MU’s opponent: The book on Southern

Milwaukee native Calvin Godfrey will likely get the start tonight for Southern. (Photo via scout.com)

Marquette’s season finally tips off tonight as the Golden Eagles host Southern. The Jaguars were picked to finish second in the Southwest Athletic Conference this year behind Texas Southern.

Southern won the SWAC last year and gave No. 1 seed Gonzaga a scare before eventually falling 64-58 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jaguars finished 23-10 last year.

Coach Roman Banks will miss Javan Mitchell, who is awaiting medical clearance after being diagnosed with an enlarged heart and will likely miss tonight’s game. Mitchell was named to the Preseason Second Team All-SWAC after averaging 9.4 points per game and starting all 33 games last year.

A stat that would make Buzz Williams proud: The Jaguars have six transfers, including three junior college players.

Southern’s probable lineup (all stats from last season)

#0 Christopher Hyder 5-11 G Soph. (1.9 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game)

Quick look: Hyder appeared in all 33 games last year, but started just eight. He attempted just 15 3-pointers, but nailed seven.

#10 Cameron Monroe 6-2 G Jr. (2.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)

Quick look: Monroe started all but one game last year but averaged just over 16 minutes per game. He also shot just 35.2 percent from the field last season.

#33 Malcolm Miller 6-6 G Sr. (15.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.8 apg)

Quick look: The only projected starting senior on the roster, Miller was second on the team in scoring last year and was named the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year.

#20 Calvin Godfrey 6-9 F Jr. (12.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.9 apg at Howard College)

Quick look: The Milwaukee native attended the same junior college as Jae Crowder after spending the 2010-’11 season at Iowa State.

#22 Frank Snow 6-10 F Jr. (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.9 apg at Pearl River CC)

Quick look: Snow will have his hands full with Chris Otule and Davante Gardner tonight. The Jaguars will sorely miss not having Mitchell in their lineup.

Quick hits

• Marquette is 13-0 all-time against SWAC opponents but has never faced Southern.
• Marquette has won its last 12 season openers and has claimed 13 of its last 14 overall.
• The Golden Eagles’ 25-game home winning streak ranks No. 2 in the country, behind South Dakota State (30). The Jackrabbits’ home opener is Nov. 14, so Marquette has a chance to make up two games on SDSU.

Next up:

Marquette will host Grambling State on Tuesday evening while Southern will travel to Middle Tennessee on Sunday.