Below is a handy, game-by-game field guide to winter break for those who would like to take the journey back through this past wintry month.
Wisconsin, Dec. 11, at the Bradley Center
The story of the day in Marquette's 63-54 win over Wisconsin was the defensive performances by Marcus Jackson (who also had 15 rebounds) and Chris Grimm in covering Wisconsin forwards (and primary scorers) Alando Tucker and Mike Wilkinson. With their offensive engines ripped out of the hood, the Badgers had little chance against Travis Diener and Marquette.
Arizona, Dec. 18, at the Bradley Center
Although the final score was 48-43, in favor of Arizona, the game was within reach for Marquette, who held Arizona to its lowest point total since a 50-41 loss to Alabama in 1985. However, the Wildcats put on a defensive clinic in their own right, shutting down Marquette's offense and holding the Golden Eagles to their least productive offensive output since a 55-35 loss to DePaul on Feb. 16, 2000 at home. The game also marked Marquette's first loss of the season.
Nebraska, Dec. 21, at the Bradley Center
In its last "name" game of the non-conference season, Marquette played their formula — high scoring from guards, defense and rebounding from big men — to a tee, beating Nebraska, 81-62. Diener led the team (and the game) with 32 points, including seven 3-pointers, tying the career record he set against TCU in last year's C-USA tournament.
Coppin State, Dec. 29, at the Bradley Center
In their last game of 2004, the Golden Eagles beat Coppin State, 65-55, never trailing throughout the game and keeping at least a seven point cushion between themselves and the other Eagles. Diener once again led Marquette with 16 points.
Indiana-Purdue Ft. Wayne, Jan. 2, at the Bradley Center
Marquette opened the new year with a bang, trouncing IPFW 91-57 in the last game of the non-conference season. Four Golden Eagles scored in double-digits — Diener with 21, sophomore guard Dameon Mason with 14, junior forward Steve Novak with 12 and senior forward Todd Townsend with 15 — while Jackson cleaned up with 16 boards. Diener also recorded a double-double with 11 assists. The team finished its non-conference season with a 12-1 record.
Tulane, Jan. 8, at New Orleans
Opening up conference play on the road, the Golden Eagles struggled early on, but managed to pull out the win against the Green Wave in the Big Easy. Something lit forward Ryan Amoroso on fire, as the freshman practically scorched Tulane for 18 points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes of play. Diener, meanwhile, turned in another double-double with 21 points and 12 assists as Marquette overcame a nine-point deficit at halftime to cruise to an 82-68 win.
Memphis, Jan. 13, at Memphis
In the one major blemish on Marquette's winter break schedule, the Tigers blew out the Golden Eagles, 78-68, to give Marquette its second loss of the year and first in conference play. But where the loss against Arizona featured tough defensive play by Marquette, the game against Memphis was marked by 25 turnovers.
Amoroso notched his first career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Jan. 18 2005.