GAME NOTES: The Marquette Golden Eagles welcome the Louisville Cardinals to town for what should be an entertaining Big East Conference clash. Louisville has won three of its last four games to improve to 16-6 overall and 6-3 in conference action. The Cardinals were last on the hardwood on Saturday when they posted an 87-50 decision over Rutgers. Of the three conference losses that the team has suffered to date, two came by a total of three points. As for Marquette, it has won its last three outings to move to 16-4 overall and 6-3 in league play. Considering that the Golden Eagles are 12-0 at home, they figure to come into tonight's clash with supreme confidence. They were actually on the road Saturday but still had no trouble cruising to a 75-60 decision over Cincinnati. Louisville owns a 35-24 series lead over Marquette, including a 71-51 romp over the Golden Eagles on January 17th.

It is hard to find a more balanced team than Louisville, as it boasts five double-digit scorers. Terrence Williams leads the group with 11.3 ppg, and the versatile performer also adds 8.0 rpg, 4.8 apg, 38 steals and 17 blocks. Jerry Smith is contributing 11.2 ppg, and Earl Clark checks in with 10.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 37 blocks. David Padgett is scoring 10.3 ppg, and Derrick Caracter rounds out the group with 10.2 ppg. Strong defense has been key to Louisville's success, as it is limiting the opposition to 60.1 ppg on 37.6 percent shooting from the field. In the 37-point romp over Rutgers on Saturday, the Cardinals forced 24 turnovers and limited the Scarlet Knights to 32.7 percent shooting from the field. Five players netted at least 10 points for UofL, and both Clark and Williams pulled down 10 boards.

Much like its counterpart tonight, Marquette relies heavily on strong defense and a balanced offensive attack to win games. Four players are averaging double figures in the scoring column, with Lazar Hayward leading the way with his 13.7 ppg on 52.8 percent shooting from the floor. Hayward is also tops with 6.3 rpg and is an 82.9 percent shooter from the foul line. Dominic James checks in with 13.3 ppg, and he has dished out 82 assists against 39 turnovers. Jerel McNeal adds 13.1 ppg and 43 steals, while Wesley Matthews is contributing 11.1 ppg. Marquette is holding foes to 63.2 ppg on 40.3 percent shooting from the field. Hayward scored 19 points on Saturday against Cincinnati, and McNeal finished with 13 points and seven assists. Matthews posted 11 points, but it was Ousmane Barro who came through with the most surprising effort. In a reserve role, Barro connected on 9-of-10 field goal attempts and finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Eagles limited the Bearcats to 31.7 percent shooting from the field.

Give a narrow edge to Marquette this evening based solely on the homecourt advantage. Expect this one to be decided in the final minute.