[Matt Velazquez] Golden Eagles Alumni on track for automatic TBT berth

[MattVelazquez]

Golden Eagles Alumni on track for automatic TBT berth

Voting for The Basketball Tournament ended this morning and a squad of Marquette basketball alums is on track to be included in the Midwest regional of the $2 million winner-take-all tournament in Chicago on July 16-17.

Source: Golden Eagles Alumni on track for automatic TBT berth

[Tugg Speedman]

The Golden Eagles Alumni have been organized by Daniel Fitzgerald and include two coaches and eight players. View the roster here or below:

Coaches
Travis Diener
Wesley Matthews

Players
Maurice Acker
Dwight Burke
Joe Chapman
Davante' Gardner
Darius Johnson-Odom
Trent Lockett
Jerel McNeal
Jamil Wilson

----------------------------

Which is a better team ... the alumni team above or the 2016/2017 MU squad?

[brewcity77]

Which is a better team ... the alumni team above or the 2016/2017 MU squad?

I'd guess the TBT team and I doubt it's even close. There are two guys who had NBA contracts, two that were D League players, and all were professionals. Senior year McNeal, DJO, Gardner, Jamil, and likely Lockett and Acker would all start, and they are all likely much better now as fully grown men and professionals. I think the TBT team would probably run our current squad out of the gym, and I'm not sure many teams in the country would compete with them.

I would guess a starting five of Acker, McNeal, DJO, Wilson, and Gardner. Would anyone on our current team have a shot at cracking that lineup?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I'd guess the TBT team and I doubt it's even close. There are two guys who had NBA contracts, two that were D League players, and all were professionals. Senior year McNeal, DJO, Gardner, Jamil, and likely Lockett and Acker would all start, and they are all likely much better now as fully grown men and professionals. I think the TBT team would probably run our current squad out of the gym, and I'm not sure many teams in the country would compete with them.

I would guess a starting five of Acker, McNeal, DJO, Wilson, and Gardner. Would anyone on our current team have a shot at cracking that lineup?

Maybe Luke just from a defensive standpoint and maybe Haanif by his senior year but definitely not this year. FWIW, I think DJO runs the point and Lockett starts instead of Acker.

[brewcity77]

Maybe Luke just from a defensive standpoint and maybe Haanif by his senior year but definitely not this year. FWIW, I think DJO runs the point and Lockett starts instead of Acker.

I think a lot of people forget how good Acker was. He could pass and drill threes, pretty much exactly what this team would need at the point. Especially as Lockett could probably come off the bench at 4 positions (if we went small).

[Herman Cain]

The Golden Eagles Alumni have been organized by Daniel Fitzgerald and include two coaches and eight players. View the roster here or below:

Coaches
Travis Diener
Wesley Matthews

Players
Maurice Acker
Dwight Burke
Joe Chapman
Davante' Gardner
Darius Johnson-Odom
Trent Lockett
Jerel McNeal
Jamil Wilson

----------------------------

Which is a better team ... the alumni team above or the 2016/2017 MU squad?

I think the TBT would be a very strong team and the current team would be hard pressed to beat them. DJO was one of my favorite players in recent history and would be a very difficult match up for the current squad.

Will be interesting to see how this TBT team fares in the tournament.   It seems like an ideal situation for Davante to do his thing and I imagine him being a force.

[jficke13]

I think a lot of people forget how good Acker was. He could pass and drill threes, pretty much exactly what this team would need at the point. Especially as Lockett could probably come off the bench at 4 positions (if we went small).

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Acker. He was my partner in the freshman year comm class that required us to give speeches to our discussion section.

I'll also always remember that my 5'9" frame had him by a few inches.

[#UnleashSean]

I don't think there is a college team is the country that could beat these guys. Remember they are all much better then in their college days.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't think there is a college team is the country that could beat these guys. Remember they are all much better then in their college days.

Exactly, people forget that provided they keep playing, players actually improve once they leave college.

[Knight Commission]

Surprised Dom, Vander and Buycks aren't on the squad.

[jsglow]

I wouldn't imagine Vander or Buycks wanting to jeopardize summer league.

[warriorchick]

Glow and I both made the $1,000 bracket for fans.

That would pay for a nice little vacay.....

ETA:  Hellz yeah, I just moved into the $4,000 bracket!

[#UnleashSean]

Surprised Dom, Vander and Buycks aren't on the squad.

Dom is no longer playing basketball to my knowledge. Vander and buycks have legitimate nba chances.

[warriorchick]

So are we allowed to poach guys from teams that didn't make it?  I see some pretty decent players out there.

[77ncaachamps]

The Golden Eagles Alumni have been organized by Daniel Fitzgerald and include two coaches and eight players. View the roster here or below:

Coaches
Travis Diener
Wesley Matthews

Players
Maurice Acker
Dwight Burke
Joe Chapman
Davante' Gardner
Darius Johnson-Odom
Trent Lockett
Jerel McNeal
Jamil Wilson

----------------------------

Which is a better team ... the alumni team above or the 2016/2017 2015-16 MU squad?

FIFY

[cheebs09]

Dom is no longer playing basketball to my knowledge. Vander and buycks have legitimate nba chances.

I thought I saw that he returned to playing. He took a hiatus after getting married and his balloon business.

[77ncaachamps]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I appreciate Trent Lockett playing with MU.
He only spent one season here.

He could have played with an ASU team.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but I appreciate Trent Lockett playing with MU.
He only spent one season here.

He could have played with an ASU team.

His senior day speech was by far the most moving of all the ones from the 4 years I was there.

[Brewtown Andy]

I thought I saw that he returned to playing. He took a hiatus after getting married and his balloon business.

In Qatar, of all places.

[jsglow]

Glow and I both made the $1,000 bracket for fans.

That would pay for a nice little vacay.....

ETA:  Hellz yeah, I just moved into the $4,000 bracket!

Maui?

[mubb3434]

Looks like I'm set to win $4,000!

[warriorchick]

Maui?

Yep!  Looks like it may be turkey TV dinners for Chick jr. and Glow jr. for Thanksgiving!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yep!  Looks like it may be turkey TV dinners for Chick jr. and Glow jr. for Thanksgiving!

SWA doesn't fly to Hawaii.  Better double down.

[warriorchick]

SWA doesn't fly to Hawaii.  Better double down.

Not yet....

[Windyplayer]

Exactly, people forget that provided they keep playing, players actually improve once they leave college.

Yeah, while riding the pine for 2-3 years (cough, cough, Henry)