Sept. 19, 2014
THE FLATS – Each week up until the beginning of basketball season, Ramblinwreck.com takes a look at an opponent on Georgia Tech’s non-conference schedule. This week, Tech’s first-round opponent in the Orlando Classic on Nov. 27, Marquette.
Date: November 27, 2014
Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
Conference: Big East
Home arena: Bradley Center (18,600)
2013-14 Record: 17-15 overall, 9-9 in Big East (6th place), 94th in NCAA RPI
Post-Season: Big East Quarterfinals, lost to Xavier 68-65
NCAA Championship Appearances: 31 (last in 2013)
All-time series record: Tied, 3-3 (first meeting 1/26/1913)
Head coach: Steve Wojciechowski (entering 1st season)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Top scorer returning: Deonte Burton (6.9)
Top rebounder returning: Derrick Wilson (3.8)
Quick preview for 2014-15
Marquette men’s basketball begins a new era in 2014-15 as head coach Steve Wojciechowski takes the helm. Wojciechowski was a star guard under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke in the mid-1990’s and spent the last fifteen years on Krzyzewski’s coaching staff (including six as associate head coach). The first year head coach inherits a depleted roster following the departure of five significant contributors (four seniors and Todd Mayo who will begin his professional career abroad). Of the returnees, Derrick Wilson and Deonte Burton figure to be the top contributors. Wilson, an Alaska native, led the Golden Eagles in both minutes (30.8), assists (4.2) and steals (1.3) a year ago and returns as just one of two seniors. Meanwhile Deonte Burton is fresh off a promising freshman campaign in which he averaged 6.9 points per game in just 12.6 minutes. His scoring average is the highest among returning players, but Burton’s assist to turnover ratio (0.61) presents room for improvement in his sophomore season.
Quick recap of 2013-14
For the first time in eight years, Marquette did not compete in the NCAA Tournament in 2013-14. The Golden Eagles stumbled down the stretch losing their last four games essentially forfeiting their hopes for an at-large bid. Marquette played a number of close games last season including six overtime contests but won just two. Davonte Gardner, Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo led the team offensively with each averaging over 11.0 points per game, but none of the trio return. Less than two weeks after losing in Big East Tournament, head coach Buzz Williams accepted Virginia Tech’s offer to lead the Hokies in 2014-15, concluding his six year tenure as Marquette’s head man.
Greatest program accomplishment
1977 National Championship – For all of the great moments in Marquette’s rich basketball history, the 1977 National Championship stands heads and shoulders above any other. The Eagles notched a 20-7 regular season record which included a 63-45 win over Georgia Tech on Jan. 3 (this year’s meeting in Orlando will be the first time the two programs have seen each other since). After dropping the regular season finale to third-ranked Michigan, the Warriors (the nickname of Marquette’s athletic teams at the time) rattled off a three-game win streak in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four. The Omni in Atlanta played host to the Final Four in 1977 and saw the Golden Eagles cap their improbable run with a win over North Carolina. The win not only crowned Marquette as national champions for the first time in program history, but it sent 13-year veteran head coach Al McGuire out on top after he had announced his retirement three months earlier.
Greatest player in program history
Maurice H. “Bo” Ellis – Maurice “Bo” Ellis wore the Blue and Gold from 1973 to 1977 and in that span he won 101 games – a school record for an individual player. Ellis also ranks in tenth in points scored (1,663) and second in rebounds (1,085) among all-time Golden Eagles. Ellis is also the only Golden Eagle to play in two Final Fours – as a freshman in 1974 and in the 1977 championship season as a senior. While Ellis’ most impressive accomplishment is the 1977 national title, his most inherently unique legacy is that he designed one of three uniforms used in the 1976-77 Marquette basketball season in a fashion class taught at Mount Mary University – a women’s college.
Place to visit on campus or in the city
The Harley-Davidson Museum – Established in 2008 the Harley-Davidson Museum showcases over 450 different motorcycles and artifacts. In addition to the extensive exhibits, the museum hosts the Midwest’s Largest Free Motorcycle Rally, the Milwaukee Rally. The annual festival occurs on Labor Day weekend and draws thousands of riders from across the Midwest.
About Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team is beginning its fourth year under head coach Brian Gregory. The Yellow Jackets have been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, won three ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993), played in the NCAA Tournament 16 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBK).
For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com. Tickets for men’s basketball can be purchased here.
