After an Unexpected Injury to Tyler Kolek, Does Marquette Still Have a Chance in the NCAA Tournament?

Securing second spot in Big East Conference, Marquette has had a commendable season with 22 wins and 7 losses. In their recent matchup against Providence, Tyler Kolek registered 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists alongside Kam Jones who added 17 points to the total score and took a 91-69 win over the Friars. However, Kolek couldn’t see the end of the game as he suffered an unexpected injury leaving his team in the sudden shock to survive without him.

The stakes were high for Golden Eagles as they were battling without their star player. However, things didn’t turn out in their favor and Marquette had to face an 89-75 defeat at the hands of Creighton Bluejays.

Tyler Kolek’s injury puts Marquette in a pickle

Kolak has been a key player on Golden Eagles’ roster. Last time, he led them to the Big East regular season and also to the tournament titles. Continuing with his scoring prowess, Kolak leads Division I with 7.6 assists per game while averaging 15 points, and 4.7 rebounds.

However, his unexpected oblique injury during the matchup against Providence has left the team dumbfounded. He had left the game early in the second half, however, he briefly and then finally left the floor for good. As a result, he missed the following game against Creighton which Golden Eagles lost by 89-75. Moreover, he will be missing the upcoming game against #1 UConn and Xavier.

In wake of their star’s injury, other players have stepped up to the game. Moreover, they are maintaining the team’s competitiveness by their collective contribution.

Read More: Winning With a Very Thin Margin of Error in Parallel, Is Marquette Still on Track to Win the Big East?

Needless to say, Kolek’s absence is affecting the team’s scoring and playmaking skills, however, they are adapting with innovative strategies.

Kolek’s impact on the Golden Eagles

Tyler Kolek has quintessentially influenced and elevated the team’s dynamics with his court vision and an unmatched ability to make passes. His presence on the court ensures smoothness in the game along with better shot selection and better offense.

Moreover, he is strongly reliable in terms of contributing to the team’s score. Also, his gameplay is such that he easily creates shots for himself adding versatility to the team’s offense. His outstanding leadership originates from the experience, he uses to guide the younger players and boost morale.

Talking about his defense, Kolek’s steals, perimeter coverage, and communication reinforce Marquette’s defense. As a result, his absence could easily affect the team’s ability to disrupt the opponent’s gameplay and limit Marquette’s scoring opportunities.

His absence is indeed impactful in ways more than one as his teammates must fill his scoring gaps if they wish to survive their chance in the NCAA Tournament. Not only that, the team must adapt to different late-game scenarios in the absence of his crucial clock management skills in close games.