17. Marquette Golden Eagles
Previous ranking: 17
What happens at the point guard position? All-American Tyler Kolek is off to the NBA, and backup point guard Sean Jones is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last January. Shaka Smart could opt to move Kam Jones to the point guard spot; he's a big-time scorer and shooter, but he has shown playmaking ability. Stevie Mitchell could also handle the ball more often.
Projected starting lineup
Kam Jones (17.2 PPG)
Stevie Mitchell (8.8 PPG)
Chase Ross (6.1 PPG)
David Joplin (10.8 PPG)
Ben Gold (5.0 PPG)

This is where ESPN had MarquetteSeptember 2024
Replace irreplaceable Kam with Nigel.
Replace Awesome Stevie with Adrien.
Replace Super Jop with Royce.
Zaide and others off the bench.
Let the chips fall where they may this year.
Add Sheek others and Transfers next year.
Let the chips fall where they may.

Lane Kiffin to Michigan.

Quote from: Galway Eagle on December 10, 2025, 03:50:51 PMMarkus chose us over Indiana, Baylor, and Arizona. While not Duke MSU etc it seems worth mentioning.

Wojo always gets his man.

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 10, 2025, 03:46:30 PMSherone Moore fired at Michigan. Interesting timing...

Got to be something to this beyond on-field performance. Given that he was forced to play a totally unprepared true freshman QB, 9-3 with no bad losses is a pretty good outcome.

Update ... there's more to the story.

Quote from: Biggie Clausen on December 09, 2025, 09:57:33 PMTrue, although Henry and Joey already had brothers in the program at Marquette, so I'd argue they were special cases.  Then again, I forgot that Greg Elliott - at least according to some Scoopers - was Izzo's top target in that year's recruiting class, and possibly - again, according to some Scoopers at that time -  the most coveted recruit of Izzo's entire career.  That's just how it was in the Wojo era. 

Markus chose us over Indiana, Baylor, and Arizona. While not Duke MSU etc it seems worth mentioning.

Sherone Moore fired at Michigan. Interesting timing...

I have to roll with DoctorV.  I think tis team is getting better bit by bit.  I think if Jones is healthy the rest of the season they have enought in place, that if somebody,anybody, gets 5points or 4stops or 4rebounds per game more going forward I thhink there is a chance to be decent by the end of the season.  The board is sort of tough on Parham but I think he's coming around.  I like Stevens getting more minutes and I can see Philips getting some time.  This team as it is has some pieces but notput together coreectly yet.  Gold holds back my optimism.  I have given up on him ever being more than he is.  The team needs some attitude. 

As a result of the refusal of both of these key roster-building principles in the age of NIL, this Marquette team.  It is one thing to stand on your principles, but when everyone else is playing within the rules and building a roster through the transfer portal, it's going to be either adapt or lose your job.  If coach Smart doesn't start using the portal, Marquette might turn into DePaul, and then coach Smart will be out of a job, like it or not. This is how the game is building rosters.[/i]

https://bustingbrackets.com/shaka-smart-and-potential-tournament-in-dubai-lead-the-week-of-bad-beats-basketball
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Agree Dislike NIL but it is a reality

Quote from: MU82 on December 10, 2025, 01:21:35 PM25-basis-point cut by the Fed.

And the market loves it! (today)

Quote from: MU82 on December 10, 2025, 02:39:44 PMWe won't.

I hope you're correct.  But you keep saying things you think/hope will happen as if it's fact.  Most years you'd 100% be correct. This year MU and DePaul are much closer in basketball skill than those years.