There is only so much one man can do.
Even if that one man scores a career-high 31 points. Even if those points come on an uber-efficient 11-of-14 shooting, making 77.8% of his shots from behind the 3-point line. And even if that man’s baskets upon baskets upon baskets make fans scream louder than they have all year, and keep his team within breathing distance all night.
Still, after all that, he is but a man. Mortal. Fallible. Unable to spur an upset on his own, especially when left without enough support from the other four guys on the court with him.
Nigel James Jr. did more than anyone can ask of him and more in Marquette men’s basketball’s hosting of Villanova on Saturday. Alas, all of it was still not enough, as the Golden Eagles (6-11, 1-5 Big East) fell to the Wildcats (13-3, 4-1), 76-73.
“He led us in aggressiveness and he led us in poise,” Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. “We got to keep working with all of our guys to turn both of those up.”
If not for James Jr., the final score would have been larger than three points and the game over long before the final possession it came down to. With each drive to the hoop, each decisive three and each acrobatic layup, the 6-foot point guard was carrying along with him more than the ball, but the Golden Eagles’ chances at ending the game ending on top.
Marquette’s first eight points were all courtesy of him. When the first half turned into an offensive shootout, it was James Jr. keeping the Golden Eagles competitive. He would make a three, then Chase Ross would follow suit. He would assist the ball, then be the one hitting the shot the next possession. He would get a steal and take it to the rim, cashing in on himself.
“When I’m being aggressive, everybody feeds off that. My whole team feeds off the energy we have,” James Jr. said. “So when I’m aggressive, and I’m talking and giving everybody energy, coming out here aggressive, not hesitating, everybody else doesn’t hesitate.”
Marquette went into halftime trailing by six, 44-38. It was as close as it was thanks largely to James Jr. and his 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, also going 5-for-7 from beyond the arc, in only 17 minutes.
The halftime break did not slow him down, either. With 17 minutes still to play, James Jr. tied his previous career-high 23 points on his first — not last — 3-pointer of the half. He would get one more with 11:25 remaining to make it a one-possession game.
That may have been his final trey, but he continued to make his mark on the scoreboard. Over the last 10 minutes, James Jr. dished four assists and scored five more points, his last of the night cutting Marquette’s deficit to one, 72-71, and forcing a Villanova timeout.
“His confidence has grown a lot,” Smart said. “His aggressiveness has been terrific. And what’s been really good is his voice has ramped up as his aggressiveness on the floor has ramped up.
“He’s the guy now, we’re 17 games into the year, that speaks up more than anyone in our huddles. And guys listen because the way he’s playing, and there’s a respect level that they have for him.”
But one man cannot beat six.
Three Wildcats scored double-digits going into halftime — Duke Brennan, Acaden Lewis and Matthew Hodge — with another in Bryce Lindsay one away from joining the party. By the end of the game, Lewis had 20 to his name, Hodge 14, Brennan 12 and Lindsay was still at nine, with two more getting on the scoresheet in Devin Askew (13) and Tyler Perkins (8).
Compare that to Marquette, which had one other Golden Eagle score more than 10 points total — let alone in the first half — in Royce Parham (17). Chase Ross, whose Hail Mary of a 3-pointer in the last possession missed badly, continued struggling with eight. Adrien Stevens added four and final starter Ben Gold made only one basket for two points.
“[Ross] saw a couple 3-point shots go in today, which is just a step in the right direction, because it’s been a while since he he made many from outside,” Smart said. “But that’s one where we want to keep getting him open looks from three. That last one obviously wasn’t open, but we want to get as many open looks as we can, and he’s got to be on balance, take his time and shoot.”
As a team, the blue & gold shot 25-of-57 and 11-of-31 from beyond the arc. Nearly half of the baskets and 63.6% of the threes can be attributed to James Jr. Take him away, and Marquette is 14-of-43 overall (32.6%) and 4-of-22 (18.2%) from deep.
When Villanova shoots 55.4% with help from so many players; when two crucial Marquette possessions in the final minute end with far-off-the-mark threes; when the Golden Eagles again fail to convert a desired end-of-regulation play after a timeout — the work of one man is not enough. At least not for a victory.
Even if that one man is named Nigel James Jr.
This story was written by Jack Albright. He can be reached at jack.albright@marquette.edu or on Twitter/X @JackAlbrightMU.