Marquette has long wait to join the Madness

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Since the moment Sunday evening when the Marquette men's basketball team learned of its inclusion in the NCAA Tournament, the Golden Eagles have been itching to take the court at Bon Secours Wellness Arena against South Carolina.

Waiting is the hardest part for any team getting ready to participate in March Madness. That challenge is an especially high hurdle for Marquette and South Carolina, which aren't scheduled to tip off until approximately 8:50 p.m. Friday, which is just shy of 10 p.m. local time.

"That's going to be a weird game," Marquette redshirt junior guard Andrew Rowsey said. "We're just glad to be here. Whatever time we got we were going to be happy with. It's just about going out there and playing and trying to win."

"I hope I don’t nod off on the bench," South Carolina coach Frank Martin added.

Playing in the second-to-last game of the opening round of the tournament provides an unusual situation for both teams. It's a later tip-off than they're used to and it means waiting through two days of hype, drama and excitement before they even get on the court.

CHAT: Matt Velazquez Q&A at 10 a.m. Friday

NOTES: Wojciechowski, Martin share professional relationship, friendship

AT A GLANCE: Marquette vs. South Carolina

Many fans will be well past the point of basketball fatigue by the time the Golden Eagles and Gamecocks get going, but as players and coaches, they'll all need to be ready to perform at the highest level.

Some might argue that the long layoff might make it harder for Friday night's participants to feel like they're part of the NCAA Tournament. That's not unreasonable considering for a large chunk of time they have been relegated to watching on television just like everyone else.

Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski doesn't see things that way.

"I think in some respects it's an advantage to be able — although we've been very busy today with our preparation, whether we're at meals, whatever — you get to see the games going on," Wojciechowski said. "You really start to feel a part of the tournament."

As has always been the case when Marquette has been in strange situations — be it a blizzard in New York City a year ago or a 9:30 p.m. local time tip-off against Michigan in the 2K Class in November — Wojciechowski has tried to keep the routine the same. That means abiding by the same shootaround schedule, meetings and team meals.

There's no need to do anything different or add emphasis or pressure to Friday's preparations. The Golden Eagles have had all week to prepare and by and large their game-day process has served them well.

"For our team, we have to shoot our bullets, and we need to go into the game not holding anything back," Wojciechowski said. "People who have asked you seven months ago if you thought your team would have been in this position, most 'experts' would have said no. So our guys have played at their best when they've been loose and free and determined, and that's how we want to go into the game tomorrow night."

Marquette's game against Michigan provided some late-night experience, though considering it was an 18-point loss it's not a game anyone is looking back at with fondness. The Golden Eagles did, however, have another late game in the Eastern time zone earlier this month, a 95-84 victory at Xavier that didn't begin until after 9 p.m. local time.

"We actually were fortunate enough during the season, we played Xavier at Xavier and we had a little experience with playing a little later, so I think that experience will help us," freshman Markus Howard said.

BRACKETS: Bracket Challenge | Printable bracket (with times/TV)

SCOREBOARD: Live NCAA Tournament scores, box scores

MORE COVERAGE: NCAA Tournament section

Part of Marquette's game-day routine also includes downtime for the players. With such a late game, there will be a lot more of that. How they spend that time will be up to them, though many have similar plans — hanging out in the team hotel, staying off their feet, napping and watching the NCAA Tournament.

"Always have to take a pregame nap," senior center Luke Fischer said. "I think from now on it'll (also) be (watching) tournament games. There's so many on you can just watch it all the time. It's always exciting to watch other teams play."

Rowsey noted he'd definitely get a nap in, too, but it'll be with the NCAA Tournament games playing in the background. He's spent too long watching games in March to totally tune them out now.

"I've had the games on all day (Thursday)," he said. "I've watched March Madness since I was 2-foot tall. It's been fun watching the other games, but it's even better being able to play in it this year."