Marquette opens season against IUPUI

The nationally-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles open the 2007-2008 campaign on Saturday night at home against the IUPUI Jaguars. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30pm CST. IUPUI won its only exhibition tilt, an 84-45 thrashing of Brescia University.

The Jaguars, the pre-season favorite to win the Summit League, are led by the conference pre-season player of the year, junior guard George Hill. That Hill is the pre-season POY is remarkable -- he was redshirted last year after breaking his foot early in the season. The Jags finished the 2006-2007 campaign at 15-15 without Hill.

As a sophomore, Hill averaged 18.9 points per game on 51% shooting. Hill's primary running mate looks to be 6'5" SF Austin Montgomery, a senior who averaged 14ppg last season and shot 40% from beyond the arc. The Jags are coached by Ron Hunter, a former UWM assistant and two-time Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year.

Marquette counters with the nation's deepest backcourt and an exceptionally deep roster. It is year three of the Three Amigos -- and expectations are understandably high in Milwaukee following a 24-10 season a year ago.

Time to ball.

Want to watch the game on the Internet? Click here to find out how thanks to a fan on MUScoop.

Media Notes

• Read the GoMarquette preview here.
• Marquette game notes (.pdf).
• UIPUI game notes (.pdf).
• A few regional TV options are listed here by IWB, including SNY.