In the last few years with DePaul being one of the worst programs in college basketball, there was always the worry about going to DePaul for a game. That old Rosemont gym played like a house of horrors for teams where baskets would go missing and shots didn’t fall. DePaul moved to a brand new arena closer to downtown, but even the new feel of it did not shake its reputation of being a house of horrors. Marquette suffers a terribly disappointing loss, 70-62, where DePaul surged ahead in the second half for victory.

Markus Howard returns but the results are not positive
It’s really interesting to see Markus Howard get 31 minutes in the game after Steve Wojciechowski made him a ‘game-time decision’ and said he might be ‘limited due to not doing much this week.’ The second part was a lie. Howard found his way out there for most of the game. He did not play very well in his first game back with only 12 points on 5-for-13 shooting missing five threes. Howard did not really have a rhythm at this point. Additionally, Wojciechowski refused to structure him and Andrew Rowsey in the second half which cost this team dearly.

Theo John and Harry Froling’s lack of minutes is appalling
Marquette needed some size inside on Saturday afternoon. They were getting dominated on the glass, yet, Wojo refused to bring in John or Froling for help. We’ve seen three straight DNP-CD’s for Froling who came into this season with a good amount of hype, and there’s no word of an injury. John played only two minutes in the second half where as Marquette could have really used him down the stretch. Wojo’s decision to play two small guards versus another big guy cost him the game.

Flush Marquette’s tourney hopes down the drain
There are some optimistic fans who believe if Marquette wins tonight and Saturday, they’ll be in the tournament with a good first round victory. Marquette sits at 7-9 and would be .500 for the season shall they win these two this week. I’m not buying into the idea this team deserves a spot. They’ve lost to DePaul and St. John’s in the last three weeks. Only way they can barge in is if they get hot in the conference tournament, and it will take Marquette’s coach to change how he’s doing some things with his rotations.

Next up
Quick turnaround for Marquette as they play Georgetown tonight. Hoyas have lost five of their last seven, but all of the games have been within 10 points, so, I’m not expecting Marquette to waltz in and win. Hoyas’ size could be an issue after we saw what DePaul did on Saturday. Marquette sits as the seventh seed in the Big East, but two wins could change a lot of things by the end of this week.

Charlie.