MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: wadesworld on November 23, 2019, 09:51:57 PM
-
I think we had a thread for maybe certain eras but I tried searching it and can’t find it. Who are your favorite all time Marquette players? My top 5 are:
1) Wade - pretty easy.
2) Jae - a true Warrior.
3) Diener - see Jae’s explanation.
4) Cordell Henry - loved the jersey tug after made 3 pointers.
5) Nnamaka - no idea why but I was pretty young and just loved his game.
Wes, Rowsey, Lazar, Robert Jackson, Novak, Hutchins, and Miller as honorable mentions for me.
-
I will preface this by saying I didn’t see much before 2000 or so.
My 13 scholarships go to:
1) Wade
2) Diener
3) Butler
4) James
5) Rowsey
6) Crowder
7) Matthews
8) Novak
9) Gardner
10) Howard
11) Johnson-Odom
12) Hayward
13) Cubillan
EDIT: Honorable Mention) Theo John
-
!st Team 2nd Team 3rd Team
Meminger Butch Lee Diener
Wade JFB Markus
Crowder Tatum Mathews
G Thompson Bo Ellis D Key
Chones Mo Lucas Whitehead
Honorable Mention: Bob Wolf, Brian Brunkhorst, Allie McGuire, Bob Lackey, Lloyd Walton, Marcus Washington, Jim Boylan, Doc Rivers, Tony Smith, Jim McIlvaine, Aaron Hutchins, Brian Wardle, Steve Novak, Lazar Hayward, Dom James, Jerel McNeal, DJO, Vander Blue, Big Smoove.
-
1. Earl Tatum
2. Butch Lee
3. Bo Ellis
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Markus Howard
6. Jae Crowder
7. Bernard Toone
8. Davante Gardner
9. Dominic James
10. Maurice Lucas
-
I’ll also preface with a post 2000s list
Wade
Markus
Vander
Jae
Novak
Diener
Jerel
D James
DJO
Jfb
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not having Markus on a list that includes Rowsey and Davante is very odd. Those two guys were fun to watch, but sometimes I feel like Markus Howard is the most disrespected MU player outside of Vander Blue since I became a fan.
-
Terry Reason.
-
Post Al:
David Boone
Wade
D. James
Ron Curry
Benny Moore
Dwayne Johnson
Vander
Carlino
JFB
DJO
Sam Hauser
Diener
Hutchins
-
Lenny
Saw some surprising ratings on your list. For my money, Bo was a first team guy by a wide margin. Four years of playing at big time level, plus two FF. He was a stud from day one.
-
As Bo says, "I didn't make two Final Fours, I made two championship games"
-
Alphabetically ...
Jimmy Butler
Travis Diener
Roney Eford
Markus Howard
Wes Matthews
Jim McIlvaine
Tony Miller
Joe Nethan
Steve Novak
Terry Reason
Tony Smith
Dwyane Wade
-
In addition to the obvious D. Key will always have bring memories
-
Butch Lee, Dean Meminger, Jim Chones, Bo Ellis, Earl Tatum, Doc
Rivers, Larry McNeill, Maurice Lucas, Jim McIlvaine, Travis Diener,
George Thompson, Joe Thomas, Gary Brell, Dwayne Wade and
Lazar Hayward.
-
Can't forget Al's "Pick Man"--Ric Cobb
-
As an old timer: (pre Al)
Don Kojis, Gene Berce ,Terry Rand, Rube Schultz, and Dick Nixon (not the President)
-
As an old timer: (pre Al)
Don Kojis, Gene Berce ,Terry Rand, Rube Schultz, and Dick Nixon (not the President)
Mike Moran as well.
-
How about Ron and John Glaser, Walt Mangham, Jim McCoy and Russ
Wittberger. Unheralds--Jackie Burke, Jeff Sewell, Bill Neary and
Gary Rosenberger.
