GAME NOTES: Big East Conference teams rarely play on Friday, so the 22nd-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers and Marquette Golden Eagles will have the spotlight this evening. Pittsburgh has won its last two games to move to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in league play. The Panthers were dominant in Tuesday's 82-63 decision over Providence, and they beat West Virginia in dramatic fashion in their previous outing. Pitt has played eight true road games this season, earning four wins in those tilts. As for Marquette, its 17-6 overall record is certainly much more impressive than its 7-5 mark against Big East foes. The Golden Eagles carried a two-game losing streak into Tuesday's meeting with Seton Hall, but the result of that clash was a much-needed 89-64 win. The club is 12-1 at home this season and figures to play with a wealth of confidence this evening. Marquette holds a 5-4 edge in the all-time series with Pittsburgh despite the fact that the Panthers won the most recent meeting by a 89-79 last season.

Sam Young was sensational for Pittsburgh in the win over Providence on Tuesday, as he scored 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field. DeJuan Blair and Ronald Ramon both tallied 15 points, and Keith Benjamin pitched in with 10. The Panthers connected on 58.6 percent of their field goal attempts in the contest and finished with 22 assists against eight turnovers. They earned a 31-24 rebounding advantage in the clash and a 9-4 edge in points from the foul line. Young is scoring 17.9 ppg this season on 50.3 percent shooting from the floor, and he is pulling down 6.8 rpg as well. Blair has been a strong presence on the low block, and he is contributing 11.8 ppg and 9.6 rpg to go along with his 48 blocked shots. Solid defense has been key to the Panthers' success, as they are limiting the opposition to 62.3 ppg this season.

Marquette is led by four double-digit scorers, and the team is generating 77.0 ppg while limiting the opposition to 64.6 ppg on 40.7 percent shooting from the floor. Lazar Hayward is tops on the roster with 14.0 ppg, and he is shooting 51.1 percent from the floor, including 51 percent from three-point range. Hayward, who leads the team with 6.5 rpg as well, is an outstanding foul shooter. Dominic James is contributing 13.3 ppg, and he has more than twice as many assists (94) as turnovers (45). Jerel McNeal adds 12.9 ppg to the mix, and Wesley Matthews posts 11.0 ppg. Hayward racked up 23 points and nine rebounds to lead the way over Seton Hall on Tuesday. McNeal and Matthews added 14 points apiece, and David Cubillan posted 10 points off the bench. A 43-29 rebounding advantage played an obvious role in the win. Strong defense was also key, as Marquette forced 17 turnovers and limited Seton Hall to 38 percent shooting from the field.

The home crowd will provide a boost for the Golden Eagles in what should be a close game from start to finish.