Markus

[MU82]

If Tre Jones and Ashton Hagans(true PG's) are staying in school, Markus would be wise to follow their lead. Tre and Ashton are both much better defenders, bigger, and true PG's. Tre at one point was projected to be a first round pick. Neither are even getting evaluations.

Jones and Hagans do nothing at an elite level. And both are horrible at the one skill that every NBA team values -- a skill that Markus does at an elite level.

So it's apples and oranges.

But as I said earlier, I agree with you that Markus faces a tough road to the NBA.

I think he'll come back, but I don't know. Neither does anybody else, because none of us knows what Markus values most right now.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If Tre Jones and Ashton Hagans(true PG's) are staying in school, Markus would be wise to follow their lead. Tre and Ashton are both much better defenders, bigger, and true PG's. Tre at one point was projected to be a first round pick. Neither are even getting evaluations.

Those two staying could actually be an argument for Markus going. Two less PGs ahead of him on the draft board this year and two more on the draft board next year.

I would be surprised if Markus left and think it's at best 50/50 he gets drafted at all of he does go. But it's possible that he may believe that his draft prospects aren't going to improve if he stays another year. If that's the case he may not see the point in delaying the inevitable. We assume Markus loves being at Marquette but maybe he's ready for the next challenge. I loved my Marquette experience but there were definitely moments where I was anxious to get on to the next chapter of my life

[The Sultan]

I will also point out that, if Markus knows that he has to improve his point skills to make it in the NBA, and if he decides to stay, that he undoubtedly has had conversations with Wojo about his role next year.  Which means he will be primarily playing point guard like this year.

[Nukem2]

I will also point out that, if Markus knows that he has to improve his point skills to make it in the NBA, and if he decides to stay, that he undoubtedly has had conversations with Wojo about his role next year.  Which means he will be primarily playing point guard like this year.

Yeah, it's hard to see how that would change if he stays. 

[BM1090]

Yeah, it's hard to see how that would change if he stays.

Agreed. Assume he would share PG duties with Koby at a minimum. 25 minutes at PG, 10 off the ball.

[GooooMarquette]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but with his NBA prospects being fuzzy at best, I think there's something to be gained by being able to tell his kids and grandkids about being MU's all-time leading scorer. And that record that could stand for quite some time in this era of the "best" players leaving early.

Different story if he is a sure first rounder or even a sure draft pick...but he could very well end up choosing between $35K in the G-league and MU immortality.

[BM1090]

Yep. If it were me I'd want to establish my legacy at MU as one of the best ever. But not everyone has the same motivation.

[burger]

If Markus goes.....

One of the considerations he must have is injury given the total disregard in calls he gets from the officials in the Big East......

You have a bunch of thug forwards slamming him to the ground any time they get the chance and he gets maybe 50% of the calls.....

What would you do.....

The Big East has no one to blame but themselves for losing this "star" a year early if true.....

[Marcus92]

Consider the players KenPom considers the best comps for Markus, based on how he played during his junior season:

Sean Singletary
Listed at 6-0/185, he played 4 years at Virginia on his way to scoring 2,000 career points. Drafted in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 2008 NBA draft. Spent a season with the Suns and Bobcats, then several D-League and European teams before retiring in 2014.

Sherron Collins
Listed at 5-11/205, he played 4 years at Kansas -- being named a 3rd-team AP All American as a junior, and 2nd-team AP All American as a senior. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Spent part of his first season as a pro on the Bobcats roster, then with several D-League and European teams.

Denis Clemente
Listed at 6-1/175, he played 2 years at Miami and 2 years at Kansas State. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Played in the NBA Summer League with the Charlotte Bobcats, but was cut before training camp. Currently playing in Europe.

Aaron Holiday
Listed at 6-1/185, he played 3 years at UCLA. Selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft with the 23rd overall pick. Still on the Pacers roster.

Obviously, none of these is a perfect match. They're all different players -- all of them except Collins have a slight height advantage over Markus, Singletary has a higher assist rate and was more of a ballhawk on the defensive end, but none of them can match Markus for shooting and scoring (he has both the highest 3P% and FTRate of the bunch).

That said, I think the comps do give you a rough idea of where Markus stands.

Three of the four comps played all four years in college. That much seems like a good bet. So what happens if he comes back? Best case: he continues to improve as a playmaker and defender and an NBA team selects him late in the first round. Worst case: Markus goes undrafted, either making an NBA roster as a free agent or opting to go to the D-League or Europe.

[Loose Cannon]

shooters, yes, but shooters taller than Marcus.

Of the current top 30 for three point percentage this season, only four are shorter than 6-3: Seth Curry (6-2), Quinn Cook (6-2), Collin Sexton (6-2) and DJ Augustin (6-0). Marcus is listed at 5-11 but I doubt that's accurate.

