Marquette Golden Eagles
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #27
Conference Rank: #4 Big East
Marquette had their best season under Coach Steve Wojciechowski in 2018-2019. The Golden Eagles won 24 games and finished second in the Big East. However, success in the NCAA Tournament once again eluded Marquette. They were upset in the first round by Murray State and the Golden Eagles have not won a tournament game since their Elite Eight run from 2013. With the transfer of Sam and Joey Hauser, Marquette has dropped down the rankings, but there is still enough talent on this roster to compete in the Big East.
2018-19 Record: 24-10, 12-6
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Steve Wojciechowski
Coach Record: 97-69 at Marquette, 97-69 overall
Key Departed Players:
Sam Hauser, Guard/Forward, 14.9 ppg
Joey Hauser, Forward, 9.7 ppg
Joseph Chartouny, Guard, 3.0 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Markus Howard, Senior, Guard, 25.0 ppg
Sacar Anim, Senior, Guard/Forward, 8.3 ppg
Theo John, Junior, Forward, 5.5 ppg
Ed Morrow, Senior, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Brendan Bailey, Sophomore, Forward, 3.2 ppg
Jamal Cain, Junior, Forward, 1.7 ppg
Greg Elliott, Sophomore, Guard, DNP last season
Key New Players:
Dexter Akanno, Freshman, Guard
Brendan Carney, Freshman, Guard
Jayce Johnson, Senior, Center, Grad Transfer from Utah
Michael Kennedy, Freshman, Forward
Koby McEwen, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Utah State
Symir Torrence, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
The return of Markus Howard is what gives Marquette hope. Howard, a 5-11 senior, averaged 25.0 points, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals. He is one of the most prolific and efficient outside shooters in the country and any time Howard is having an especially good day, Marquette can beat anybody. For now, Howard will have to carry an even bigger role for this team than he did last year. The success of this group will come down to the pieces filling in around Howard. Sachar Anim and Theo John are returning starters and will be asked to help in the scoring department. Anim, a 6-5 wing, is a decent all-around scorer and now will need to remain consistent while taking more shots. John will join Ed Morrow and Brendan Bailey as the returning frontcourt options. This is not a group that will likely do much scoring, but they should be strong on the glass and play decent defense. The addition of Jayce Johnson, a graduate transfer from Utah, will add plenty of frontcourt depth. But much of the scoring to compliment Howard will need to come from some newcomers on the perimeter, most notably Utah State transfer Koby McEwen. He was a third-time All-MWC performer and will be a major shooting threat for Marquette. Greg Elliott is back after missing last season with an injury and Symir Torrence highlights the group of freshmen. Those two may not be double digit scoring threats on a regular basis, but can provide Marquette with the depth and talent they need to compliment Howard and take Marquette to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.3 (62nd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.5 (123, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.4 (118, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.5 (25, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.4 (40, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.8 (12, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.7 (23, 1)
Rebound Margin: 4.5 (44, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.4 (178, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.9 (258, 10)
Madness 2020 NBA Draft Rankings:
#52 Markus Howard
Madness 2019 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#85 Symir Torrence