-
1) Wade
2) Diener
3) Novak
4) James
5) McNeal
6) Matthews
7) Lazar
8) Butler
9) Vander
10) Markus
-
Sam Hauser
Joey Hauser
Jeronne Maymon
Scott Christopherson
Odarty Blankson
-
Tony Miller, Aaron Hutchins, Cordell Henry, Travis Diener
Steve Novak, Vander Blue, DJO, Jae Crowder, Wes, Jerel
Jim Mc, Damon Key, Davante, Scott Merrit, Chris Crawford
-
My list is extremely colored by when I attended MU, but...
Travis Diener
Steve Novak
Wes Matthews
Davante Gardner
Jimmy Butler
Lazar Hayward
Jae Crowder
-
Terry Reason.
beat me to it
-
My list is biased by guys I was friends with as a student, later as an employee and working with them...some I never saw actually play.
Jim Chones, never saw play...but worked with him for two years...one of my favorite peeps. Some of these guys weren't necessarily great players, but brought other things to the table.
Steve Novak
Wes Matthews
Bo Ellis...never saw play....worked with him for four years...wonderful person...all time favorite
Dwyane Wade...get to work with him for the first time in early 2020...cannot wait.
Travis Diener
Tony Smith
Jimmy Mac
Sam Hauser
Markus Howard
Chris Otule
Jon Harris
Oluoma Nnamaka
-
08-09 to present
Lazar
DJO
McNeal
Crowder
Howard
Jimmy
Rowsey
Davante
Vander
Theo
-
So this is favorite, not best (while most of these guys also are MU greats). Therefore, I DQ'd myself from pre-1980 - though I watched the 1974-79 teams, I was not an MU fan as a child and can't say that any of those guys were "favorites" of mine
Lloyd Moore
Kerry Trotter
David Boone
Tony Smith
Tony Miller
Jim McIlvaine
Brian Wardle
Dwyane Wade
Robert Jackson
Steve Novak
Travis Diener
Dominic James
Jae Crowder
Lazar Hayward
Jimmy Butler
Davante Gardner
Andrew Rowsey
Matt Heldt
Markus Howard
Theo John
-
beat me to it
It is a fight for second place.
-
Kojis and Nixon definitely pre Al.
-
Terry Reason.
I believe Terry Reason is the only player to run from the Clybourn Gym to the Arena for a game. That should count for something.
-
Lenny
Saw some surprising ratings on your list. For my money, Bo was a first team guy by a wide margin. Four years of playing at big time level, plus two FF. He was a stud from day one.
Matthews and Whitehead were supposed to be on the 3rd team. Also, Bo and Jae change places.
-
Tier 1
Wade
Tier 2
Crowder
Jimmy
Diener
Novak
Tier 3
'Rel
Matthews
DJames
DJO
Davante
'Zar
Tier 4
Vander
Cadougan
Markus
Theo
Elliott
Spots reserved for Symir & Dawosn
Sam would have been Tier 3 with a shot at Tier 2 this year but he's dead to me.
-
Responding to Earl Tatum:
John Glaser and Russ Wittberger were left out at the last minute. Instead of Russ I put in Rube Schultz and Terry Rand. I wanted to put in the best of the 53-54 team that was one game from the final 4. All of the others I saw personally except Gene Berce who I followed on radio and listened to my parents who were season ticket holders. Mangum and McCoy were good at times but not worth a seat on the all time best. McCoy never lived up to his brother's reputation. All of mine were pre-Al so that excludes some of the others. I would have put you (or your namesake)in their except for the note above. I spent a New Years Eve with the real Earl a long time ago. I was at Northwestern for the win over KY and the loss to Iowa which kept the 54 team from the final 4.
