Marquette hosts Maryland-Baltimore County, a member of the America East conference, tonight at 7 p.m., in its first game since returning from a fifth place finish at the Maui Invitational last week.
The Golden Eagles will be without the services of junior guard Vander Blue as he recovers from a knee sprain suffered in Wednesday’s 72-64 win over Southern California. Blue is expected to return Thursday when Marquette travels to Florida.
The Retrievers come to Milwaukee with a record of 1-3, with their only win coming against Eastern (Pa.), a Division III school.
UMBC is led by senior guard Ryan Cook, who is averaging 18.5 points – tops in the America East conference – and 8.5 rebounds per game. Junior forward Chase Plummer also chips in 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Last time out, the Retrievers lost a close one, 83-82 in overtime against Central Connecticut State. Cook posted his second double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds) of the season in the loss.
The game also marks the return of former Marquette recruit Brett Roseboro to Milwaukee. Roseboro, a 6-foot-10 junior, was supposed to make his debut at Marquette in 2009, but transferred before playing a game.
Roseboro spent two seasons at St. Bonaventure before sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. In four games this year, Roseboro is averaging 6.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.6 percent from the field.
UMBC shouldn’t present much of a challenge for Marquette, as it ranks No. 333 out of 347 Division I teams in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 313 in effective field goal defense.
