Marquette Golden Eagles and Wisconsin Badgers have different goals to start the 2018-2019 college basketball season. For Marquette, they’re trying to push for the top spot in down Big East. While Wisconsin is trying to reclaim the glory and bounce back from a horrendous 2017-2018 campaign where they missed the tournament for the first time in 20 years. Both teams are unranked to start the year, but Marquette finished at the 27th spot in the standings showing their right on the cusp of being considered ranked. Wisconsin has a little more work to do in the postseason only receiving seven votes.

Marquette will have a challenging year in non-conference and conference. As pointed out below, Marquette will play more than half of their games against teams who are either ranked or have received votes in the preseason polls. It’s a great test for Marquette. If Kansas does not lose early on, Golden Eagles will have a showdown with the number one team in Brooklyn. There are big resume wins all over the place for the Golden Eagles early on in the season to make up for the Big East not being as good as it’s been in the last few years.

As for Wisconsin, the comeback to prominence could be off to a quick start in the non-conference. They do not have many games versus tpp-tier opponents early on. Actually, they play more potential bubble teams like Xavier, NC State and Stanford early on in the season. Also, a win against Marquette on the road would go a long way in March. The Battle 4 Atlantis might be perfect opportunity for Wisconsin. They play the Cardinal to begin the tournament then could see Florida in a Sweet 16 rematch and get fifth-ranked Virginia in the final. Like the Big East, the Big Ten is not that strong this year, but there will be opportunities in conference as well.

It should be a fun year for both teams. Cannot wait to get the recaps started for both teams in a couple weeks.

Charlie.