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Omaha, Neb. — When Marquette visits Creighton on Wednesday looking to avenge a loss earlier this month, the Golden Eagles won't have their traveling good luck charm on the bench at CenturyLink Center.

UNC-Asheville transfer Andrew Rowsey, who cannot travel with the Golden Eagles due to NCAA rules, has made his own way to four road games this season and Marquette (17-10, 6-8 Big East) has won all four. He booked his own flight to Brooklyn for the Legends Classic and caught rides to Wisconsin and DePaul, most recently finding out at the last minute his roommate was willing to take him to Rosemont to watch Marquette's 13-point win over the Blue Demons on Saturday.

For Rowsey, who will have two years of eligibility remaining when he takes the court next season, it certainly beats watching road games alone in his dorm room.

"It's so boring," Rowsey said.

This first season at Marquette has been an odd experience for Rowsey. He's simultaneously part of the team and separated from it.

Rowsey is a full participant in every aspect of the basketball program except for playing in games and traveling with the team. He practices — chirping at his teammates, getting into one-on-one battles and holding his own.

Often, though, Rowsey spends his time in practice pretending to be someone else. During tune-ups for games, especially against conference foes, Rowsey has played on the scout team representing the opponent's point guard or best shooter.

"Probably 50% of the time I do," Rowsey said of that scenario. "Other times it's just working in on drills, stuff like that. It's hard because we have 10 players, so 5-on-5 I have to sit out most of the time. I work out with a coach every day, so I do get that."

While this season has been a new experience for him, Rowsey says it has exceeded his expectations. He chose to transfer to Marquette because he was looking for a bigger college basketball experience than Asheville could offer and the opportunity to play on a national stage. After seeing things up close, he's more certain his decision was a good one.

He also has relished the opportunity to play for coach Steve Wojciechowski.

"I grew up a Duke fan my whole life, so watching him and studying his game my whole life, playing under him was something I could only dream of," Rowsey said.

Although Rowsey, who has played solely as a point guard in his career but expects to play off the ball some next season, hasn't taken his first official shot yet as a member of the Golden Eagles, Wojciechowski already considers him one of the most potent scoring threats on the team.

He averaged 19.7 points per game over two seasons at Asheville while making 208 of 529 three-pointers (39.3%). In practices, he's demonstrated that those skills have translated well.

"He's our best shooter, he's a guy who at the college level has already scored well over 1,000 points," Wojciechowski said. "Granted it wasn't the Big East, but he has experience putting the ball in the basket. At times we've struggled with that.... We're looking forward to getting him in uniform next year."

Preparing to face the physicality of the Big East has consumed Rowsey's workouts. He's focused on getting stronger and quicker to keep pace with the uptick in skill and athleticism he'll face coming from the Big South.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday against Creighton (17-10, 8-6), Marquette will face a transfer who has elevated his play in his first season in the Big East and whom Rowsey hopes he can emulate next season.

Creighton junior Maurice Watson Jr. is much like Rowsey. Both are 5-foot-10 and come from lesser-known basketball schools with Watson transferring from Boston University.

Watson's numbers haven't dipped since jumping from the Patriot League. He's averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 assists per game. His assists are tied for the most in the conference with Providence junior Kris Dunn.

Rowsey won't see Watson in person Wednesday, but he got a good look when the teams met at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Feb. 13, when Watson scored 18 points and added 10 assists.

"He's real talented, I love his game a lot," Rowsey said. "Just the way he passes the ball. Coming from a small school I really admire him wanting to take that next jump."

While the two players' games are different, Wojciechowski hopes when Rowsey finally takes the court he can replicate the success Watson has had.

"I hope he's as good as Mo Watson, because Mo Watson is pretty darn good," Wojciechowski said. "Hopefully Andrew can have an impact at the level that Mo does. That certainly would be a great thing."