-
Top 5 from 09-10 until present (might as well start from freshman year)
Jimmy
Davante
Vander
Rowsey
Theo
Bonus 2 players who I thought had so much potential wanted to see so much more from
Jamil Wilson
JJJ
-
Dwyane Wade
Doc Rivers
Terry Reason
Jae Crowder
Markus Howard
Joe Nethen
Wesley Matthews
Jimmy Butler
Sam Worthen
Lloyd Walton
Artie Green
Maurice Lucas
Theo John
Anthony Pieper
-
Dwyane Wade
Doc Rivers
Terry Reason
Jae Crowder
Markus Howard
Joe Nethen
Wesley Matthews
Jimmy Butler
Sam Worthen
Lloyd Walton
Artie Green
Maurice Lucas
Theo John
Anthony Pieper
Finally, someone mentions the obvious GOAT - Artie Green!
-
How about Ron and John Glaser, Walt Mangham, Jim McCoy and Russ
Wittberger. Unheralds--Jackie Burke, Jeff Sewell, Bill Neary and
Gary Rosenberger.
Neary definitely should not be mentioned with that group.
-
I wish I had gotten more than one year of watching Tony Miller in person (and cannot believe he isn't mentioned more than once in this thread). For those I did get to see:
Hutch
Crawford
Travis
Novak
Cordell
Nnamaka
Scott Merritt
Todd Townsend
Wes
Lazar
Jon Harris
David Diggs for the GAS final
-
Slim
I did mention Artie because I consider the Hank era to be an extension of the Al era. Artie is hands down a top five favorite player to me. My list is based on entertainment value, not always talent. Artie was a one man highlight real.
-
Slim and Goose--glad you guys agree. Artie Green was so mistake prone, but damn, he was entertaining!
-
Slim
I did mention Artie because I consider the Hank era to be an extension of the Al era. Artie is hands down a top five favorite player to me. My list is based on entertainment value, not always talent. Artie was a one man highlight real.
Best leaper ever at MU.
-
Jockey
The Cloud Piercer had great leaps, as did Doc. But no one could jump off two feet like Artie
-
off the top of my head
sam worthen
robert byrd
michael wilson
doc rivers
wes matthews
bo Ellis
butch lee
artie green
marotta
terry reason
vic lazeretti (sp?)
jim boylan
travis diener
so many more
-
Hairy
Sam Worthen is high on my list as well. Marotta and Doc for personal reasons. Good list.
-
1. Damon Key
2. Travis Diener
3. Anthony Pieper
4. Doc Rivers
5. Dwayne Wade
-
Hairy
Sam Worthen is high on my list as well. Marotta and Doc for personal reasons. Good list.
not necessarily the best players just players i enjoyed or liked for variety of reasons. too many more to even list.
-
Hutch. FTW.
-
Another guy that while he may not have been a great player was Mandy Johnson, a steal machine and a very good player.
-
My favorite was Dean the Dream.
I'd fill out the roster with (INPO):
Chones
Wade
Ellis
Diener
Thompson
James
Howard
Hayward
Crowder
Novak
Lucas
Kojis
-
Mine are as follows:
1) Bob Lackey -- A very colorful Warrior with a nasty streak to him. Referred to himself in the third person. A major reason we "won" the South Carolina fight in the early 1970s. Typified not taking anything off anyone.
2) Maurice Lucas -- May have been the toughest Warrior ever. Period. Great ballplayer and from what my friends in Portland tell me, an incredible man as well.
3) DWade -- Probably the greatest Warrior of all time.
4) Butch Lee and Bo Ellis -- The backbone of our 1977 team. Bo gets a special mention because few have done as much for our post-Al program as Bo.
6) George Thompson -- He made Al. First great recruit Al ever corralled. For years our leading scorer and a genuinely great ballplayer. Mediocre radio commentator but a tremendous ballplayer who always will be special to us old timers.
7) Jim Chones -- Aaah, what could have been?
8) Jae Crowder -- Played with abandon. Was an Al Warrior during the time of the redneck.
9) Doc Rivers -- On my list for one thing: "The" shot against Notre Dame.
