After pulling the small upset Saturday against Western Illinois, Chicago State has its eyes on a major upset Monday against Marquette. The Cougars are massive underdogs.
What you should know about Marquette (8-2, No. 80 KenPom):
Marquette is making an early case for a NCAA Tournament bid. The Golden Eagles have victories over Arizona State, Wisconsin and LSU and enter Monday’s matchup on a seven-game winning streak.
Marquette has one of college basketball’s most efficient defenses. Opponents do not shoot well from the field, and the Golden Eagles do not put them on the foul line often either.
Offensively, Marquette does its best work inside through big men Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer. Ellenson, a potential 2016 NBA Draft lottery pick, is averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds. Fischer, a 6-foot-11 junior, averages 14.3 points on 66.3 percent shooting along with 7.8 rebounds per game.
Chicago State’s frontcourt of Trayvon Palmer, Quron Davis and Jordan Madrid-Andrews have quite a challenge awaiting them in Milwaukee.
What you should know about Chicago State (4-9, No. 334 KenPom):
Photo: Mike Granse-USA Today Sports
Chicago State has not won consecutive non-conference games against Division I opponents since December 2009. The Cougars have not won a road non-conference game since Dec. 31, 2012.
Those streaks almost definitely will not end Monday at Marquette. Chicago State will be severely outmatched in terms of size and athleticism.
The Cougars rely on 3-pointers for 36.3 percent of their points. Finding away to get hot against the Golden Eagles’ perimeter defense is their best hope at keeping this game close.
How to watch, listen, stream and bet:
Start time: 6 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports 1
App/Online: Fox Sports Go
Radio: 540 ESPN
Line: N/A
Sagarin: Marquette -24.5
KenPom: Marquette 80, Western Illinois 60 (96%)
