No. 10/11 #MUBB Hosts Western Carolina Saturday

The No. 10/11 Marquette University men's basketball team (7-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) wrap up a two-game homestand on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. CT when the squad hosts Western Carolina (2-3, 0-0 SoCon) at Fiserv Forum. FS2 features the national television broadcast, with Lane Grindle (play-by-play) and former Marquette guard Wesley Matthews (analyst) calling the action. Following Saturday's outing, the Golden Eagles travel to No. 5/5 Iowa State on Wednesday, Dec. 4 for the Big 12-BIG EAST Battle.

Marquette Meeting Catamounts For Sixth Time

Saturday's outing will mark the sixth meeting between the two programs, with the most recent coming during the 2016-17 campaign.

The Golden Eagles are 5-0 against the Catamounts, most recently earning a 90-44 victory on Nov. 30, 2016 at the Bradley Center.

The two teams first met during the 1974-75 campaign in Milwaukee and Marquette earned a 63-53 win. Bo Ellis and Earl Tatum each had 17 points to lead the way offensively and Jerry Homan added 18 rebounds in the victory.

Marquette Supporting Nike's N7 Initiative

Since 2010, N7 has partnered with select collegiate basketball programs to create turquoise jerseys and shorts. More than a color, Turquoise holds symbolic prestige and power in many Native American communities. Marquette has participated on an annual basis during November's Native American Heritage Month.

On Saturday vs. Western Carolina, the team will wear special warmup shirts designed by Marquette alumna Danielle Barrett and proceeds from sales will benefit the university's Native American Student Association.

Nike is committed to getting youth in Native American and Aboriginal communities moving so they can lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. Through Nike's N7 Fund, it supports organizations that provide sport and physical activity programming to youth in these communities.

Since its creation, the Nike N7 Fund has awarded more than $12.1 million in grants, administered by the Charities Aid Foundation of America, to more than 300 communities and organizations.

Marquette Off To Best Start Since 2011-12

The Golden Eagles, who have claimed each of their first seven outings, are off to the team's best start since the 2011-12 campaign.

Marquette opened that season 10-0, not falling until a 67-59 decision at LSU on Dec. 19, 2011. The Golden Eagles finished 27-8 overall and 14-4 in BIG EAST action, advancing to the Sweet 16 before losing to Florida in Phoenix, Arizona.

Through games of Nov. 28, Marquette is one of 23 unbeaten teams remaining in th country.

Joplin Dialed In Last Two Outings

Senior forward David Joplin, who struggled with his shooting touch in the first five games of the season, has been dialed in the last two outings against Georgia and Stonehill.

Highlighted by a career-high 29 points against the Bulldogs in the Bahamas, Joplin averaged 28.0 points per contest in the last two outings while combining to shoot 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the floor overall and 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from behind the 3-point line. He scored 20-or-more points in back-to-back games for the third time in his career and also averaged 6.0 boards per game.

Entering the matchup with Georgia, Joplin was shooting 32.2 percent from the floor overall and 20.5 percent from long distance.

Owens Triples Up In Breakout Game

Freshman Damarius Owens, who was slowed in the preseason with a pair of injuries (groin, toe), has begun to work his way into the rotation and as a result collected a personal-best game in the win over Stonehill.

Owens missed the first three games of the year and entering Wednesday's game had scored a total of just five points in three outings. In 20 minutes of action against the Skyhawks, he finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and also chipped in four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

Owens' night was highlighted by three-straight baskets from behind the 3-point line in a span of just over a minute midway through the first half.

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Players Mentioned

David Joplin

Damarius Owens