No. 7/7 #MUBB Hosts St. John's On National Marquette Day

The No. 7/7 Marquette University men's basketball team (17-5, 8-3 BIG EAST) returns to Fiserv Forum at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 10 to face St. John's (14-9, 6-6 BIG EAST) on National Marquette Day and Al's Day. FS1 features the television coverage, with Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst) calling the action. The Golden Eagles, who are in a stretch of 6-of-8 on the road, will play at home on Saturday for just the second time in almost a month.

Al McGuire Ties Marquette And St. John's

The all-time series (Marquette leads 28-16) began in 1959-60 and prior to the clinching of the BIG EAST title on the last day of the regular season in 2012-13, the series' top highlight was a 65-53 Marquette victory in the championship game of the 1970 NIT.

MU claimed the NIT title under the direction of legendary head coach Al McGuire, who played for three seasons at St. John's (1948-51). In his first season with the Redmen, he finished third in scoring with an 8.1 points per game average.

McGuire's coaching career at Marquette included the 1977 national title, nine NCAA tournament appearances and a 295-80 overall record. The program and university celebrate "Al's Day" each season when St. John's plays in Milwaukee.

Marquette has claimed each of the last five meetings, including a 73-72 win at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 20. All five starters finished with double figures, led by forward Oso Ighodaro's 17 points.

National Marquette Day Celebrated Saturday

National Marquette Day is a tradition dating back to the 1960s that brings the Marquette nation united together in pride and spirit to honor the values of the University.

On Saturday afternoon, alumni will gather in Milwaukee and around the world at more than 50 locations representing multiple states from Alaska and Hawaii to New York to celebrate Marquette and cheer on the men's basketball team. Events are also scheduled in Paris and Puerto Rico.

In its present form, National Marquette Day has been around since 1992. The celebration was preceded by Spirit Day, which dates back to the 1960s.