10) Jeral McNeal -- One of the amigos and incredibly underappreciated by many of us. One of the greats of all time.
-
Another guy that while he may not have been a great player was Mandy Johnson, a steal machine and a very good player.
One of the first guys I remember at Marquette along with Kerry Trotter
-
How about Ron and John Glaser, Walt Mangham, Jim McCoy and Russ
Wittberger. Unheralds--Jackie Burke, Jeff Sewell, Bill Neary and
Gary Rosenberger.
John Glaser? Message board hall of famer. Pass.
-
How about Ron and John Glaser, Walt Mangham, Jim McCoy and Russ
Wittberger. Unheralds--Jackie Burke, Jeff Sewell, Bill Neary and
Gary Rosenberger.
Huh???
Rosenberger was a great guy and, had he played today with the three point line, probably would have started. But a favorite? Uhhh......
Bill Neary.... I'm just going to let that one lay. He was different.
Jeff Sewell was an early recruit and a really good guy.
Of that era, top 5 favorites are:
Bob Lackey
Jim Chones
Maurice Lucas
Dean Memimger
Marcus Washington
Special mention: Larry McNeill's wife.
-
Wish pieper would have made the pros he seemed like he was the chosen one out of wisconsin watching him back in high school.
Amal was a very fun player to watch but he didnt hold up in the nba
-
Wade
Crowder(impacted the game in so many ways and tough as nails)
Butler
Diener
Novak
Worthen
Butch
Wes
Gardner
Markus
Lucas
Bo
Lazar( loved his fire and willingness to do whatever the team needed)
Ps Sam would have been on my list if he had finished his career here.
-
We had a thread on this back in May of 2011 and this is what I wrote then
My list (beginning with 79-80 season, my freshman year).
1. Damon Key - Overshadowed by McIlvaine for some reason but was the much better college player
2. Tony Miller - Tremendous competitor, small, couldn't shoot, but smartest player I have seen at MU
3. Lazar Hayward - Played out of position for 4 years, but just played and gave it everything he had
4. Michael Wilson - Forgotten guard from the early 80s, but could really play. Tough as nails and flattest jump shot in history that was still effective.
5. Dwyane Wade - If it was the best player, he'd be number 1
6. Aaron Hutchins - Probably the most fun MU guy to watch that I remember
7. Jimmy Butler - Quiet, did whatever needed to be done
8. Mandy Johnson - Unassuming glue guy for Hank Raymonds (I love unassuming glue guys)
9. Brian Wardle - Warrior
10. Steve Novak - Loved to watch him shoot
Honorable mentions (Group A) - Sam Worthen, Artie Green, Oliver Lee, Terry Reasons, Kerry Trotter, Anthony Pieper, Walter Downing, Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Travis Diener - Colorful characters with varying skill levels that helped make following MU fun and exciting.
Honorable mentions (Group B) - Robb Logterman, Ron Eford, Robert Byrd, Ron Curry, Trevor Powell, Amal McCaskill, Wes Matthews - unsung guys who get lost in time but who were good players who were overshadowed for various reasons during their careers.
Apologies to Tony Smith, who played in an era when I lived on the East Coast and MU was NEVER on TV, so I only saw him play a few times.
Since then, I'd add Jae Crowder to top 10, bumping Novak and would have added Markus, Andrew Rowsey, Davante Gardner and DJO to Group A. I would not add Sam Hauser even though he was my favorite player the last few years but can't get over his departure.
-
Dean the dream
Jim Chones
Maurice Lucas
Larry McNeill
Earl Tatum
Bo Ellis
Lloyd Walton
Dwayne Wade
Steve Novak
Butch Lee
Whitehead
Toone
Rivers
Tony Smith
Markus Howard
Pieper
Matthews
Butler
-
Need to see some more shout-outs for Amal. C’mon people.
The good news is we have many choices.
-
Whoever added Vic Lazaretti--YES!!
