2009 projected lineup vs 2006

[DaCoach]

If we compare 2009 to 2006, our situation seems much better regards returning players. If that is true, it probably makes sense to try and milk 5 mpg out of Fulce rather than redshirt him. I believe the trio of Cadougan, Maymon and Williams will probably equal the contribution of the 3 Amigos. Hayward returns to balance out Novak and the combo of Butler, Otule and Hazel should give us similar production as Barro, Chapman and Fitzgerald.

Our bonus offers us potential additional contributions from Roseboro, McMorrow, Buycks, Fulce and possibly Riley and/or Wilson or others. Overall we should see a much more balanced squad. I'd guess that Buzz will be playing more zone with all the newcomers.

[bilsu]

I have not taken the time to look at who the other teams are losing, but given that there is a high amount of returning players this year I would think several Big East teams will have major personnel losses. If that is the case then MU will have an easier time surviving next year.

[esotericmindguy]

Interesting, but wasn't Novak on that team?  Thats a big big difference.

[ToddPacker]

Interesting, but wasn't Novak on that team?  Thats a big big difference.

Yes, the original poster noted that Hayward would fill the role that Novak had on that particular team.

[WashDCWarrior]

I was thinking the same thing the other day. A lot depends on the other Big East teams, but I don't see us falling into the bottom half of the conference next year.

[Chili]

Lazar is no Steve Novak. Steve could strech a defense like no player in college basketball. Lazar is not that good. Now Lazar does things much better than Steve, but those are no where near as good as Steve was as a shooter.

[Hards Alumni]

If we compare 2009 to 2006, our situation seems much better regards returning players. If that is true, it probably makes sense to try and milk 5 mpg out of Fulce rather than redshirt him. I believe the trio of Cadougan, Maymon and Williams will probably equal the contribution of the 3 Amigos. Hayward returns to balance out Novak and the combo of Butler, Otule and Hazel should give us similar production as Barro, Chapman and Fitzgerald.

Our bonus offers us potential additional contributions from Roseboro, McMorrow, Buycks, Fulce and possibly Riley and/or Wilson or others. Overall we should see a much more balanced squad. I'd guess that Buzz will be playing more zone with all the newcomers.

And I believe you are crazy.

You can honestly say with a straight face that 3 Freshmen are going to come in and replace one of the top backcourts +1 in the nation (who are all seniors, mind you), and there will be NO dropoff?

asinine, my friend.

[IAmMarquette]

And I believe you are crazy.

You can honestly say with a straight face that 3 Freshmen are going to come in and replace one of the top backcourts +1 in the nation (who are all seniors, mind you), and there will be NO dropoff?

asinine, my friend.

I think what he's trying to say is that the incoming freshman, as freshman, will match the contributions of the 3 Amigos, as freshman.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I completely disagree actually.

I do like the talent that MU is bringing in, and I'm hopeful and optimistic.

However, you have to remember that in 2006, MU brought in 3 of the better/best players in school history and still had Novak, who also is one of the better players in school history.

Now, I realize MU's incoming recruits are highly rated (I think higher than james, mcneal, matthews), but it is rare when every player comes in and exceeds expectations (which I think each of the big 3 have).

Jerel wasn't the #1 SG in the country when he was brought in... but even as a frosh, he was one of the better shooting guards in the country. James wasn't the best PG in the country when he came in, but after his Frosh year, some people thought he would be 1st or 2nd team AA.

Like I said, I'm certainly hopeful for next year... (Buzz certainly signed some talented guys)  but I'm also trying to realize that "the big 3" or the "3 amigos" or whatever you want to call them were a pretty rare occurrence.

MU certainly could be very good (albeit young) next season, but the success might depend upon the development of guys like Liam, Chris O. and Jimmy B. I don't think any of those guys are necessarily more talented than the incoming players... but MU's strength next year might be depth, not necessarily skill.

MU might look more like Tennessee (sans headbands), bringing in lots of athletes and having good depth on the bench.

[Kramerica]

MU might look more like Tennessee (sans headbands), bringing in lots of athletes and having good depth on the bench.

Its funny, when I was watching the Tennessee game, I thought pretty much the exact same thing about what our team might look like next year.  Not a bad place to head if you ask me.  As great as this season has the potential to be, I'm a little tired of being undersized. 

[MarquetteDano]

I know it is way early at this point to start making predictions, but we really need to tone down our expections of the 2009-10 squad.  You will be starting one to two seniors and many freshmen and sophs will be counted on.  Further, even some of the juniors will be light on experience.

As mentioned above, I don't think you can compare McNeal, James, and Matthews to our incoming class.  James and McNeal will probably end up 1-2 ALL TIME for Marquette in scoring.

I think we will struggle early and it will definitely cost us the NCAA.  I think a realistic expectation next year is the NIT, perhaps 8-10 in the Big East.  If we get lucky perhaps a nice NIT run since the young players will have the experience by then.

I think the off-season will help us gauge more.  How the incoming players look, what we hear from their indiviudal workouts, etc..  Right now though, I would be happy with the NIT and 7 to 8 wins in the BEAST for next year.

[77fan88warrior]

I think Cadougan's play will be the biggest question. Dom stepped in and was a great point guard. Cadougan could step in like Dom or play like a typical freshmen.

Dom's play allowed Novak to blossom his senior year. Don't forget how bad Novak looked the year before when Diener went down. I was hoping for an exciting season when the big three came in but was pleasantly surprised how well they played with Novak. Next year's freshman will have to play good defense, control the ball  and be unselfish if they even want to approach the big 3's freshman year.

[DaCoach]

And I believe you are crazy.

You can honestly say with a straight face that 3 Freshmen are going to come in and replace one of the top backcourts +1 in the nation (who are all seniors, mind you), and there will be NO dropoff?

asinine, my friend.

It might be wise to read the subject of the comment Re: 2009 projected lineup vs 2006 before flying off the handle. I never claimed that the 2009 team would compete with the 2008 team. Now that would be asinine, my friend.

[Badgerhater920]

While it's too hard to say at this point if the '09 team can be as successful as the '06 team, I have to say I'm more excited about this class than that Freshman class, just because of the overall size and athleticism we have coming in. I can't remember the last time we had 2 recruits - Williams and Maymon - with such size combined with athleticism.