No. 2 Marquette 'reacclimating' All-American Tyler Kolek

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th March, 16:38 2024

Marquette guard Tyler Kolek (11) takes advantage of a pick by forward Ben Gold (12) on guard Jayden Pierre (1) during the first half of their game Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WisconsinMark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel credits: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

Second-team All-American point guard Tyler Kolek practiced with Marquette in full-contact workouts that included 5-on-5 work, raising the level of optimism around his availability when the Golden Eagles open the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Indianapolis.

"Tyler has practiced, he's gone live, 5-on-5," Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. "But at the same time, there's a reacclimation process."

Kolek was sidelined by an oblique injury against Providence on Feb. 28 and began working back into team practice sessions during the Big East tournament. He did not play in the tournament but declared himself "back" during Marquette's Selection Sunday gathering.

Kolek has nine 20-point games this season and is tied for eighth in the nation with 214 assists.

Marquette (25-9) is the No. 2 seed in the South and faces Western Kentucky in the first round on Friday, a six-day layoff since losing in the conference tournament title game to UConn, 73-57. It was the Golden Eagles' third loss to the Huskies in 30 days.

The Golden Eagles lost in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament to Michigan State.

—Field Level Media