Syracuse vs. Marquette preview: Golden Eagles look to stay unbeaten in Milwaukee

Though each team still managed to land in the top 25 this week, both the 12th-ranked Syracuse Orange and 22nd-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles could badly use a victory on Monday night as the two teams tip off. Each coming off tough losses, dropping a second in a row would be costly for either team's chances of winning the Big East regular season title.

Both currently holding identical 10-4 win-loss records in Big East conference play, Syracuse and Marquette are one game out of first place in the standings. The Orange had a chance to take the outright lead in the conference last week, but lost to No. 7 Georgetown, currently the top team in the conference.

Marquette could have at least been tied atop the standings with the Hoyas, but a costly 60-56 loss to the Villanova Wildcats last Saturday gave the team its fourth loss against a Big East foe. The Golden Eagles already played Georgetown earlier this month, too, losing 63-55 on the road.

Marquette in Milwaukee

While the Golden Eagles have struggled badly on the road this season, few teams in the nation have been as dominant at home. Playing in Milwaukee's BMO Harris Bradley Center, Marquette is 14-0 this season, including wins over Georgetown, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.

Given that Syracuse had its own home winning streak snapped by the Hoyas last week, one imagines they're planning on doing the same to the Golden Eagles on Monday night. The Orange are just 5-3 away from home this season, though they've also had quality road wins over Louisville and Notre Dame.

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