GAME NOTES: A pair of Top-25 teams meet in Big East action in South Bend, as the 22nd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish play host to the 16th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles. The Irish have won four straight games and are sitting at 7-2 in league play following a 95-69 rout of Seton Hall on Wednesday. The Golden Eagles are 6-4 in league play, but come in off a 71-57 setback against Louisville on Monday. The loss brought an end to a three-game win streak for Marquette. The Golden Eagles are looking for the regular season sweep of the Irish, after posting a 92-66 romp over ND in Milwaukee back on January 12th. It marked the worst defeat in head coach Mike Brey's tenure in South Bend. However, earning that sweep won't come easy as Notre Dame still holds a 76-33 edge in the all-time series and boasts an impressive 33-game homecourt winning streak entering this contest.

The Golden Eagles struggled to find their shot against Louisville this week, as the team converted just 32 percent from the floor in the loss. Marquette fell behind early and could never get back in the game, as the team's 14-game homecourt winning streak was brought to a close. Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal were the only players to net double digits, finishing with 15 and 11 points, respectively. The Golden Eagles haven't struggled often this season at the offensive end. Marquette is averaging a solid 76.1 ppg thus far, getting it done on .454 shooting. Lazar Hayward leads four Golden Eagles in double figures with 13.2 ppg. He is also tops on the team in rebounding (6.2 rpg) and is delivering on over 51 percent of his shots. McNeal and Dominic James are tied for second in scoring at 13.0 ppg each. Matthews rounds out the top scoring threats with 11.2 ppg.

It was Luke Harangody's fourth straight double-double that led the Irish to an easy win in Newark this week, as the talented 6-8 forward finished with team- highs of 22 points and 13 rebounds. Kyle McAlarney provided a perfect complement with his perimeter assault, hitting five three-pointers, en route to a 19-point effort. Rob Kurz added his own double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, as Notre Dame outrebounded Seton Hall, 49-31. One of the best frontcourt players in the entire country, Harangody is getting it done at both ends of the floor. He currently leads the Big East in scoring (20.4 ppg) and ranks second in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and has 12 double-doubles on the year. He gets plenty of help down low from the 6-9 Kurz, who adds 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. McAlarney has provided perfect perimeter balance, pouring in 15.3 ppg. The team's strength lies in its unselfish play, with Notre Dame ranking third nationally in assists with 19.1 per game.

The Golden Eagles beat the Irish bad a few weeks ago and don't think Notre Dame has forgotten. The Irish are now in the friendly confines of the Joyce Center and a little pay back may be in store for Marquette this weekend.