-
I’ll also preface with a post 2000s list
Wade
Markus
Vander
Jae
Novak
Diener
Jerel
D James
DJO
Jfb
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not having Markus on a list that includes Rowsey and Davante is very odd. Those two guys were fun to watch, but sometimes I feel like Markus Howard is the most disrespected MU player outside of Vander Blue since I became a fan.
Again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but.......
Don’t under appreciate what you’ve got MU friends
-
Running the @MUOverload twitter account, I can see the posts involving the 1993-94 team get the most views, likes, retweets out of anything. And it’s not even really close. People really love that team.
Is it just because it was the first success after a long stretch of bad?
-
Favourite? All the walk ons. Gotta love the kids who do all the work of the scholly players for no financial and the hope of seeing 4 minutes of court time a year. Huge contribution to the program with little recognition.
-
Bill Neary did all the dirty work for Al. Took charges, created space around the basket and scored like 1 pt. a game. Like an enforcer. One player completely forgotten was a 6-4 frontliner who could really sky named
Pat Smith. John Glaser played from 1958-1960.
-
Favourite? All the walk ons. Gotta love the kids who do all the work of the scholly players for no financial and the hope of seeing 4 minutes of court time a year. Huge contribution to the program with little recognition.
Huge contribution to the program? LOL Everybody cheers the walk ons. If anything, their "recognition" is too high.
-
Sam Worthen is high on my list as well. Marotta and Doc for personal reasons. Good list.
Ditto. Those were my guys from my time at MU. Michael Wilson and Robert Byrd, too. My friends and I used to call Worthen "God." (I wasn't an atheist yet, so that was a compliment - ha!) Of course loved Glenn, a great kid.
Too many faves over the years to list, though. I'd be listing a few dozen names ... and would worry I had forgotten to list some.
-
Dean "The Dream" Meminger, hands down.
Go Warriors!
-
Running the @MUOverload twitter account, I can see the posts involving the 1993-94 team get the most views, likes, retweets out of anything. And it’s not even really close. People really love that team.
Is it just because it was the first success after a long stretch of bad?
I think that's probably part of it. Also Twitter seems to be most popular with that generation (Gen X).
-
If you want to read what people thought on this topic in:
2007 - https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=2690
2012 - https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=30056
-
It was so much nicer on here back in the day!!
-
So much Diener love in 2007
-
I believe Terry Reason is the only player to run from the Clybourn Gym to the Arena for a game. That should count for something.
When I witnessed Terry steal the ball and go in for a 360* dunk in a close 6 point game......Then I knew. ;)
-
So much Diener love in 2007
Someone who also only made 2 NCAA appearances 🤔 I guess that's only held against Howard
-
Someone who also only made 2 NCAA appearances 🤔 I guess that's only held against Howard
There was that Final Four
-
And this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Diener
Travis Diener played for the Golden Eagles in the 2018 edition of The Basketball Tournament. In 5 games, he averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 assists, and shot 43 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles reached the semi-finals before falling to Overseas Elite. He rejoined the Marquette Alumni team for the "Championship Weekend" of the 2019 tournament—hitting two consecutive three pointers while wearing cowboy boots without socks to win in the semi-finals vs Team Heines while drunk on 12 cans of White Claw.
-
And this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Diener
Travis Diener played for the Golden Eagles in the 2018 edition of The Basketball Tournament. In 5 games, he averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 assists, and shot 43 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles reached the semi-finals before falling to Overseas Elite. He rejoined the Marquette Alumni team for the "Championship Weekend" of the 2019 tournament—hitting two consecutive three pointers while wearing cowboy boots without socks to win in the semi-finals vs Team Heines while drunk on 12 cans of White Claw.
Fake news. Travis drinks PBR or High Life.
-
Fake news. Travis drinks PBR or High Life.
And he only goes after freshmen girls.
