Preview: Chicago State at Marquette

[December 21, 2015]  Fresh off a win in its first road game and an eight-day break, Marquette will go for its longest winning streak in four years Monday against visiting Chicago State. With a big win at in-state rival Wisconsin, the Golden Eagles matched the seven-game win streak of the 2011-12 squad, which also won its first 10 games to start the season.

Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer continue to be a dominant force inside for head coach Steve Wojciechowski, combining for 30.8 points, 16.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game. "I wouldn't trade these two guys for any frontcourt in the country," Wojciechowski told the media. "Luke has been a rock of maturity for our team." In addition to Ellenson, Marquette starts two other freshmen and a sophomore, but Wojciechowski said his team is done talking about its age. The Cougars were mired in an eight-game losing streak prior to knocking off Western Illinois Saturday and have never beaten Marquette in six attempts, all on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS1.

ABOUT CHICAGO STATE (4-9): The Cougars have a balanced attack that consists of six players averaging between 8.2 and 11.5 points, but it's another player - 6-10 Quron Davis - that may be called upon to battle with Ellenson and Fischer. Trayvon Palmer collects a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game, but at 6-4, he gives away six or seven inches to the Marquette frontcourt duo. The Cougars, who enter their third season in the WAC, have had just one winning season since 1985-86 and are 46-126 in six seasons under head coach Tracy Dildy.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (8-2): Sandy Cohen III is the other member of the Golden Eagle's frontcourt, but at 6-6, the sophomore plays more of a perimeter game. He recently matched up with Wisconsin's leading-scorer Nigel Hayes and limited him to 10 points on 4-of-18 shooting in Marquette's two-point victory. "Sandy fought him the entire night and that's what he is becoming," Wojciechowski told reporters. "He's become our best perimeter defender."

TIP-INS

1. Ellenson grabbed Big East Freshman of the Week honors for the second time by averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists against San Jose State and Wisconsin.

2. Marquette's freshmen class - Ellenson, Haanif Cheatham, Traci Carter, Sacar Anim and Matt Heldt - have combined to average 35.7 points, 17.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists.

3. Marquette owns an average margin of victory of 34.8 points in the series.

PREDICTION: Marquette 89, Chicago State 57

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