Marquette at Xavier: Three things to watch

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Marquette's Markus Howard tries to make a layup against Xavier's J.P. Macura in December.

CINCINNATI - Marquette returns to action on Wednesday after a nine-day break.

The Golden Eagles (13-6, 4-3 Big East) better be rested and ready because they are facing the toughest week of their season.

MU first plays eighth-ranked Xavier (18-3, 6-2) at the Cintas Center. Then comes a meeting with No. 1 Villanova at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday.

Wednesday's game against the Musketeers will be televised on FS1 with Vince Welch and Nick Bahe and can be heard on AM-540 with Jim McIlvaine and Steve "The Homer" True.

Here are three things to watch:

1. The painted area

In interviews this week, MU coach Steve Wojciechowski and several Golden Eagles players mentioned keeping Xavier players from doing damage in the paint. So it's a clear point of emphasis. In Xavier's 91-87 victory in December, the Musketeers found success driving the ball, scoring 44 points in the paint and earning 24 free throws (making 22). Xavier star Trevon Bluiett was 10 of 11 from the charity stripe.

2. Welcome back

Last season, the Golden Eagles ruined Xavier's senior night by dropping 95 points at the Cintas Center. For MU to reach those kind of heights this season, it will likely need a big night from guard Markus Howard. The sophomore struggled in the first matchup, shooting 6 of 19, including 1 of 8 on three-pointers. Howard battled through an illness in MU's win over DePaul, but a week's rest should benefit him.

3. The lightning rod

Bluiett is Xavier's best player but senior wing J.P. Macura is the team's heart and soul. He might have played the best game of his collegiate career in the Musketeers' victory over Seton Hall, tallying 27 points and throwing down a put-back dunk that left even Bill Murray speechless.

Macura had 15 points in the first matchup but his key play was a late chase-down block of a layup attempt by Howard.