ESPN Insider Article: Early Ws earn respect for unheralded teams

[Ant]

http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/ncbexperts/id/7326422/cbb-marquette-georgetown-harvard-taking-respect-early-wins

Here is the blurb about MU for those without insider

As the season began, it was easy to pinpoint a few teams who were clearly deserving of respect. Teams like Ohio State, North Carolina, Kentucky all flaunted top-tier rosters that served as neon marquees, announcing their status as prime time contenders. But that's not the case with all college teams, and now, with most at least eight games into the season, some previously unheralded squads are grabbing the spotlight by claiming some noteworthy wins.

Here's a look at some of the top wave-makers of the early season and whether or not they can continue their winning ways into the spring.


Marquette Golden Eagles

I have said many times since Buzz Williams became the head coach at Marquette that some may play as hard but no one plays harder than the Golden Eagles. This team rarely looks past the next possession of a game and treats each and every one like it's the most important of the season. It has been the key to their success, in my opinion, and the reason they are off to another strong start.

Darius Johnson-Odom is still one of the best and most underrated guards in college basketball and Jae Crowder -- whose clutch 3-pointer won Tuesday night's tilt against Washington -- is a quality inside-outside forward who has many of the same characteristics that NBA first-round selections, Lazar Hayward and Jimmy Butler possess. And, Williams' early season schedule has allowed him to grow his depth as 10 players are contributing in 11 minutes of playing time or more. Junior Cadougan has been a more consistent playmaker as a junior, although he missed Marquette's win at in-state rival Wisconsin because a violation of team rules.

In Buzz Williams' first couple of seasons, Marquette's spot in the top half of the 16-team Big East seemed to surprise many. That's no longer the case. If there is buzz about Buzz's team, it that they are very good again and don't seem to be going anywhere.