ESPN Lapinski on MARQ (let's keep taking those hits away from ESPN)

[CAGASS24]

Marquette's most pivotal player?

April, 17, 2013
Apr 17

3:01

PM ET

By Luke Lapinski | ESPN.com
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The 2012-13 campaign once again reminded us all to never count out a team coached by Buzz Williams. Marquette was solid throughout the entire year, yet still flew a little below the radar before ousting the likes of Butler and Miami to advance to the Elite Eight.

That marks the third consecutive season that the Golden Eagles have made it to at least the Sweet 16, and next year's club figures to be just as strong as ever. Our own Jay Bilas notes Williams' ability to seamlessly transition new players in without missing a beat in his early Bilas Index for 2013-14. With Vander Blue opting to leave early and a new point guard working his way into the lineup next year, that ability figures to come in handy. Still, many of the other key contributors from this year's run should be back, including Jamil Wilson and Davante Gardner. Plus, a trio of ESPN 100 recruits leads the nation's No. 11 incoming class for 2013.

Of all those players, Gardner might be the most integral. No one else on the roster possesses his size (6-foot-8, 290 pounds). And while Marquette has plenty of potentially strong options all over the floor -- especially around the perimeter -- he is clearly the main threat inside. Ken Pomeroy sees him as a possible All-American and, if that proves to be the case, the Eagles should be in great shape yet again.

[willie warrior]

Hmmmm....

[MerrittsMustache]

"Davante Gardner....All-American...in great shape."

Direct quote from Luke Lapinski.

[MUFlutieEffect]

Wait, you mean the whole season isn't thrown out the window?  But we lost Vander...

[willie warrior]

Just curious...has there ever been an All American that could not make the team's starting line-up?

[jesmu84]

Just curious...has there ever been an All American that could not make the team's starting line-up?

Does it really matter as long as he plays starter's minutes and has a starter's stat line?

[MU72491]

was Dion Waiters from Cuse an All-American?

[Archies Bat]

Swen Nater was a first round NBA and ABA pick, was ABA rookie of the year in 1974, and never started a collegiate game.  He backed up Bill Walton at UCLA.

I'm not sure you will get closer.

[willie warrior]

Swn Nater was a first round NBA and ABA pick, was ABA rookie of the year in 1974, and never started a collegiate game.  He backed up Bill Walton at UCLA.

I'm not sure you will get closer.

Swen Nater, good call. Doubt if he was an All American, but he was 7 feet.

[GoldenZebra]

was Dion Waiters from Cuse an All-American?

he was a jordan brand AA, but not on an all-american team like end of the year and stuff.