Sunday, February 7
Milwaukee, Wis.
11:00 A.M. CT
DePaul University
at
Marquette
Fierce Rivalry Set for Super Bowl Sunday in Milwaukee
2/6/2021 11:45:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
No. 20/21 DePaul and Marquette clash at 11 a.m. on FS1
MILWAUKEE – Every time these two longtime, history-steeped rivals occupy the same 94 feet on a basketball court, sparks are going to fly.
Get ready for a fiery rematch as No. 20/21 DePaul and Marquette collide Sunday at the Al McGuire Center in front of a national TV audience on FS1.
Throw out the records and stats in this 75th renewal as both women's basketball programs laser-focus and live in the moment right from the 11 a.m. tipoff.
The heated and colorful rivalry between these two universities reached its heyday when legendary men's basketball coaches Ray Meyer at DePaul and McGuire matched wits and innovative game strategies.
One of the most unforgettable episodes occurred in February of 1968 when the Blue Demons' best player Bob Zoretich and opposing center Pat Smith collided going after a rebound. The ensuing scuffle ignited a bench-clearing brawl and both centers were ejected.
The 58-53 loss on his home court had an irate Meyer pointing out postgame that his best player was banished as opposed to the pedestrian Smith.
"Smith couldn't throw a ball in the lake if he was standing on the beach," Meyer complained to a Milwaukee Journal sportswriter.
Two days later, McGuire responded with a photo op. He invited a Journal photographer to the beach and instructed Smith to toss a beach ball into Lake Michigan. The photo ran in newspapers nationwide.
There won't be any such escapades when Blue Demon coach Doug Bruno and his counterpart Megan Duffy work the sideline on Super Bowl Sunday.
But rest assured players on both sides are fully cognizant of what lies ahead. Most were around to make history when the two uber-rivals met for the BIG EAST tournament title four years in a row. If you're keeping count, the ladies from Lincoln Park dumped confetti on one another in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
But like we said, none of that matters now. This latest showdown will feature the four and five-guard attack of DePaul (9-4, 6-2 BIG EAST) against the bigger, physical lineup Marquette (12-3, 9-2) will deploy.
Each team has its potential game-breaking performer in the Blue Demons' Sonya Morris (18.3 points a game) and the Golden Eagles' Selena Lott at 16 points.
Bruno & Co. can count on four other double-figure scorers including Lexi Held (15.5 points a game), Dee Bekelja (13.6), Deja Church (12.4) and Darrione Rogers (11). The 6-foot, 1-inch Jorie Allen provides presence in the paint and is averaging 9.3 points.
Marquette counters with Lott, 6-2 Lauren Van Kleunen (12.3 points a game), 6-2 Camryn Taylor (11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds) and 6-1 Chloe Marotta with talented point guard Jordan King running the show.
What could tip the balance in DePaul's favor is a full-court press that is No. 5 in the country at forcing turnovers (23.3 per game). Bruno's "5G" alignment is conducive to scrambling an opponent's offensive flow as the five Blue Demon guards capitalize on their speed and quickness. The Golden Eagles come in averaging nearly 16 turnovers a game.
Get ready for a fiery rematch as No. 20/21 DePaul and Marquette collide Sunday at the Al McGuire Center in front of a national TV audience on FS1.
Throw out the records and stats in this 75th renewal as both women's basketball programs laser-focus and live in the moment right from the 11 a.m. tipoff.
The heated and colorful rivalry between these two universities reached its heyday when legendary men's basketball coaches Ray Meyer at DePaul and McGuire matched wits and innovative game strategies.
One of the most unforgettable episodes occurred in February of 1968 when the Blue Demons' best player Bob Zoretich and opposing center Pat Smith collided going after a rebound. The ensuing scuffle ignited a bench-clearing brawl and both centers were ejected.
The 58-53 loss on his home court had an irate Meyer pointing out postgame that his best player was banished as opposed to the pedestrian Smith.
"Smith couldn't throw a ball in the lake if he was standing on the beach," Meyer complained to a Milwaukee Journal sportswriter.
Two days later, McGuire responded with a photo op. He invited a Journal photographer to the beach and instructed Smith to toss a beach ball into Lake Michigan. The photo ran in newspapers nationwide.
There won't be any such escapades when Blue Demon coach Doug Bruno and his counterpart Megan Duffy work the sideline on Super Bowl Sunday.
But rest assured players on both sides are fully cognizant of what lies ahead. Most were around to make history when the two uber-rivals met for the BIG EAST tournament title four years in a row. If you're keeping count, the ladies from Lincoln Park dumped confetti on one another in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
But like we said, none of that matters now. This latest showdown will feature the four and five-guard attack of DePaul (9-4, 6-2 BIG EAST) against the bigger, physical lineup Marquette (12-3, 9-2) will deploy.
Each team has its potential game-breaking performer in the Blue Demons' Sonya Morris (18.3 points a game) and the Golden Eagles' Selena Lott at 16 points.
Bruno & Co. can count on four other double-figure scorers including Lexi Held (15.5 points a game), Dee Bekelja (13.6), Deja Church (12.4) and Darrione Rogers (11). The 6-foot, 1-inch Jorie Allen provides presence in the paint and is averaging 9.3 points.
Marquette counters with Lott, 6-2 Lauren Van Kleunen (12.3 points a game), 6-2 Camryn Taylor (11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds) and 6-1 Chloe Marotta with talented point guard Jordan King running the show.
What could tip the balance in DePaul's favor is a full-court press that is No. 5 in the country at forcing turnovers (23.3 per game). Bruno's "5G" alignment is conducive to scrambling an opponent's offensive flow as the five Blue Demon guards capitalize on their speed and quickness. The Golden Eagles come in averaging nearly 16 turnovers a game.
Players Mentioned
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