Wave Men To Host Marquette In C-USA Home Opener

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Tulane University men’s basketball team will put its perfect home record on the line on Saturday evening, hosting Marquette University at Fogelman Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are available by calling 504-861-WAVE.

All Tulane men’s basketball games are broadcast by the Tulane ISP Radio Network, which includes WTIX AM 690 in New Orleans and WJSH FM 104.7 on the Northshore.

The Green Wave has an overall record of 6-6 following Wednesday’s loss to Saint Louis in its Conference USA opener. However, Tulane has won all five of its home games this year, defeating its foes by an average of 18.0 points per game.

Saturday’s task will not be easy as Marquette visits Fogelman Arena with a 12-1 record, including a win over No. 22 Wisconsin. The Golden Eagles only loss came at the hands of No. 15 Arizona. Senior guard Travis Diener leads the way with 21.0 points per game, including 43-of-90 from three-point range, while handing out a league-best 6.15 assists per game. Steve Novak, a 6-10 “shooting” forward, has 14.4 points per game, including 39-of-83 three-pointers. Joining that long-range duo is 6-5 slashing guard Dameon Mason, who has 12.6 points per game.

“Marquette has three great scorers on the perimeter,” Tulane coach Shawn Finney said. “We need to do a great job defensively. They run a lot of different sets and try to keep you off-balance. Fundamental defense is the key.”

Tulane will counter Marquette’s outside attack with the inside-outside combination of Marcus Kinzer and Quincy Davis. Kinzer ranks fifth in the league in assists while scoring 11.9 points per game. Davis, meanwhile, leads the team with 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while connecting on 64.8 percent of his shots from the field, which ranks among the top 10 in the nation.

“We have to play with confidence,” Finney said. “We need to play empowered; the guys need to believe they will make shots. You can not shoot successfully by just hoping the shots will fall, you need to have confidence and poise, especially against a tough team like Marquette.”

Three freshmen are expected to join Kinzer and Davis in the starting lineup for the Green Wave for the sixth straight game. Guard Taylor Rochestie is averaging in double figures with 11.0 points per game, while 6-6 forward Donnie Stith and 6-7 forward David Gomez have provided flashes of brilliance.

Following Saturday’s game, the Green Wave will travel to Fort Worth to challenge TCU on Wednesday evening. That game will be televised live nationally by ESPN Classic beginning at 7 p.m. The next home game for the Wave is Saturday, Jan. 15 against DePaul University at the New Orleans Arena. That game tips off at 2 p.m. For ticket information, call 504-861-WAVE.