Well that sure looks Daunting for Markus, but nothing venture and  he will never know.

[Billy Hoyle]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but with his NBA prospects being fuzzy at best, I think there's something to be gained by being able to tell his kids and grandkids about being MU's all-time leading scorer. And that record that could stand for quite some time in this era of the "best" players leaving early.

Different story if he is a sure first rounder or even a sure draft pick...but he could very well end up choosing between $35K in the G-league and MU immortality.

He'll make six figures easily in Europe if that's the route he wants to go. He's not limited to only the G League if he doesn't make the NBA.

[Silent Verbal]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but with his NBA prospects being fuzzy at best, I think there's something to be gained by being able to tell his kids and grandkids about being MU's all-time leading scorer. And that record that could stand for quite some time in this era of the "best" players leaving early.

Different story if he is a sure first rounder or even a sure draft pick...but he could very well end up choosing between $35K in the G-league and MU immortality.

This might be the purest example of homerism I've ever seen.  It belongs on Buckyville.

[Johnny B]

Consider the players KenPom considers the best comps for Markus, based on how he played during his junior season:

Sean Singletary
Listed at 6-0/185, he played 4 years at Virginia on his way to scoring 2,000 career points. Drafted in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 2008 NBA draft. Spent a season with the Suns and Bobcats, then several D-League and European teams before retiring in 2014.

Sherron Collins
Listed at 5-11/205, he played 4 years at Kansas -- being named a 3rd-team AP All American as a junior, and 2nd-team AP All American as a senior. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Spent part of his first season as a pro on the Bobcats roster, then with several D-League and European teams.

Denis Clemente
Listed at 6-1/175, he played 2 years at Miami and 2 years at Kansas State. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft. Played in the NBA Summer League with the Charlotte Bobcats, but was cut before training camp. Currently playing in Europe.

Aaron Holiday
Listed at 6-1/185, he played 3 years at UCLA. Selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft with the 23rd overall pick. Still on the Pacers roster.

Obviously, none of these is a perfect match. They're all different players -- all of them except Collins have a slight height advantage over Markus, Singletary has a higher assist rate and was more of a ballhawk on the defensive end, but none of them can match Markus for shooting and scoring (he has both the highest 3P% and FTRate of the bunch).

That said, I think the comps do give you a rough idea of where Markus stands.

Three of the four comps played all four years in college. That much seems like a good bet. So what happens if he comes back? Best case: he continues to improve as a playmaker and defender and an NBA team selects him late in the first round. Worst case: Markus goes undrafted, either making an NBA roster as a free agent or opting to go to the D-League or Europe.

Drafted in first round of the NFL draft then to the pacers in the NBA? quite the athlete eh?

[MuMark]

Grimes declared today......had a really mediocre season but if he stays in he will almost surely be drafted .

https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes/status/1116093166439084032?s=21

[Galway Eagle]

Grimes declared today......had a really mediocre season but if he stays in he will almost surely be drafted .

https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes/status/1116093166439084032?s=21

So should we expect the full tale from big daddy yet or wait till after the draft?

[GoldenEagle323]

Some big east reporter said "all signs point to markus staying" i forgot his twitter @ though

[brewcity77]

Some big east reporter said "all signs point to markus staying" i forgot his twitter @ though

John Fanta.

[Cheeks]

This might be the purest example of homerism I've ever seen.  It belongs on Buckyville.

Remember when UConn player decided to come back to win a title....and they did....beat Duke in the final.

[jesmu84]

Some big east reporter said "all signs point to markus staying" i forgot his twitter @ though

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1115668348375851008

[JakeBarnes]

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1115668348375851008

Awesome. That's definitely good news if the signs keep pointing that way!

[Anti-Dentite]

Markus participating with team at strength and conditioning drills on Instagram.

[Marcus92]

Drafted in first round of the NFL draft then to the pacers in the NBA? quite the athlete eh?

LOL usually typos are much more nonsensical, not just ridiculous.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Maybe I'm just crazy, but with his NBA prospects being fuzzy at best, I think there's something to be gained by being able to tell his kids and grandkids about being MU's all-time leading scorer. And that record that could stand for quite some time in this era of the "best" players leaving early.

Different story if he is a sure first rounder or even a sure draft pick...but he could very well end up choosing between $35K in the G-league and MU immortality.

+ 1 billion

[MU82]

Grimes declared today......had a really mediocre season but if he stays in he will almost surely be drafted .

https://twitter.com/qdotgrimes/status/1116093166439084032?s=21

As with every one of these players, I wish the best for him.

But ...

What an underachieving 1-and-done, a kid who had pretty small impact on the big stage.

And to think all the hours we spent begging, pleading, name-changing and hoping.

[GooooMarquette]

This might be the purest example of homerism I've ever seen.  It belongs on Buckyville.

John Fanta seems to think it's not just homerism....