Marquette’s Travis Diener and Steve Novak to Participate in NIT All-Star Tour of China

Travis Diener

Marquette men’s basketball players Travis Diener and Steve Novak are two of 12 Division I players selected to participate on an NIT All-Star team that will tour China from July 2-16, it was announced Monday.

“Marquette has always enjoyed a great relationship with the NIT and we are thankful for the opportunity to have two of our young men be part of this prestigious group,” said Marquette head coach Tom Crean. “I have great respect for NIT director Jack Powers and this trip will give Steve and Travis an opportunity to build on what has been a very productive spring and summer to-date. We are excited that the NIT thinks so highly of our program to select two of our players, and look forward with great anticipation to following their progress during the competition.”

Diener, a First Team All-Conference USA selection in 2003-04, averaged a team-best 18.8 points and 6.0 assists. The 6-1 point guard converted a school single-season record 90 three-point field goals during his junior campaign. One of only two players in Division I to average at least 18.0 points and 6.0 assists, Diener was a finalist for the John R. Wooden and Bob Cousy Collegiate Awards.

Novak, having just completed his sophomore season, finished second on the team in scoring (12.5 points) and three-point field goals (89). A starter in 29 of 31 games in 2003-04, Novak is the school’s all-time leading three-point shooter at 45.6 percent (144-of-316). The 6-10 forward earned C-USA Player of the Week honors on February 2nd as a result of a career-high 30 points and eight three-point field goals in the Golden Eagles’ victory at No. 4 Louisville.

Below is the roster for the 2004 NIT All-Star team:

Travis Diener 6-1 G Marquette

Ronald Ross 6-2 G Texas Tech

Donnie McGrath 6-4 G Providence

Peter Mulligan 6-5 G Manhattan

Steve Novak 6-10 F Marquette

John Cox 6-6 F San Francisco

Ed Nelson 6-8 F Connecticut

Sean Munson 6-8 F Wagner

Tyler Jones 6-9 F St. John’s

Taylor Coppenrath 6-9 F Vermont

Paul Miller 6-10 C Wichita State

Nick Fazekas 6-10 C Nevada


Head Coach: George Bucci

Assistant Coaches: Jack Powers, Leo Chang