Tyler Kolek was on a mission from the opening tipoff on the road for the Marquette Golden Eagles against the Villanova Wildcats. He dropped a career-high 32 points for Marquette on the road against Villanova and the Golden Eagles won the game over the Wildcats by a final score of 85-80.
The Marquette Golden Eagles stormed out of the gates and they led by as many as 20 points, until the Villanova Wildcats made it a game in the second half. Marquette has won five consecutive games and Villanova has lost five consecutive games.
With the win, the Golden Eagles are now 16-5 on the season and 7-3 in Big East Conference play. They have the same overall record and conference record as the Creighton Blue Jays. Kolek also grabbed six rebounds and recorded nine assists. He was one assist away from recording a double-double in this game.
Kolek spoke to Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the game was over. He told him about the way Villanova fans were treating him by saying:
“We come on the road and they’re yelling I can’t read. They’re yelling ‘Where were you January 6.’ All this shit. I love that stuff.”
Head coach Shaka Smart had three other players score in double figures in this matchup. Oso Ighadaro scored 15 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Stevie Mitchell scored 12 points for the Marquette Golden Eagles and Chase Ross also added 11 points for Marquette.
Tyler Kolek and the Marquette Golden Eagles Sweep the Season Series From the Villanova Wildcats
Kolek and the Golden Eagles swept the season series this season from the Villanova Wildcats. With the loss, Villanova dropped to 11-10 overall and 4-6 in Big East Conference play. They are now in ninth place in the Big East Conference and that is such a blow to them.
The Wildcats had three players score in double figures. Eric Dixon and TJ Bamba each scored 24 points. Dixon also grabbed six rebounds in this one. Mark Armstrong also scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and recorded three assists.
The Villanova Wildcats are going to have to go on a hot streak in order to be considered for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. As for the Golden Eagles, they are in a very good spot right now.
