The Marquette men's basketball team hosted the program's annual Blue & Gold Fund Fish Fry/Haunted Hoops Friday night, marking yet another step closer to the beginning of the 2010-11 campaign.

Over 500 fans attended the scrimmage at the Al McGuire Center, which followed the fish fry at the Alumni Memorial Union.

Dwight Buycks led his squad to a 21-16 victory in the first game, netting a team-best nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. The senior guard also scored a decisive basket in a 21-19 win for his team in the second 15-minute contest. Junior Darius Johnson-Odom collected a game-high 11 points in a losing effort.

Nearly 1,000 fans attended the open scrimmage hosted by the Marquette men’s basketball team, a portion of the annual festivities at the Blue & Gold Fund Fish Fry/Haunted Hoops event at the Alumni Memorial Union and Al McGuire Center.

The evening began with a sold out dinner, with the program featuring comments from head coach Buzz Williams and team and staff introductions by the senior class of Lazar Hayward, Maurice Acker and David Cubillan. Williams gave those in attendance a sneak peak at the team’s new Jordan Brand shoes, which even the current players have yet to see.

Following dinner, the crowd gathered at the Al for the open scrimmage. The men’s basketball staff also had games and prizes setup for all of the children in costume and halftime featured the parade around the court, led by Williams and the players.

Junior Dwight Buycks led all scorers with 13 points and Hayward chipped in 12 points as the Blue team downed the White squad 39-33 in a scrimmage that consisted of two 15-minute halves (running clock). Freshman Jeronne Maymon and junior Jimmy Butler paced the White team with nine points each. Maymon led all players with eight rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

The Marquette University men’s basketball team hosted another successful evening Friday, welcoming fans to campus for the annual Blue & Gold Fund Fish Fry and Haunted Hoops.

Over 200 people enjoyed a fish fry at the Alumni Memorial Union with the team and staff before heading over to the Al McGuire Center for an open scrimmage. The men’s basketball office staff also set up a series of games for the children to play and at halftime of the scrimmage all of those in costume were invited to the court for a parade.

Led by sophomore Jimmy Butler’s seven points in the first scrimmage, a 10-minute period, the White team posted a 19-10 victory. Each of the five players on the team scored at least two points.

The Blue squad, led by former head coach Hank Raymonds, rallied for a 28-27 victory in the second session. Junior Lazar Hayward’s put back proved to be the game winner after Butler’s 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim. Sophomore Joe Fulce led the Blue team with nine points and classmate Pat Hazel had nine as well for the White squad.

The latest edition of the Marquette University men's basketball program was introduced to the local media Friday afternoon at the Al McGuire Center in the team's annual media day and the team also hosted “Haunted Hoops.”

Head coach Tom Crean addressed over 30 members of the greater Milwaukee area's print, radio, television and internet media, followed by a team photo and one-on-one player interviews.

A consensus top-15 preseason selection, the Golden Eagles are ranked 12th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, released Friday morning. MU is ranked as high as eighth in the nation by the national publications.

“It's fantastic that our program is receiving predictions for success in the preseason polls,” Crean said. “It's exciting for the University, the city and the state of Wisconsin.

“You can never take it for granted,” Crean said. “Walking past the statue of Al McGuire every day helps me to not take it for granted and I hope our fans don't either.”

The Golden Eagles welcomed almost 400 fans to its annual fish fry and a large crowd watched an open practice following dinner at the Al McGuire Center. The MU basketball staff supervised numerous games and activities for the kids, who then paraded around the arena with coach Crean to show off their respective Halloween costumes. The Blue team defeated the Gold in a 20-minute scrimmage.

“We are focusing on improving on a daily basis,” Crean said. “We can't lose the speed, quickness and pace that we play with, but at the same time we have to become a much more physical team.”

Marquette fans caught a glimpse of what's in store for the 2006-07 basketball season as the no. 17 preseason ranked Marquette men's basketball team hosted “Haunted Hoops” Friday evening at the Al McGuire Center.

Children of all ages were treated to activities including “trick-or-treating,” games, musical chairs and face painting.

Head coach Tom Crean and the Golden Eagle led a parade of costumes on the court at the start of halftime, and assistant coach Jason Rabadeaux played a friendly game of “Simon Says” with the children during the break.

The evening concluded with an intrasquad scrimmage.

Marquette fans caught another glimpse of what is to come this basketball season as the Marquette men’s basketball team hosted “Haunted Hoops” tonight at the Al McGuire Center.

Pre-game activities included “trick-or-treating” and games including an eye ball toss, musical chairs, face painting and cookie decorating for fans 14 years old and younger wearing a costume.

Head coach Tom Crean led the parade of costumes on to the court before the team scrimmage tip off, while assistant coach Jason Rabadeaux played a game of “Simon Says” with the children at halftime.

The evening concluded with a team scrimmage in which the Gold Team triumphed over the Blue Team, 81-74, and an autograph session.