-
Have not posted for a long time---I am an Mu fan since around 1960 so here goes my list
Meminger
George Thompson
Chones
Gary Brell
Mo Lucas
Pat Smith
Butch Lee
Brian Brunkhorst
Jerome Whitehead
Bo Ellis
Doc
Earl Tatum
-
Favorites that I've watched extensively would go back to when I enrolled in 2001. I watched Marquette passively before then, but didn't have the same passion as I did once I attended there.
1) Jae Crowder -- Was he the best player I saw? No, but no one played with more passion, more raw emotion, and more tenacity. He was one of the best players and put in a level of effort that no one else I've seen ever put forth.
2) Dwyane Wade -- He was such an immense talent and gave me so much pride in the program while I was going to school there. I remember thinking when we went to the Final Four that it could always be like that. Of course, it wasn't, but he made young me believe otherwise.
3) Markus Howard -- When he's on, he just makes it look so easy. He has that ability to make it clear that, at least in that moment, he is the best player in the country. He is such a uniquely gifted scorer. We shall never see his like again.
4) Travis Diener -- Need a bucket? He's got you. Need an assist? He's got you. Diener was such a complete offensive player, and played with so much spirit. It's a shame we missed the tourney his last two years, though we likely would've made it had he stayed healthy his senior year.
5) Wes Matthews -- For my money, always the best of the Amigos. Even as a freshman, he was the one who you just knew could translate it to the next level. Watching him develop the way he did was incredibly rewarding.
6) Sam Hauser -- It's hard to include the guy that left, but Sam was so smart out there, always made the right decision, and just got it from the first moment he stepped on the court. The kind of guy you trust completely. I think he's going to be fantastic at UVA.
7) Lazar Hayward -- One of the best collegiate players I've seen. All-around better than some of the names ahead of him in the sense that he did everything. He could be a complimentary scorer or take the game over himself, he was a great rebounder, and he could guard just about anyone despite being 6'5". That the 2010 team made the tourney is a testament to how well he carried that team.
8) Darius Johnson-Odom -- He was Markus before Markus. The guy who could hit shots from anywhere, get to the rim and to the line, drop 20 in a half, and do it all while flashing a grin. I know they were different players, but DJO had that same electric ability to get a bucket. He was also a game-changer for that 2010 team after the Amigos left. Of course, his shot against Syracuse also helped.
9) Vander Blue -- He wasn't what we expected early on, but developed into such a nice player. He always played tenacious defense and could lock guys down on the perimeter. He didn't score a ton early, but when he needed to as a junior, he took that mantle. I still wonder what might have been if he'd come back in 2014.
10) Jimmy Butler -- Hard to put him this low, but I always kind of felt he was in someone's shadow. Whether it was the Amigos as a sophomore, Lazar as a junior, or even Jae and his tenaciousness in his senior year (Jimmy was the leader, but Jae was clearly becoming "that guy"). Dude also had a crazy work ethic and ability to lock up his defensive assignment. Man, everyone was talking about how Tu Holloway was going to run all over us in 2011, then Jimmy just locked him up like Chinese finger cuffs.
Almost famous -- Robert Jackson, Davante Gardner, Dominic James, Steve Novak, Cordell Henry
-
I think we had a thread for maybe certain eras but I tried searching it and can’t find it. Who are your favorite all time Marquette players? My top 5 are:
1) Wade - pretty easy.
2) Jae - a true Warrior.
3) Diener - see Jae’s explanation.
4) Cordell Henry - loved the jersey tug after made 3 pointers.
5) Nnamaka - no idea why but I was pretty young and just loved his game.
Wes, Rowsey, Lazar, Robert Jackson, Novak, Hutchins, and Miller as honorable mentions for me.
Markus Howard.
-
Favorites that I've watched extensively would go back to when I enrolled in 2001. I watched Marquette passively before then, but didn't have the same passion as I did once I attended there.
