Next years backcourt

[Warrior of Law]

Junior and Vander.  That'll be interesting.

[muwarrior97]

Most hated backcourt on any internet board

[Mike Deane's Seat Belt]

i really hope mayo is starting at some point in the season clearly a superior basketball player over blue

[MerrittsMustache]

Junior, Blue and Mayo might all start.

[IrritatedWhiteCat]

You have no idea how good TJ Taylor is.  If he does not have character issues he will be better than DJO

[madtownwarrior]

thank God we should have a good front court with Wilson, Gardner and Otule....

when is the last time we said that about a MU team?

[chapman]

Mayo will start.  Calling it now: He will also be our best player.

[Clam Crowder]

Mayo starts over Blue next year, I don't have any doubts. I think Marquette will actually play a more traditional lineup and play Jamil at the 3 and possibly Steve at the 4. I think we have a good team. Look at the jump Jae took from this year to last year...Someone else will make that jump.

[Blackhat]

thank God we should have a good front court with Wilson, Gardner and Otule....

when is the last time we said that about a MU team?

How long will Otule be healthy?   Gardner?   Wilson shouldn't even be a big.  

[Norm]

You have no idea how good TJ Taylor is.  If he does not have character issues he will be better than DJO

I hope you are correct in your assessment.

[Warrior of Law]

I wonder if Blue can handle a limited, non-starting role.  He really would good off the bench to add some energy defensively and spelling Mayo and Junior.

Wilson, Otule and Gardner is a solid front line. That 2/3 spot will make the difference.  Seems like there will be some talent to choose from.  With that said, MU will be fine next year.

[Dreadman24]

Worst backcourt in the big east if Cadougan and Blue is starting next year. I think Mayo should start. Really wish Duane Wilson was coming next year because Cadougan is not the answer at Point. Forgive me for sounding so critical.

[muhoosier260]

awesome first post. worst BE backcourt?

[77ncaachamps]

Cadougan: distributor and tempo setter. No confidence in shooting the ball but will occasionally take it to the hole.

Blue: can be a shut down defender and thrives in transition game (though he feigns contact when taking it to the hole). No outside shot is a liability.

Mayo: good shooter but can be streaky. Explosive to the hole. Not ideal height and build of a premier SG but has been inconsistent with headiness in games.

Taylor is presumed to be a scorer, but he may be the surprise MU needs.

My vote: barring a Taylor take over during the off season, it's Junior and Todd.

[mileskishnish72]

Fingers crossed that TJ is what we need.

[brewcity77]

I'd guess Junior, Todd, and Van all start, with Otule and Jamil up front. This is probably the most obvious starting five since 2008-09.

[tower912]

Agreed, BC77.    Three guard starting line up, Jamil and CO starting up front.   Davante and CO getting roughly the same minutes.   I don't think JWilson gets as many minutes as Crowder did this year and I think we play more 'big' sets, with only two guards out there.    Lots of talent returning.    Just a matter of who emerges as the leader and who makes the biggest progression.

[MUMac]

Most hated backcourt on any internet board

Unfortunately, that seems to include our own.   

[Henry Sugar]

Most hated backcourt on any internet board

We take offense to that remark.

Sincerely,
Acker and Cubillan

[attackelite]

Blue needs to move on to many issues both on and off court. Both he and MU need a fresh start.

[GGGG]

Mayo starts over Blue next year, I don't have any doubts. I think Marquette will actually play a more traditional lineup and play Jamil at the 3 and possibly Steve at the 4. I think we have a good team. Look at the jump Jae took from this year to last year...Someone else will make that jump.

Blue will start.  If he is here and healthy, I can pretty much guaranty it.  Wilson, Junior and Blue are 99% sure starters IMO.  I would guess Mayo would start too unless TJ Taylor turns out to be really, really good.  Otule and Gardner will split time.

[Canadian Dimes]

at this point i think if tj is really good it hurts vanders time more than mayos.  i think right now todd rebounds and defends as well as vander, the offense is clear

[brewcity77]

at this point i think if tj is really good it hurts vanders time more than mayos.  i think right now todd rebounds and defends as well as vander, the offense is clear

The only guy that rebounds as well as Blue is Jae. No one on next year's team is as good at assessing where the ball will come off or securing it quickly. Van has his deficiencies, but he is probably one of the best rebounding guards in the nation.

[BCHoopster]

More importantly, I hope either Ferguson or Taylor can score as scoring will be a little harder next year.  Wilson has to step up and Steve Taylor has to add some points but
somebody is going to have to make plays at the 2 or 3.  Junior is junior, is scoring will not go up significantly.  So it is the 2 above.  Vander brings a lot to the table, but as you saw last night, he has issues scoring, his talents may not mesh with next years team.

[CTWarrior]

Van has his deficiencies, but he is probably one of the best rebounding guards in the nation.

I agree with this.  Mayo is a very good rebounder for his size, but Blue is fantastic.  Mayo is Blue's equal as a defender, I think, and clearly a better offensive player (that 40 or so day slump notwithstanding).  I think they may both start next year, but if not, PT may depend on whether we need offense or rebounding more.  Next year I think we're going to need both so I have no idea what we'll do.