According to Mike Broeker, associate athletic director for marketing and communications, buses will be offered for all student season ticket holders from Appleton, Wis., and Schaumburg, Ill., to the home game versus Connecticut on Jan. 3, 2006. An official announcement with more information is expected to be made Friday.
Fine Pine
The Golden Eagles' bench outscored Valparaiso's 28-0, with junior Dan Fitzgerald and sophomore Ryan Amoroso leading the way for Marquette with eight points apiece.
"Our bench came in and really played well," said head coach Tom Crean. "It means your bench is getting more consistent because you don't want a big drop-off when you go to your bench, and I think our guys are taking some pride in that."
Free First Half
The Golden Eagles attempted all 12 of their free throw attempts in the first half, finishing 11-12 from the line.
"I think we got a little trapped in the second half at the three point line," said freshmen Jerel McNeal. "We took more jump shots in the second half than we wanted to."
Oppland held in check
Valparaiso's leading scorer Dan Oppland was held 13 points under his scoring average, finishing with 10 thanks to the defensive efforts of senior Steve Novak and Amoroso.
"I am really proud of the job defensively our front line did on Oppland led by Steve," Crean said. "He is a very good player and I thought they did an excellent job of understanding of what we wanted to take away."
Crean passes Raymonds
With the 69-54 victory over Valparaiso, Crean passed Hank Raymonds to move into third place on the all-time wins list at Marquette.
"It means a lot because of how good a coach and how great a person Hank Raymonds is," Crean said. "Anytime you move up in the situations like that you think about the person you passed and you think about the players that played for you and the ones that play for you now.
"I've never had to make a lay-up, or make a free throw, or get a stop; they have. I try to really focus what the wins are for our players."
Crean trails Bill Chandler, who won 193 games from 1930-'51, and Al McGuire, who won 295 games from 1964-'77, on the school's coaching win list.