Marquette ready to renew rivalry with Badgers

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --The Marquette's men's basketball team has enjoyed unprecedented early season success, with a win against the previous number one team in the country.

But another game - against unranked Wisconsin - has been circled on the Golden Eagles' calendars since before the season started. Marquette has lost two straight to the Badgers in the series.

"There's a little more animosity," says MU senior guard Tyler Kolek. "When you run out on the floor through the tunnel, the fans are yelling at you and it's just a heightened sense of urgency, then maybe some emotions will rise. We just have to keep the guys even keel."

This is Kolek's third season at Marquette, so he's only experienced two games in the rivalry with Wisconsin - both Badgers victories, including last year's game that went to overtime.

The Golden Eagles are one of the early stories of the season, rising to #3 in the rankings after knocking off previous #1 Kansas. They've also faced Purdue, who was ranked second at the time of their matchup in Hawaii. But for MU, neither of those teams raises the heartbeat the way the Badgers do.

"Whatever rivalry game you're in is the biggest rivalry game, because you're in it," says MU coach Shaka Smart. "It just takes on a little bit different storyline when you're playing a rival in-state."

The Badgers enter Saturday's showdown with a 5-2 record, including four wins in a row. The game tips off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Kohl Center.