1) Jae Crowder -- Was he the best player I saw? No, but no one played with more passion, more raw emotion, and more tenacity. He was one of the best players and put in a level of effort that no one else I've seen ever put forth.
2) Dwyane Wade -- He was such an immense talent and gave me so much pride in the program while I was going to school there. I remember thinking when we went to the Final Four that it could always be like that. Of course, it wasn't, but he made young me believe otherwise.
3) Markus Howard -- When he's on, he just makes it look so easy. He has that ability to make it clear that, at least in that moment, he is the best player in the country. He is such a uniquely gifted scorer. We shall never see his like again.
4) Travis Diener -- Need a bucket? He's got you. Need an assist? He's got you. Diener was such a complete offensive player, and played with so much spirit. It's a shame we missed the tourney his last two years, though we likely would've made it had he stayed healthy his senior year.
5) Wes Matthews -- For my money, always the best of the Amigos. Even as a freshman, he was the one who you just knew could translate it to the next level. Watching him develop the way he did was incredibly rewarding.
6) Sam Hauser -- It's hard to include the guy that left, but Sam was so smart out there, always made the right decision, and just got it from the first moment he stepped on the court. The kind of guy you trust completely. I think he's going to be fantastic at UVA.
7) Lazar Hayward -- One of the best collegiate players I've seen. All-around better than some of the names ahead of him in the sense that he did everything. He could be a complimentary scorer or take the game over himself, he was a great rebounder, and he could guard just about anyone despite being 6'5". That the 2010 team made the tourney is a testament to how well he carried that team.
8) Darius Johnson-Odom -- He was Markus before Markus. The guy who could hit shots from anywhere, get to the rim and to the line, drop 20 in a half, and do it all while flashing a grin. I know they were different players, but DJO had that same electric ability to get a bucket. He was also a game-changer for that 2010 team after the Amigos left. Of course, his shot against Syracuse also helped.
9) Vander Blue -- He wasn't what we expected early on, but developed into such a nice player. He always played tenacious defense and could lock guys down on the perimeter. He didn't score a ton early, but when he needed to as a junior, he took that mantle. I still wonder what might have been if he'd come back in 2014.
10) Jimmy Butler -- Hard to put him this low, but I always kind of felt he was in someone's shadow. Whether it was the Amigos as a sophomore, Lazar as a junior, or even Jae and his tenaciousness in his senior year (Jimmy was the leader, but Jae was clearly becoming "that guy"). Dude also had a crazy work ethic and ability to lock up his defensive assignment. Man, everyone was talking about how Tu Holloway was going to run all over us in 2011, then Jimmy just locked him up like Chinese finger cuffs.
Almost famous -- Robert Jackson, Davante Gardner, Dominic James, Steve Novak, Cordell Henry
Excellent summary, well said.
I agree with most things there but couldn’t help but notice and be surprised by two things-
1) Jerel McNeal not even being an honorable mention.
2) Novak being lower than expected.
I mentioned recently (before his Orlando outbursts) that I thought Markus would go down as the most underrated- or better phrased under respected- MU player since I became a fan in 2003. I included Vander Blue in the list but I failed to mention Jerel, I think he’s definitely on that list too.
That three amigos class was very fun and it always struck me that many people had a different view of the three guards and who was better or more valuable. I was in dental school I would always go to games in the three amigos era with two classmates and we each had one favorite- I loved Dom James (and Wes was my least favorite), my one buddy loved Jerel and my other buddy loved Wes. It’s unique to have three guys watching the same team all the time yet having a completely different viewpoint of who is the best of three guards on the same team.
As for Jerel, if I’m not mistaken he won BE defensive POY, which is extremely rare as a guard, and then broke the all time scoring record. He had a lot of huge clutch games as well. Remembering back I think many really disliked his “erratic” play as he was prone to turnovers (much like Markus can be) and many thought he wasn’t a fundamentally sound player. To that I’ll say that although some of it is true, when you have the ball in your hands a lot and much is expected you will have more of those mistakes that can look really bad.
