Marquette basketball vs. Western Kentucky live score, updates, highlights from 2024 March Madness game

The Marquette men's basketball team opens the 2024 NCAA Tournament with a first round March Madness game against Western Kentucky on Friday in Indianapolis.

Shaka Smart's Golden Eagles, seeded No. 2 for a second straight year in their region, are led by seniors Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro. They'll play a Western Kentucky team, seeded No. 15, that enters the March Madness bracket after winning the Conference USA tournament.

Follow below for live game and score updates today. Be sure to refresh your browser for the latest. Marquette beat reporter Ben Steele is also in Indianapolis. Follow him here.

Marquette up 13-12 after eight minutes in the first half

Outside of Kolek, Marquette is struggling with its shot.

Through eight minutes, Marquette is 5 of 14 (35.7%) from the field and 2 of 8 (25%) from three-point range. The Golden Eagles are also just 1 of 5 (20%) from the free-throw line.

Kam Jones had a nice drive to the basket and while getting fouled he his shot. But he missed his free throw.

During this recent stretch, Western Kentucky had three straight turnovers and five total. But Marquette also has three early on, the last one coming right before the second media timeout.

Marquette leads Western Kentucky, 8-7, at first media timeout

Marquette holds the small 8-7 lead with 15:56 left.

Western Kentucky will be on the free throw line coming out of the timeout.

After making his first two 3-pointers Kolek missed his next shot. But the All-American point guard doesn't appear to be limited from the oblique injury that kept him out since Feb. 28.

Tyler Kolek hits first two 3-pointers after returning from injury

Tyler Kolek is back after missing the last six games with an injury and he is off to a great start against Western Kentucky.

He opened with a made three-pointer early on to make it 5-5 with 18:02 left in the half. Oso Ighodaro got an offensive rebound and threw it out to Kolek at the top of the key.

Then, two possessions later, Kolek drilled another one after a pass from Ighodaro as Marquette was pushing the pace after a rebound. It's 8-5 Marquette with 17:08 left.

Kolek shoots 40% from deep on the season.

Marquette basketball starting lineup

• Kam Jones

• Stevie Mitchell

• Tyler Kolek

• David Joplin

• Oso Ighodaro

Where is Marquette located?

Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Where is Western Kentucky located?

Western Kentucky is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Marquette vs Western Kentucky live score updates in NCAA Tournament first round

Marquette (2) vs. Western Kentucky (15) in the South Region.

The winner plays the winner of Florida (7) vs. Colorado (10) in the second round on Sunday.

Marquette game jerseys for today's game vs. Western Kentucky

What channel is Marquette vs. Western Kentucky on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: TBS

• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app |  Sling TV

Marquette will tip off vs. Western Kentucky on TBS. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV (or Fubo, which offers a free trial). Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy (analysts) will call the game. Andy Katz is the sideline reporter.

Team vs. Team start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 1 p.m.

• TV info: TBS

• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhose, Indianapolis, Indiana

Marquette vs Western Kentucky basketball preview

Marquette: Marquette is in the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season. The Golden Eagles enter the tournament with a 25-9 overall record. They finished second in the Big East with a 14-6 mark. After defeating Vermont in the opening round last year of the NCAA Tournament, the Golden Eagles fell to Michigan State in the second round.

Western Kentucky: Western Kentucky will play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Hilltoppers finished the regular season 22-11 and 8-8 in Conference USA play. They earned the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after winning three games in three days in their conference tourney.

Marquette vs Western Kentucky odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM

• Spread: Marquette -14 ½

• Over/under: 157

• Moneyline: Marquette -1070; Western Kentucky +735

Marquette vs Western Kentucky prediction, game picks

Marquette is a heavy favorite as a No. 2 seed and you probably won't find many March Madness brackets picking the upset. Marquette, though banged up with injuries, is experienced and motivated after bowing out in the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Western Kentucky needed to win its conference tournament to qualify for March Madness.

Journal Sentinel Marquette beat reporter Ben Steele writes that "this game is about the Golden Eagles getting back into a flow with Kolek on the court. It might be tougher than expected for MU, but there's enough edge in talent to push MU into the second round."

How far will Marquette go in the NCAA Tournament? Here's why Marquette can advance to the Elite 8.

SCOUTING REPORT: Who has the edge between Marquette vs. Western Kentucky in the 2024 NCAA Tournament first round?

Marquette vs Western Kentucky injury updates

Tyler Kolek is the player everyone wants to know about. Marquette's two-time All-American point guard hasn't played since suffering an oblique injury Feb. 28 against Providence. The senior missed the team's final three regular season games and then the Golden Eagles' three Big East Tournament games.

Head coach Shaka Smart said Kolek will play on Friday.

Marquette Oso Ighodaro is also one to watch. The 6-11 senior banged knees in Marquette's loss to UConn in the Big East tournament title game last Saturday. He departed with about seven minutes left in the game and didn't return, but he should be a full-go for the NCAA Tournament.

Marquette vs Western Kentucky stats

Marquette

• PPG: 78.3

• PPG allowed: 69.7

• FG%: 47.8%

• 3PT%: 35.8%

• KenPom ranking: 13

Western Kentucky

• PPG: 80.6

• PPG allowed: 74.1

• FG% 46.8%

• 3PT%: 34.0%

• KenPom ranking: 135

Marquette vs Western Kentucky championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

Marquette: +2500 (ninth best odds)

Marquette basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of Marquette basketball's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

Western Kentucky basketball schedule 2023-24

The past five games of Western Kentucky's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette vs Western Kentucky live score, updates: NCAA Tournament