MILWAUKEE — The games don’t get much bigger in men’s college basketball.

Fourth-ranked Marquette hits the road to take on top-ranked Connecticut Saturday. 

Our Dennis Krause had a chance to talk with former Marquette star and current radio analyst Tony Smith. 

Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin: Always one of my favorites. Love to get the insights of Tony Smith.  Big game Saturday: Marquette at UConn. How does Marquette match up?

Tony Smith: I think Marquette matches up well with anybody. I mean, they've shown [that] this year already playing in some big tournaments early on over Thanksgiving down in Hawaii. They played tough down there at Purdue. They beat Kansas. So, they’re playing the big schools well.

But obviously, they struggle with size, because of their offensive rebounding issue that sometimes shows up, and Clingan is as big as they come in the country. So he's going to be a load. Matter of fact, I mean, that's one thing that beat them against Purdue was Zach Edey was a tip in late in the ball game. So they got a big body to deal with. But, you know, Oso Ighodaro is probably as underrated as they come, as far as big guys in the country and what he can do. So, I think they match up well with UConn and I think it's going to be a tough battle.

Spectrum News 1: Is Shaka Smart ahead of schedule and what has he done to transform this program?

Smith: I would say he's way ahead of schedule, right now. I mean, you're typically going to give a guy three or four years to, you know, get his kind of guys in there and then get them to play. I mean, especially with the atmosphere, with the portal, guys have an ability to leave right away if they're not happy with the situation. It can't be easy right now for coaches to keep players, but Shaka is the kind of guy, he's a relationships guy. He talks about that all the time and the interactions I see with the kids. They love him. So, they're going to play extra hard for him. And it's a great dynamic he has going.

But, I think he's way ahead of schedule. I couldn't have expected this level of play like this quickly.

Spectrum News 1: I'm not talking about the Al McGuire years, just talking this century. Tom Crean had a Final Four team in 2003. Buzz Williams Elite Eight in 2013. How far can this Marquette team go, do you think?

Smith: Man, I think they have the ability to go very far. I'm I'm looking at a Final Four run, possibly. You know, obviously, last year they had the number two seed in the tournament. They're going to be something similar to that again this year. And last year they got derailed by injuries.

You know, Tyler Kolek, wasn't Tyler Kolek. And if you've watched Marquette and know anything about it, they're going to need Tyler Kolek. Look, I mean, he is the engine. You know, he's the guy that stirs the drink there. So he's got to be full strength. You know, health is going to be the number one factor. If they can stay healthy, they're going to be a very, very dangerous team.