It’s Jimmy V Week, and we’re back at Madison Square Garden again to celebrate all the positive contributions that the V Foundation has made against the scourge of cancer in the last two decades. Join us for our live coverage this evening of what should be two solid games — Missouri vs. Villanova, and Marquette vs. Washington, after the jump.
Games #48-49. College basketball returns to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night with a doubleheader that features teams ranked #10 and #11 in the AP poll. Unfortunately Missouri and Marquette are playing on opposite ends of the card. The Tigers will take on a young Villanova team that hasn’t quite hit its stride yet and the Golden Eagles will take on Washington in the nightcap, in what should be a fast-paced, exciting basketball game. For Missouri, Frank Haith has continued on the pressing ways of Mike Anderson and the Tigers have been running away from all comers. It’ll be interesting to see if Maalik Wayns and the sharp-dressed Jay Wright can handle the crucible. For Marquette, Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder lead a team that is averaging 84 points per game this season, 11th in the nation, against Terrence Ross and the Huskies. It should be two fun games from MSG. Watch the games on ESPN and join our chat tonight.
Missouri 81,Villanova 71.
Missouri’s offense looked like a well-oiled machine, even when the Tigers weren’t hitting shots. When they did it was all over for Villanova. Missouri shot 48.1% in the second half and had 23 assists on 28 baskets in an 81-71 victory on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in the Jimmy V Classic. Marcus Denmon scored 28 points and looked like a National Player of the Year candidate for the Tigers with a steady stream of three-point baskets. He finished 6-10 from beyond the arc. Ricardo Ratliffe had 17 points, including 8-8 shooting from the field, and also grabbed 11 rebounds. Phil Pressey shot only 1-8 from the field, but he had 12 assists.
Jay Wright’s team still seems to be searching for an identity, and playing a Top 10 team wasn’t the best way to find it. While Villanova held Missouri to 38.5% shooting in the first half, the Wildcats were still down 13 points at the break because the Tigers attempted 13 more shots. There’s also the continuing problem of guarding the three-point line. Missouri shot 40% (10-25) from deep and Villanova was often late on rotations. One positive to take from the game for the Wildcats was the play of freshman Darrun Hilliard. He came off the bench and provided some much needed energy and 13 points. Also, after being pounded on the glass in the first half, Villanova did a much better job in the second as the guards got into the act. James Bell and Dominic Cheek both finished with seven boards for the game. With Temple up next Villanova is going to have to answer many questions quickly and prepare itself for the long season ahead.
Marquette 79, Washington 77.
A play that Marquette practices all the time helped the Golden Eagles secure a good non-conference win over Washington, 79-77, at the Jimmy V Classic. With his team trailing by a point and time winding down, Jae Crowder slipped off a Jamil Wilson screen and got a wide-open look at a three for the game-winning basket. Crowder’s basket helped Marquette survive despite the loss of starting center Chris Otule just minutes into the game. Having to play undersized lineups Marquette was outrebounded 46-32, including 18 offensive rebounds by the Huskies. Despite the size difference the Golden Eagles went 19-27 from the line, compared to just 5-10 for the Huskies.
Darius Johnson-Odom led Marquette with 23 points. Freshman Todd Mayo chipped in 11 and five boards. As a team the Golden Eagles had 20 assists to only 10 turnovers. Junior Cadougan returned to the lineup to record six assists against just one turnover. For the Huskies it was a case of close but not enough. Washington still doesn’t have a big win to hold its hat on this season and due to the down nature of the Pac-12, its final shot may come Saturday at MSG against Duke. In the interim the team will take in a few Broadway shows, a television shoot, and prepare for one of their toughest assignments of the season. For even with four players in double-figures, including 19 from Terrence Ross, the Huskies just couldn’t quite get over the hump on Tuesday night.