Way Too Early 2019/20 Pre-Season Predictions

[MU82]

In the 42 seasons since winning the national title in 1977, Marquette has:

  • Made 20 NCAA appearances
  • Won at least 24 games just 10 times

Them's the facts. Earning a bid to the Big Dance and winning 24+ games are both really good things. Even Buzz won fewer than 24 games three times in his six seasons at MU. My eyes are on a bigger prize. But that's no reason to overlook or downplay meaningful accomplishments.

Yep, and Buzz only had two teams seeded higher than 6th.

Some would say such talk is just more settling for mediocrity, but facts are facts.

Now, Buzz won 8 NCAA tourney games, including 3 with teams seeded either #11 or #6, and that matters. When Wojo accomplishes something like that, he likely would get more slack from Scoopers than he does now, and that's fair.

So ...

Would I "take" another 24-win, 5-seed season next year? Well, what if I wouldn't?

It would be hard for me to believe that Wojo would get fired after such a season -- hell, he'd probably get a nice extension, especially if he wins a couple of NCAA tourney games -- and I don't have the power to fire him if I "wouldn't take" such a season.

So then, if I'm truly disgusted, my choice would be to stop being a fan of my alma mater's basketball team, and that's not gonna happen.

So yes, I'd "take" another 24-win, 5-seed season ... and I suspect most Scoopers, even those who loathe Wojo, would as well.

[brewcity77]

Yep, and Buzz only had two teams seeded higher than 6th.

Not true. Tom Crean had two teams seeded higher than 6th.

[Tha Hound]

In the grand scheme of things, Yes 24 wins and a 5 seed is a solid season for our program. However, as was mentioned earlier, with the expectations coming into this season, and the disappointments in Wojo's seasons past, a 5 seed is certainly no reason to be ecstatic.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Jayce Johnson will commit..Just a hunch, but a strong one.

I am cool with that, but Jayce Johnson really doesn't change my outlook on next season at all.  I am all for depth, but I don't really think he makes us much better. 

[muguru]

I am cool with that, but Jayce Johnson really doesn't change my outlook on next season at all.  I am all for depth, but I don't really think he makes us much better.

I have to disagree...his rebounding rates are ELITE. His offense rebounding % of 14.1 ranked 27th in the country last year. His defensive rebounding % of 27.5 ranked 23rd. When is the last time MU had someone with those elite rebounding rates?? He's good enough to start for MU, and I suspect he very well might.

His per 40 #'s(last year) : 13.0 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG

per 100 possessions: 19.1 PPG, 20.7 RPG, 3.1 BPG  Ortg-110.9 Drtg-105.1


Theo per 40: 11.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.2 BPG

Per 100 : 15.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 5.9 BPG  Ortg- 110.0 Drtg- 93.9

[MU82]

Not true. Tom Crean had two teams seeded higher than 6th.

I wasn't talking about Crean, so not sure where you're going here, brewski.

I said Buzz only had 2 teams seeded higher than 6th, and that's true: We were 3 seeds in 2012 and again in 2013. Otherwise, 6 in 2009, 6 in 2010, 11 in 2011, and no tourney in 2014.

What's not true?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I have to disagree...his rebounding rates are ELITE. His offense rebounding % of 14.1 ranked 27th in the country last year. His defensive rebounding % of 27.5 ranked 23rd. When is the last time MU had someone with those elite rebounding rates?? He's good enough to start for MU, and I suspect he very well might.

His per 40 #'s(last year) : 13.0 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.1 BPG

per 100 possessions: 19.1 PPG, 20.7 RPG, 3.1 BPG  Ortg-110.9 Drtg-105.1


Theo per 40: 11.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.2 BPG

Per 100 : 15.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 5.9 BPG  Ortg- 110.0 Drtg- 93.9

I'd be disappointing if a stop gap grad transfer that isn't clearly better than Theo displaced his as the starting C.  Again, I am not against Johnson, and I will certainly take him.  He just doesn't move the needle much for me.  I'd be happy to be wrong. 

[Loose Cannon]

I am cool with that, but Jayce Johnson really doesn't change my outlook on next season at all.  I am all for depth, but I don't really think he makes us much better.

I think he will be  more than an  adequate plug- in when Ed and/or Theo run into foul trouble.  If not, there might be a glaring weakness without another Big.

[Boone]

I'm with Jamil on this. We have more pressing roster needs than landing another 5. I also doubt he'd be content to transfer here to fill the Heldt role. If he doesn't expect to start, he will expect to play A LOT more than Heldt did, which may cause chemistry issues

[muguru]

I'm with Jamil on this. We have more pressing roster needs than landing another 5. I also doubt he'd be content to transfer here to fill the Heldt role. If he doesn't expect to start, he will expect to play A LOT more than Heldt did, which may cause chemistry issues

Do guys want to win, or are they only in it for themselves?? You get as many good players as possible, that is the #1 thing that gives you the best chance of winning.

