Next Year

[Rockmic87]

I know this is really early, but I can't help think about how good MU will be if the big 3 stays with the incoming recruitment class. We would definately be favorites for the BE and DJ would definately be a candidate for POY for the BE. I think that with the 1 year of experience of hayward and cubillan, and barro along with fitzgerald and the incoming recriuting class, this team will make alot of noise!

I just hope TC will be able to attract more big time recruits now, as MU emerges as one of the better BE teams!

[Rocco]

I agree.  If James stays, and MU makes some noise in the tournament, say elite 8 they will be a preseason top 5 next year.  With most of the guys from Florida, Ohio State and UNC probably going pro after this season, I would think MU could even be as high as #2 in next years preseason poll!

[spiral97]

if MU enjoys that success this year, and james does go pro, I have a feeling MU will be highly regarding going into next season and will live up to those expectations.  I am excited for the future of Marquette basketball.  So much that I feel confident in just sitting back and enjoying one season at a time.

[ozmetal71]

I am concentrating on enjoying this year, and the fact that we have a realisitic chance of winning the Big East conference, which would stack up as one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of MU basketball in my mind.

Things have come a long way from my freshman year in 99-00 when we struggled to beat teams like SLU or score more than 65 points.

We have a real shot to go 7-2 or 6-3 at least with the rest of our conference schedule.  The team seems to be learning and improving with each game, which is an extremely encouraging sign.

Next year is next year.  I am fully confident in the long-term direction of the program and we should be a contender in the Big East for years to come.  If DJ stays, we will be a legitimate national title contender, if he leaves we will still be a very good team with a chance to make a deep NCAA run.

[Tigidal]

I think a lot of people here are overestimating James' potential to go pro next year.  Don't get me wrong, on his current track he'll end up there and he has made great strides since his stock dropped a bit early in the season, but he still has a lot to prove.

[WashDCWarrior]

Beginning last year, I began to realize that Marquette is building a top ten program in the country, not just a fortunate string of good teams.  One thing that comes with being a top ten program is the quicker rate of player turnover.  During the coming years, more of our stars will play 1-3 years of college ball (i.e. Wade and James) as opposed to 4 years. (i.e. Diener and Novak)  Our recruiting needs to grow to the level where we can replace 1st round NBA draft picks every year or other year.  It's made big strides so far, but work remains.

For example a school like UConn, who lost something ridiculous like 6 players to the NBA last year, currently sits at 13-6 (2-4) and is a bubble NCAA team this year.  I expect them to make it.  This speaks highly of their recruiting and entire program that they can replace and grow talent in such a short time.

DJ may stay another year or he may go pro, but either way we've assembled enough pieces where the PROGRAM won't take a hit even if the TEAM takes a little time to figure out how to play without him.  Crean and Cords deserve congratulations for putting the program in a position where I can write this post.  Even in 2003, I couldn't have.

[Big Papi]

If DJ stays we could have just as much success as UW-Madison has had this year with a realistic chance of being one of the 6 or 7 teams that are mentioned as preseason favorites for the championship.  Definitely top 10 team with very good potential to be ranked in the top 3 to 5 during the year.

However I really do believe DJ is gone.  His stock might have dropped in some MU fans point of views but I don't think his stock dropped much at all in the NBA scouts eyes and those are the ones that matter.  Very good chance he is the first PG taken in the draft and definite first rounder and I can't fault him for leaving for a guaranteed million dollar contract (top 19 get over $1,000,000 per year, last 1st round player drafted gets a minimum of $1.5 over 2 years).   

[RawdogDX]

I think a lot of people here are overestimating James' potential to go pro next year.  Don't get me wrong, on his current track he'll end up there and he has made great strides since his stock dropped a bit early in the season, but he still has a lot to prove.

Here's the problem with what you are saying.  That's not the way NBA gm's think.  You are telling me a team has the 20th pick and need a pg and james falls to them and some GM won't take him becaus he could use another year?  Come on, the NBA is all about potential, he'll be a first rounder and be able to start sending his improvished family cash.  Put yourself in his shoes, he's gone.  Also keep in mind that we watch every move he makes and scrutinize it.  Scouts aren't doing that.

BUT I don't think that will be that bad.  I think we'll be a better team next year with or without him.  We have two pg's who can play at a high level next year.  And an additional year of experience for everyone.  PLUS Barro is going to be 2nd team all big east next year.

[tonyreeder]

what Rawdog says.

Can he improve his game if he stays-yep.   Could he marginally help his draft stock-maybe.  Could he hurt his draft stock-yep.   Could he blow out a knee -yep.    If he thinks he'll be a first round pick-it will be very hard to come back.
NBA scouts are drafting European guys who they know won't come over here to play for 2 or 3 years and before the rules changed they drafting high schoolers who they knew wouldn't contribute right away

[WashDCWarrior]

If DJ does elect to stay, he can take out an insurance policy against injury.  I'm sure it's expensive, but it won't be bad assuming he has a decent NBA career.

Willis McGahee did a similar think before blowing out his ACL is the title game against OSU a few years ago.

[RawdogDX]

If DJ does elect to stay, he can take out an insurance policy against injury.  I'm sure it's expensive, but it won't be bad assuming he has a decent NBA career.

Willis McGahee did a similar think before blowing out his ACL is the title game against OSU a few years ago.

Yes he could.  Where is he getting the cash for this?  Put yourself in his place: you are from a poor family.  You have the ability to make millions for them.  Would you do it, or would you wait a year cause you might end up making an extra half mill a year if you do?

In the nfl the diference between getting picked 10th and 25th is worth tens of millions of dollars.  In the NBA, not so much.  And that's what you are saying, Right?  He should spend another year in school hoping it will move him from getting picked around 25 to 10th.  Not something I see him agreeing with, and i think he's right.

[WashDCWarrior]

Just saying it is an option, not that he should do it or that I would do it if I were him.

Regarding getting the money, if I were a bank and he came to me looking for a loan to take out the insurrance policy, I'm sure something would be arranged.

[Warriors Forever]

one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of MU basketball in my mind.

That is lol funny. I agree I would rank a BE conference win as a significant accomplishment in the history of MU BB "in my mind" ;-) Being one of the greatest.... That is tough after hearing about the 77 championship from my pops and then witnessing the final four in person in '03......

[AlumKCof93]

DJ will go to the NBA if the scouts determine that his athleticism overcome his lack of size.  It will have less to do with how much more he could possibly develop next year. Scouts won't make a final determination in James until the end of the year. The other major influence on his decision will be how many enter the draft this year and the consensus is that the draft will be stocked this year.  James will make a wise decision to enter the draft this year if its determined that he will definitely go in the first round.  If not, he should stick around next year.

[MarquetteVol]

A BE Championship would be right up there with 74, 77, and 03. It's a statement.

You can tell since the Final Four that Crean is hungrier to win than ever. And, I bet it has a lot to do with the people that attributed his success only to Wade. The best part is he's assembled a group of guys who have that passion, too.