As sports fans, we all know what a letdown game looks like no matter the sport. After a big win, it is very possible to suffer a letdown and get beat by an inferior opponent the next game. Letdowns seem to happen more in college basketball than anyone other sport. Maybe that’s me being in the moment, but I feel like they’re much more common. Marquette stared down a situation like this on Tuesday night playing DePaul. After a late first half run, Golden Eagles never really looked back and handled the Blue Demons with ease, 92-73, in a great win for Marquette avoiding the dreaded loss after a big game.

Player of the Game: Markus Howard – Much like when I do the Bucks recaps, people probably get sick of seeing Markus Howard at the top. He usually deserves it when we’re discussing the past game. Howard had 36 points with 4-for-9 shooting from deep, but there was an amazing long-range dagger from him very late in the game. DePaul tried to throw big bodies at him like St. John’s did, but Howard’s athletic ability outweighed these big men coming at him.

Silver Star: Sam Hauser – Good to see Sam Hauser get himself going again after a rough outing versus Villanova. He ended up with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists with more of his scoring coming early in this game. He had a quick 10 points to give Marquette a lift early on. It’s importance to have those guys on the road. Letdowns happen when shots aren’t falling and teams are settling. Hauser did not allow that to happen.

Thing I liked: Jamal Cain stepping up – Again, we have a story where a Marquette player’s role lessened on the team this season then when called upon, he had a big moment. With foul trouble plaguing Marquette’s front court, Steve Wojciechowski went with Cain. He did only score five points, but he gave them really good minutes off the bench. Wonder if Wojo makes a move to get him more time on the court to finish off the year.

Thing I didn’t like: Big East officials show their ass again – I’m not one to complain about officials after loss, although, if I’m a Kentucky fan this morning, it’s hard not to look at a referee for the reason they lost the game. That said, Big East refs continue to stink on ice. They called over 20 fouls in the second half. Part of the reason why Marquette could not put DePaul away was the whistle became so high on defense. Thankfully, Marquette survived with a win.

Next up: Marquette gets another week off before they head home to play Butler next Wednesday night at the Fiserv Forum. Butler suffered a tough overtime loss at St. John’s last night, and the Bulldogs are clinging on to a tournament hope. They’re going to need this win to give themselves a shot. Marquette dominated the Bulldogs the first time around, and they’ll try to do it again. I worry about the long layoff considering how they played against St. John’s, but we’ll address that next week.