Two weeks ago, Marquette started a tough four-game stretch featuring games against Villanova, Butler, Xavier and Providence. Many experts thought the team would be wise to win two of those four games. Even if they only won one, they might be on the bubble with little room for error, and if they won three, it could mean they’re safely in. Instead, Marquette lost all four with two being in blowout fashion, three at home and one loss on National Marquette Day where the win was solely in reach. Where do the Golden Eagles go from here as bubble talk might not be a thing anymore, and how much blame is on Steve Wojciechowski?

The Andrew Rowsey problem
First thing that Wojciechowski needs to address is the fact Markus Howard and Rowsey cannot play together. All of the sudden, Rowsey’s play cratered back to earth, and he looks like a shell of himself from earlier in the year. He needs to lead the bench unit. There’s nothing wrong with a perimeter scorer being the sixth man of the team. Greg Elliott provides so much more on both sides of the ball that he’s a better fit with Howard on the perimeter in the starting role. People were hoping Rowsey fouled out on Saturday, so, he didn’t have to play in crunch time minutes. I’m not sure I agree, but that’s where fans are at with Rowsey.

How to be road warriors
If Marquette is going to play itself back on the bubble, they need to become road warriors. Golden Eagles play five of the next six games away from the Bradley Center starting on Wednesday night when they head to New Jersey for a showdown with Seton Hall. If Marquette could beat the Pirates again, they would have a sweep of Hall then have a chance to do the same with Creighton. That might be the way to a solid resume. One thing about Marquette right now is they don’t have a ton of bad losses on their resume. Georgia might be the worst one, but that’s not even that bad compared to others. Golden Eagles cannot slip versus the DePaul’s, St. John’s or Georgetown’s of the world or it’s over for the bubble.

Is Wojo losing job security?
With fans, there’s no question about it. Not sure how the athletic department feels but losing three straight home games in a span of a week is a tough look. And in those games, the opposing coaches outcoached Wojo in all of them. The finish to the Marquette-Providence game was the example of a coach not trusting his team to do the right thing. He took a timeout with .59 seconds left and down three to run a play that caused confusion and led to a Howard forced three. Marquette got the ball back with six seconds left but no timeouts leading to Howard turning the ball over. Wojo has a dynamite recruiting class next season but his seat is warmer than ever.

Next up
Like we mentioned, Marquette heads to Seton Hall on Wednesday. A month ago or so, the Golden Eagles played their best game of the year against a team who gives them fits usually. Let’s see if they can do it again.

Charlie.