In Steve Wojciehowski’s second year as head coach, the Marquette basketball program did not make the leap many expected as the Golden Eagles failed to make the NCAA Tournament and NIT.
Henry Ellenson did live up to the hype but as many expected was a one-and-done and is now in the NBA. MU still returns five of their top six leading scorers and welcome four impact newcomers. That depth, specifically at guard, gives them a chance to make some noise in the Big East.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
Last Season: 7th, 8-10 in Big East, 20-13 overall
Predicted Big East Finish: 6th
Projected Depth Chart
C: Luke Fischer (Sr)/Matt Heldt (So)
G/F: Kaitin Reinhardt (Sr)/Sam Hauser (Fr)/Sandy Cohen (Jr)/Sacar Anim (So)
SG: Haanif Cheatham (So)/JaJuan Johnson (Sr)
G: Duane Wilson (Jr)/Andrew Rowsey (Jr)
PG: Traci Carter (So)/Markus Howard (Fr)
Gone: PF-Henry Ellenson, F-Wally Ellenson
Marquette Basketball Strengths:
A weakness a year ago should become a strength this season. The Golden Eagles struggled shooting it from deep last year, connecting on just 34% of their three-point attempts but a pair of transfers and two freshmen should make them much more dangerous from the outside.
Former UNC-Asheville guard and Big South Freshman of the Year, Andrew Rowsey finished 13th in the nation in three-pointers made during the 2014-15 campaign and becomes eligible after sitting out last season. Graduate transfer Katin Reinhardt drilled 37% of his triple tries last season and is immediately eligible this year. Top 100 recruits Markus Howard and Sam Hauser also bring a reputation of being solid outside shooters while last year’s best outside shooter, Haanif Cheatham also return. Add in upperclassmen Duane Wilson and JaJuan Johnson, and Marquette likely possesses the deepest guard depth in the conference which was a nightly concern in 2015-16.
Marquette Basketball Question Marks:
Luke Fischer brings a proven low post presence to the floor but there is not much depth behind him inside. Matt Heldt played sparingly as a freshman and often looked overwhelmed on both ends of the floor. The former top 100 recruit should improve as a sophomore but outside of Fischer and Heldt, the Golden Eagles have very little size with 6-7 freshman, Hauser being the next tallest player on the roster. As a result, Marquette cannot afford to lose Fischer or Heldt to injury at any point during the season.
Marquette Basketball Player to Watch:
With the Golden Eagles having missed out on the NCAA Tournament the past three season, Reinhardt is the only player on the roster with tourney experience. After starting his college basketball career at UNLV, Marquette is his third stop in five seasons. Due to the lack of size on the roster, Reinhardt may end of playing out of position at the four but he is also capable of running the point when needed so he does bring a unique versatility to the floor.
X-Factor:
A consensus four-star recruit, Markus Howard chose to reclassify to the 2016 class and enter college a year early. He is a skilled point guard who is capable of distributing the rock but can also score from anywhere on the floor. In a very crowded backcourt, Howard should push for immediate playing time at the one and might end up being the most talented of Wojo’s collection of guards.
Looking Ahead to 2017-18:
Marquette has already secured three commitments for the 2017 class which will add some needed size and athleticism inside. Ike Eke and Theo John are 6-9 power forwards who will join a team that should once again be loaded with depth and skill in the backcourt and on the wing, especially with the addition of their third commit, 6-7 small forward Jamal Cain.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/11 vs. Vanderbilt (Veterans Classic in Annapolis, MD)
11/17 vs. Michigan (2K Classic)
11/18 vs. Pitt/SMU (2K Classic)
12/4 at Georgia
12/10 vs. Wisconsin
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.