10 biggest JUCO success stories of the past decade

[MU Buff]

It's bleacher report but a lot of Marquette mentions, including No. 1

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1652326-ranking-the-10-biggest-ncaa-basketball-juco-success-stories-of-the-past-decade

No. 7: Darius Johnson-Odom

Between past Big East Player of the Year recipient Jae Crowder, Jimmy Butler and Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette has done nicely for itself in the junior-college department in the past few years.

Johnson-Odom began his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College, where he put up dominant numbers on his way to a spot on the NJCAA All-American First Team. His impressive stats caught the eye of Marquette, where he ended up for the rest of his collegiate career.

The highlight of Johnson-Odom's Golden Eagle tenure from an individual standpoint was when he was given a spot on the All-Big East first team alongside teammate Crowder. That was Johnson-Odom's final collegiate season, and he averaged 18.3 points a night for Buzz Williams.

That dynamic duo was the primary reason why Marquette was a participant in the Sweet 16 that year. Johnson-Odom averaged 15.7 points in three seasons at Marquette and proved that he was capable of putting up numbers against elite competition, not just at the JuCo level.

No. 3: Jae Crowder

It's not every day that a player who started his collegiate career at Howard College ends up taking home the Big East Player of the Year award in his final season.

That is exactly what happened with Jae Crowder, who helped Howard to its first ever national title in men's basketball in his only year on the JUCO circuit. He was also awarded with the NJCAA Player of the Year honor.

Crowder then transferred to Marquette, where he played two seasons. In his final year as a Golden Eagle, he won the conference's MVP award behind 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals and one block a night.

Marquette went to the Sweet 16 in both of Crowder's seasons as well. He is now trying to establish himself in the NBA after an up-and-down rookie campaign for the Dallas Mavericks.

No. 1: Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler became a household name this year during the NBA playoffs for his relentless defense on LeBron James and pure will in the face of all the adversity the Chicago Bulls faced in the postseason.

However, there was a time when he was not heavily recruited out of high school and was forced to attend Tyler Junior College in Texas. One season later he transferred to Marquette and was on his way to becoming a defensive staple for one of the NBA's most storied franchises.

Butler played three years for the Golden Eagles and averaged nearly 16 points a night in his final campaign. He was also a defensive force and helped Marquette on the boards despite his shooting guard and small forward position in the box score.

Butler's squads made the NCAA tournament in all three of his seasons at Marquette, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in his final year. His pure determination that is evident even today when he takes the floor undoubtedly helped him turn his modest JUCO start to an impressive success story.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Gimme the best JUCO player Buzz can find every year and I'm a happy camper.  Glad we seem to have a recruiting market somewhat cornered.  HUGE plus (near necessity) when you're not one of the blue bloods.

[keefe]

Gimme the best JUCO player Buzz can find every year and I'm a happy camper.  Glad we seem to have a recruiting market somewhat cornered.  HUGE plus (near necessity) when you're not one of the blue bloods.

I have always flinched at the mention of Blue Blood. During Al's tenure Marquette was one of the top 3 programs in the country. When people mention Arizona or Duke, for instance, it should be noted that success is really limited to the work of a single coach. I would dare say the same for Indiana. It is not unreasonable to suggest that we could return to the uppermost tier of programs under Buzz. We are certainly on that trajectory.

[Bricky]

He may have only played 11 games, but Trevor Mbakwe was a Marquette mention – granted he made the list because he transferred out of Marquette.

[77ncaachamps]

Gimme the best JUCO player Buzz can find every year and I'm a happy camper.  Glad we seem to have a recruiting market somewhat cornered.  HUGE plus (near necessity) when you're not one of the blue bloods.

THIS.

[Galway Eagle]

I have always flinched at the mention of Blue Blood. During Al's tenure Marquette was one of the top 3 programs in the country. When people mention Arizona or Duke, for instance, it should be noted that success is really limited to the work of a single coach. I would dare say the same for Indiana. It is not unreasonable to suggest that we could return to the uppermost tier of programs under Buzz. We are certainly on that trajectory.

Umm Duke went to the FF 3 times under Vic bubas I'd say they were successful with more than one coach.  Zona had lute Olsen but Sean miller has gotten them some good success as well

[tower912]

Not a hint of squirmage. 

[LloydMooresLegs]

Unless the author is including the players' brief professional careers in his analysis, I don't know how you rate Jimmy ahead of Big East POY Jae.