As for Novak, dude just had the most pure shot I’ve ever seen and it wasn’t even close. I used to love watching the guy drain a shot, it was as automatic as you could ever imagine. Of course in the last few years we’ve seen some amazing pure shooters but it hasn’t always been the case
-
As for Jerel, if I’m not mistaken he won BE defensive POY, which is extremely rare as a guard, and then broke the all time scoring record. He had a lot of huge clutch games as well. Remembering back I think many really disliked his “erratic” play as he was prone to turnovers (much like Markus can be) and many thought he wasn’t a fundamentally sound player. To that I’ll say that although some of it is true, when you have the ball in your hands a lot and much is expected you will have more of those mistakes that can look really bad.
As for Novak, dude just had the most pure shot I’ve ever seen and it wasn’t even close. I used to love watching the guy drain a shot, it was as automatic as you could ever imagine. Of course in the last few years we’ve seen some amazing pure shooters but it hasn’t always been the case
Jerel was a good player, but I always felt like he was the clear third of the Amigos. He won DPOY, but was never close to the defender James was. I think it was that erratic nature, which was on both ends. His DPOY was because of his steal rate, and gambling for steals often took him out of position and hurt the team when he didn't force the turnover. If it was simply best college player, I would probably have to include him, but as far as favorite to watch, he just didn't get there for me.
I really liked Novak, but I think the 2 years of NIT hurt his case, and while he ended things well, he didn't have the kind of emotional drive of a player like Diener. I also think having guys like Howard, Rowsey, and Sam in recent years who were such excellent three point shooters have diminished some of that novelty for me. The game against UConn and the shot against Notre Dame will always resonate as favorite moments, but not enough to crack my top-10. Some of it may also be his size. Having a guy who is 6'10" but plays like a wing just doesn't have the same allure to me as more tenacious, undersized guys like Jae and 'Zar.
-
I like your list, brewski, and your whole post was very well written.
-
Jerel was a good player, but I always felt like he was the clear third of the Amigos. He won DPOY, but was never close to the defender James was. I think it was that erratic nature, which was on both ends. His DPOY was because of his steal rate, and gambling for steals often took him out of position and hurt the team when he didn't force the turnover. If it was simply best college player, I would probably have to include him, but as far as favorite to watch, he just didn't get there for me.
I really liked Novak, but I think the 2 years of NIT hurt his case, and while he ended things well, he didn't have the kind of emotional drive of a player like Diener. I also think having guys like Howard, Rowsey, and Sam in recent years who were such excellent three point shooters have diminished some of that novelty for me. The game against UConn and the shot against Notre Dame will always resonate as favorite moments, but not enough to crack my top-10. Some of it may also be his size. Having a guy who is 6'10" but plays like a wing just doesn't have the same allure to me as more tenacious, undersized guys like Jae and 'Zar.
You are 100% right about Jerel, but god damn his steals and fast breaks were fun to watch. Especially that USF game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kRaPtKUmc
-
You are 100% right about Jerel, but god damn his steals and fast breaks were fun to watch. Especially that USF game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4kRaPtKUmc
I forgot how pixelated life was back then
-
jefffla
Love your list, especially Brunkhorst being on there. Guy could sure make free throws.
-
All Marquette players have been my favorites. With that said, Tony Miller and Ousmane Barro are two examples of those I greatly enjoyed.
-
Different category...Not the "best" Marquette players...but some that were just fun to watch...
Ousmane Barro
Davante Gardner
DJO
-
Oluoma Nnamaka
-
Different category...Not the "best" Marquette players...but some that were just fun to watch...
Ousmane Barro
Davante Gardner
DJO
Jamal Cain
Mo Acker
Reinhardt
Rowsey
-
Jamal Cain
Mo Acker
Reinhardt
Rowsey
Good call on Mo Acker. Loved that guy