(4) Marquette Outlasts (23) Illinois

(4) Marquette improved to 3-0 Tuesday night in a win visiting (23) Illinois for what could be the last Gavitt Tipoff Games.

Defending Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek’s availability was in doubt before the game after injuring his ankle in a win over Rider on Nov. 10.

Kolek’s played and made a statement with a dominant performance that showed he was the best player on the court. He carried the Marquette offense scoring a game-high 24 points on 10-18 shooting, adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

While Kolek was a wizard offensively, the Fighting Illini offense left much to be desired. Shaka Smart’s stingy Marquette defense swarmed Illinois, limiting them to only 35% shooting from the field.

Aside hot starts to open both halves, Marquette’s defense suffocated Illinois forcing 15 turnovers. At times, Illinois’ size presented a problem for the smaller Golden Eagles lineup, but Marquette put on a defensive showcase utilizing their aggressive team speed and sticky coverage.

Despite Marquette’s stout defensive performance that is religiously committed to deflections, Illinois hung around.

Illinois looked sharp opening the game on a 5-0 run, but Marquette closed the gap taking a lead at 9-7 that they wouldn’t give back until the second half.

A three by Luke Goode to beat the buzzer was only the beginning of the second half offensive burst from Illinois. For roughly the first five minutes of the second half, Illinois reclaimed the lead by shooting 6-9 compared to Marquette’s 2-10.

After Terrence Shannon Jr hit a three to make it 50-47, Illinois had raised their shooting percentage from the end of the first half at 34.4 to 41.9. Marquette had taken their opponent’s biggest punch and it was their turn to swing back.

Kolek contributed on Marquette’s next seven points to retake a lead they would never give back. Kolek tied the game at 50 with a three of his own, dished a dime to Oso Ighodaro in the paint, and made a layup giving Marquette a 54-52 lead.

The next basket in the game came on Sean Jones’ first three of the year assisted by Ighodaro in what felt like the moment Marquette won. For the remaining 8:27, Illinois clawed and scratched their way into the game but made too many losing mistakes down the stretch.

Turnovers. A four minute scoring drought. Goaltending on a shot that had no prayer of going in the basket. An ill-timed offensive foul. Passing on a free layup down six with two minutes to go. All of which were too much for Illinois to overcome.

Marquette did the opposite, outscoring Illinois 18-9 from the 11th minute to second minute. Marquette stopped the Illinois offense enough and hit enough free throws down the stretch to win, quieting the significance of a poor 60% free throw percentage.

Kolek's stellar scoring and a tough defensive performance led the way for a Marquette win that could have been a blowout if not for the struggles from deep. Marquette’s shot an awful 29.4% from three and the Fighting Illini kept themselves in the game primarily by making more than double the threes of the Golden Eagles.

Marquette’s win over a ranked opponent despite having a lackluster game offensively is an impressive indication for a team that wants to repeat as Big East champs and win a national title. Kolek showed he is someone that can will his team to victory any given night. He covered up some bad performances from his teammates, like David Joplin who was 1-6 for 5 points on an off night.

It is apparent early on this season that Smart's program culture is built to last. He retained buy-in from unselfish star players who clearly worked hard in the offseason to return with more polished skillsets. It’s early, but Smart should be commended on creating a uniquely unselfish culture in arguably the most selfish era of collegiate sports to date. This Marquette team is special and is built by special people.

Smart’s Golden Eagles won’t play again until Nov. 20, when they travel to Hawaii to take on UCLA in the first round of the Allstate Maui Invitational.

P.S. To anyone doubting Kolek’s toughness or if he’d suit up against the Fighting Illini: “Fuck ‘em.”