#MUBB Travels To Providence On New Year's Eve

The No. 8/8 Marquette University men's basketball team (11-2, 2-0 BIG EAST) returns to action on New Year's Eve when the squad travels to Providence (7-6, 1-1 BIG EAST) for a 5 p.m. CT matchup at Amica Mutual Pavilion. FS1 features the national television broadcast, with Emmanuel Berbari (play-by-play) and Vin Parise (analyst) calling the action. Following Tuesday's outing, the Golden Eagles will return to Fiserv Forum to open a two-game homestand against Creighton at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3.

All-Time Series Provides Plenty Of Highlights

The all-time series between Marquette and Providence consists of 39 games (Marquette leads 24-15) and includes a number of memorable contests for MU fans.

The two programs first met in the 1963 National Invitation Tournament and the result was a 70-64 victory by PC. The teams would cross paths in 1966-67 in the same event and a slim 81-80 Marquette overtime win helped the squad to a runner-up finish under head coach Al McGuire.

Since the teams began meeting in BIG EAST Conference action, series highlights include a game delayed at the Bradley Center when a bat continued to interrupt play on the court, a wet court at PC in 2016-17 that caused numerous stoppages in play, a league record-tying 52-point performance by Markus Howard in 2017-18 at Providence and multiple overtime results.

The two team split the season series in 2023-24, with each team winning on its respective home court. In the most recent contest, Kam Jones led four players in double figures with 23 points in a semifinal matchup at the league tournament.

MU Looking For Rare BIG EAST Start

Marquette, which is competing in its 20th BIG EAST campaign in 2024-25, has only started 3-0 in league play on two occasions since joining in 2005-06.

The Golden Eagles opened the 2012-13 league campaign, 4-0, en route to a 14-4 overall record and share of the regular season title and also began play, 9-0, in 2008-09 (finished 12-6).

Marquette hasn't won at Providence since a 76-58 decision on Feb. 23, 2019.

Joplin Dials Up 1,000 Points

Senior forward David Joplin, who mimics making a phone call after a made 3-pointer, made a noteworthy connection in the team's win at Xavier.

The Milwaukee native's first basket of the second half allowed him to become the 54th player in program history with 1,000 career points and he now ranks 52nd overall with 1,013.

Joplin scored 15 of his 19 points following the intermission, finishing 8-of-15 from the floor. He also chipped in five rebounds, three blocked shots and a pair of steals in 36 minutes of action. Two of his blocks came at critical moments down the stretch.

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Players Mentioned

Kam Jones

David Joplin