Marquette Golden Eagles
Last Year:
22-15 overall, 9-9 Big East (T-9th)
Coach:
Buzz Williams (4th season, 69-36)
Projected starting five:
G: Junior Cadougan, Sr.
G: Darius Johnson-Odom, Sr.
F: Vander Blue, So.
F: Jae Crowder, Sr.
C: Chris Otule, Jr.
Important departures:
Jimmy Butler 15.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 apg
Dwight Buycks 8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.4 apg
Inside the numbers:
62 percent scoring returning
66 percent rebounding returning
Additions:
F: Juan Anderson 6’6”, 200 – Rivals #61
G: Derrick Wilson, 6’0”, 205 – ESPNU Pos. #32
G: Todd Mayo, 6’3”, 190
Schedule:
Toughest nonconference game(s): 12/3 at (14) Wisconsin, 12/29 vs. (7) Vanderbilt
Toughest in-conference stretch: 1/7 – 1/16 at (5) Syracuse, vs. St. John’s, vs. (11) Pittsburgh, vs. (8) Louisville
Prediction:
6th in BE; 20+ wins; Second round of NCAA Tournament
What to expect:
Marquette, coming off a roller-coaster season that ended with a loss to UNC in the Sweet 16, should have a solid core returning that could make the Golden Eagles a threat to make a little run in the NCAA Tournament again this year.
Despite losing Jimmy Butler and Dwight Buycks, Marquette has guys like Darius Johnson-Odom, Jae Crowder and Junior Cadougan who can fill the void. DJO and Crowder will be the primary scorers for Marquette as Cadougan will be pegged as mainly a facilitator.
Look for DJO and Crowder to flourish as Buzz Williams mixes in Vander Blue, Oregon transfer Jamil Wilson and Derrick Wilson, giving the Golden Eagles plenty of options to have a solid year in the BE and possibly make some noise in the NCAA.
