The offense was more vibrant, the swing in the score more violent, but much like Marquette's Sunday game with Louisville, the Golden Eagles just did not have enough depth to stay in the game. Marquette, without Dominic James, simply does not enough bodies to survive against the top teams. Especially teams that play physical.Pitt, while not comfortable as the No. 1 team, clearly wants a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers shot over 60% in both halves, and just kept coming at Marquette with more bodies and scoring options.
Pitt had five players score in double figures. Marquette could not defend inside with DeJuan Blair. When they tried to collapse on Blair, Sam Young or Gilbert Brown were able to drive to the basket. Or Pitt could let Levance Fields and Jermaine Dixon take shots from outside.
Marquette stayed with Pitt for most of the first half, and came out hot in the second half because they were extremely hot from outside. They even built a very brief 9 point lead in the second half. They did it thanks to shooting 10-for-17 on three-point shots. The problem was that kind of reliance on the three-ball never lasts. Marquette proceeded to miss their next nine threes.
Part of the reason the Marquette offense went south, was simply tired legs. The Marquette offense is now reliant on Lazar Hayward, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews. The three provided 61 of the team's 75 points. They also played 115 of 120 available minutes. As the second half wore on, you could see them getting slower and the legs having less lift on shots.
This is the problem Marquette faces in the NCAA Tournament. The lack of depth and being forced to play their three best players this much, late in the season. It does not bode well for the Golden Eagles.
Pitt looked extremely comfortable all night. After two road games last week, they clearly were happy to be home. It makes Saturday's game in Pittsburgh against UConn even bigger. Pitt has not lost at home all season. UConn has not lost on the road all season.
