 Florida is 28th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at 38.3. Six players have made 20 or more 3s. Shooting a high percentage will keep Marquette’s fast-paced offense at bay.

2. Don’t be fooled: Florida won its second- and third-round NCAA Tournament games by a combined 60 points, holding Virginia and Norfolk State to a cumulative 95 points, but Marquette has the top scoring offense in the Big East, the conference player of the year in forward Jae Crowder and a pace that could be dangerous if Florida can't get up and down the floor with the Golden Eagles.

3. Get unexpected help up front: F Will Yeguete (4.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) isn’t expected to play because of a foot injury suffered in February, so the Gators are thin up front. They’ll need others to step up.