Player Grades: Marquette at Seton Hall

Vander Blue (19 pts, 3 reb, 2 stl) Vander continued where he left off against Pitt, hitting five of his first seven shots of the half, providing 11 of Marquette’s 27 first half points. He cooled of a bit in the second half, only shooting 3-7 but finished with a game-high 19 points. He’s just on another level at this point, where the game is not only coming to him, it’s moving in slow motion. A-

Junior Cadougan (0 pts, 4 ast, 2 reb) Junior came out a bit slow, missing all three shots in the first half and picking up two fouls to go with no assists in the opening half. Unfortunately, he didn’t fare any better in the second, going scoreless for the first time since Nov. 26, 2012. It’s ok when your point guard doesn’t score as long as he’s facilitating for others. He didn’t do too much of that, and had difficulty beating the press. Buzz even sent his senior a little message, leaving him in with the scrubs at the end. Luckily plenty of others stepped up because this had F written all over it. D

Chris Otule (6 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast) Chris’ putback dunk in the second half provided an emotional spark and started Marquette’s 25-1 surge. Getting 6 points and 4 boards is becoming the norm for Otule, a tremendous accomplishment for the big man. B+

Trent Lockett (9 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) Lockett was everywhere defensively early on, grabbing five boards and blocking two shots in the first half. He only got better in the second. He gobbled up three offensive boards, and had a lot more success putting it in the tin. Don’t look now, but he seems to have a much better grasp of Buzz system now. A

Juan Anderson (3 pts, 1 reb, 9 min) Juan started the game off well with his patented three from the top of the key, but failed to register a point the rest of the game. He was a bit lazy with possessions as well, turning it over twice and only saw nine minutes of action. C

Jamil Wilson (10 pts, 9 reb, 2 blk) Jamil continued his strong inside play, grabbing five first half rebounds. The “foul” on him with .4 seconds left was an atrocious call that can’t be held against him. Wilson finished a rebound shy of a double-double and was on the court for the big run in the second half. Another great game from Wilson, who seems to have turned a corner. A

Davante Gardner (18 pts, 5 reb, 6-7 FT) After a so-so first half where he was held without a field goal, Davante decided it was showtime and brought out the full arsenal. He hit a smooth bank shot and followed that up with a ridiculous spin move in the low blocks. It’s been too long since we saw Ox score at will like he did tonight, a trait that will serve MU well at Nova on Saturday. A+

Steve Taylor (2 pts, 5 reb, 9 min) I had no idea Taylor grabbed five boards until I saw the box score. He’s an amazing rebounder and keeps showing glimpses of that talent bound to come out in the next few years. That baby hook late in the second was delicious as well. A

Derrick Wilson (0 pts, 5 ast, 0 TO) Derrick missed an easy, wide-open lay up late in the first half, a sin when points are so hard to come by, and bricked the front end of a one and one to end the half. Yet, even though he was held scoreless yet again, he protected the ball well (no turnovers) and dished the rock well. Can’t complain at all about a 5-0 assist-to-turnover ratio. B

Todd Mayo (0 pts, 0 reb, 0-1 3pt) 3 minutes. 2 fouls. 2 turnovers. That intentional foul on Edwin put him in Buzz doghouse for good. Gotta shake it off and move on. F

Jamal Ferguson, Jake Thomas and Dylan Flood all get NAs, though it should be noted Flood managed to avoid the dreaded trillion with a block credited to him.