Marquette Golden Eagles
Big East (17-15, 9-9)
Marquette had high hopes heading into the 2013-2014 campaign. Many figured it would be the Golden Eagles who highlighted the new look Big East. Of course Villanova and Creighton took over that role. But Marquette was still looking strong in Big East until the very end of the season. Back-to-back double overtime losses against Providence and St. John’s to end the regular season were tough to swallow.
Big Wins: 11/29 vs George Washington (76-60), 1/30 Providence (61-50), 2/15 Xavier (81-72)
Bad Losses: 1/18 at Butler (57-69), 3/4 at Providence (80-81), 3/18 St. John’s (90-91)
Coach: Buzz Williams (6 seasons at Marquette)
Why They Can Surprise:
Marquette has some talent in the paint, most notable is Davante Gardner. The 6-8 senior is the team’s top scorer. While he usually does not start due to conditioning and foul concerns, Coach Buzz Williams will play him as much as possible. Jamil Wilson has more versatility to his offensive game and is at least a threat to knock down the mid-range jumper. Chris Otule is the big body in the paint. Even when Otule is not scoring, which is most of the time, or putting any other numbers in the box score, he makes a big impact on both ends of the floor.
Why They Can Disappoint:
It is not like the backcourt lacks in talent. Todd Mayo is a clutch scorer and Derrick Wilson is a quality distributor and floor leader, but this team seriously lacks shooters. Jake Thomas will knock down a couple long balls per game, but that is about it. Others will shoot them, but are certainly not consistent threats that the opposition has to worry about. For a team that has interior scorers and can force the opposition to collapse into the paint, it is vital that they knock down some shots. If not, Marquette’s postseason will be just as disappointing as the regular season.
Probable Starters:
Derrick Wilson, Junior, Guard, 5.0 ppg, 4.2 apg
Jake Thomas, Senior, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 1.3 apg
Juan Anderson, Junior, Forward, 3.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Jamil Wilson, Senior, Forward, 11.7 ppg, 2.6 apg, 5.9 rpg
Chris Otule, Senior, Center, 5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Deonte Burton, Freshman, Guard, 6.9 ppg
John Dawson, Freshman, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Davante Gardner, Senior, Forward, 14.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Todd Mayo, Junior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 2.0 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.4 (139th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.7 (142, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.1 (180, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.1 (101, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.8 (311, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: n/a
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.2 (194, 7)
Rebound Margin: 3.1 (79, 4)
Assists Per Game: 14.8 (46, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (121, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round win over Davidson
2013 NCAA Third Round win over Butler
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Miami
2013 NCAA Regional Final loss to Syracuse
2012 NCAA Second Round win over BYU
2012 NCAA Third Round win over Murray State
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Florida
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Xavier
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Syracuse
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to North Carolina
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Washington
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Utah State
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Missouri
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Kentucky
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Stanford
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan State
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
