For reference, David Joplin currently holds the Marquette record with 139 games played.
Coming into this year, Jordan Bohannon had set the record for most NCAA D1 games played at 179 games. He played 6 years with a COVID year.
This year, at least 3 players will eclipse that number of games based on a combination of COVID years, NAIA/JUCO bonus year and D1 years.
Elijah Malone of Colorado played 139 games in 4 years at NAIA Grace College in Indiana. In getting both the NAIA year and a COVID year, he is in his second year at Colorado. He has played in 46 D1 games to raise his career total to 185 college games played. If he is able to stay healthy, he should play in a minimum of 19 regular season and at least 2 post-season games to get to a minimum of 205 career games. He'll turn 24 years old during the NCAA tournament.
Chad Baker-Mazara of USC is in his 5th year of D1 and has played in 132 games at Duquesne, San Diego State, Auburn (2 years) and now USC. He played an additional 32 games at JUCO school, NW Florida State between his stints at San Diego State and Auburn. He has a minimum of 20 games between regular and post - seasons left to play, so he will be in the 184 career games played range. He'll turn 26 years old in January.
Yaxel Lendeborg of Michigan is the final 6th year player I'll mention. The 23 year old spent 3 years at JUCO Arizona Western and played in 78 career JUCO games. He played 2 years at UAB and is finishing at Michigan and has played in 83 D1 games to date and is at 161 career games. He wil also get to 183 career games at a minimum.
Career point totals to date for the 3 players.
Malone - 2,300 points
Baker-Mazara - 1,927 points
Lendeborg - 2,300 points.
The underpinnings of unlimited eligibility have been laid. 30 yo Marquette players is not far off. Happens all the time in pro sports.
Definitely would have gambled with all of our redshirt freshmen and just played them given that eligibility will most likely look a lot different in 4 years anyway. Another thing that Shaka seems to be a bit behind on.