[brewcity77]

I wasn't talking about Crean, so not sure where you're going here, brewski.

I said Buzz only had 2 teams seeded higher than 6th, and that's true: We were 3 seeds in 2012 and again in 2013. Otherwise, 6 in 2009, 6 in 2010, 11 in 2011, and no tourney in 2014.

What's not true?

I misread it. Thought you were saying he was the only coach with 2 better-than-6 seeds.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If next season was a repeat of last season (5 seed with first round exit), I would be disappointed because we were on track for a better finish. But I would also enjoy it and be able to objectively call it a good season. It can be both.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm with Jamil on this. We have more pressing roster needs than landing another 5. I also doubt he'd be content to transfer here to fill the Heldt role. If he doesn't expect to start, he will expect to play A LOT more than Heldt did, which may cause chemistry issues

The question is if Wojo and Co plan on adjusting the offense at all. There are offensive styles that would allow Morrow and John/Johnson to be on the floor at the same time....it would just be a major departure from what Wojo has run since year 2.

[muguru]

Do you guys want MU to have the best talent possible, or not?? Way way way way way way too many people worry about chemistry issues. Yeah, sure, it's a thing, as we have found out, but dammit, the easiest way to win games is with as much talent as you can possibly have.

[WhiteTrash]

If next season was a repeat of last season (5 seed with first round exit), I would be disappointed because we were on track for a better finish. But I would also enjoy it and be able to objectively call it a good season. It can be both.

Agreed it can be both but a plateau for Wojo. With the talent loss next season  I expect MU to trend downward. These two seasons maybe the height of Wojo.

[Cheeks]

Do you guys want MU to have the best talent possible, or not?? Way way way way way way too many people worry about chemistry issues. Yeah, sure, it's a thing, as we have found out, but dammit, the easiest way to win games is with as much talent as you can possibly have.

Did Virginia have the best talent?  I have seen some MU teams with more talent perform at lesser levels than less talented MU teams.

[tower912]

Starting line up:    Markus, Koby, Sacar, Bailey, Theo.    Bench:   Cain, Ed, Greg.     That is a little small up front and missing a mauler at the 4.     Beyond that, that 8 man rotation is solid.   

[MU82]

Starting line up:    Markus, Koby, Sacar, Bailey, Theo.    Bench:   Cain, Ed, Greg.     That is a little small up front and missing a mauler at the 4.     Beyond that, that 8 man rotation is solid.

Agreed if Koby is as good as everybody is saying. A year ago, many of us (including Wojo) thought JCS was gonna be good, too, so although I am an optimist I also want to see for myself.

That lineup should be quick and be able to play some D. I worry about rebounding and 3-point shooting.

[muguru]

Starting line up:    Markus, Koby, Sacar, Bailey, Theo.    Bench:   Cain, Ed, Greg.     That is a little small up front and missing a mauler at the 4.     Beyond that, that 8 man rotation is solid.

Solid...maybe, but far from spectacular.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Agreed it can be both but a plateau for Wojo. With the talent loss next season  I expect MU to trend downward. These two seasons maybe the height of Wojo.

Could be. If that's the plateau, Wojo will be replaced eventually. We will definitely be in for a rebuild year in 20-21 but I think the expectation will be that we still make the tourney despite a down year.

[auburnmarquette]

Starting line up:    Markus, Koby, Sacar, Bailey, Theo.    Bench:   Cain, Ed, Greg.     That is a little small up front and missing a mauler at the 4.     Beyond that, that 8 man rotation is solid.

Agreed - and I'd love to see 8 minutes a game of Markus getting g some rest and Cain in for him for a suffocating press team. I believe that would help extend Markus through the end of the year at the same All-American level.

I do agree my one concern is defensive rebounding and if Bailey is the 4 the. Theo and Ed are going to need to be great defensive rebounders. With a little more.time.on the court I believe Cain is a great 3 point shooter.

[GoldenEagle323]

Agreed - and I'd love to see 8 minutes a game of Markus getting g some rest and Cain in for him for a suffocating press team. I believe that would help extend Markus through the end of the year at the same All-American level.

I do agree my one concern is defensive rebounding and if Bailey is the 4 the. Theo and Ed are going to need to be great defensive rebounders. With a little more.time.on the court I believe Cain is a great 3 point shooter.

In jamal's freshman season he did shoot 47% from 3 but on only 55 shots

[hairy worthen]

Did Virginia have the best talent?  I have seen some MU teams with more talent perform at lesser levels than less talented MU teams.

No Virginia did not have the best talent, apparently they are just really good at craps.

[Uncle Rico]

Did Virginia have the best talent?  I have seen some MU teams with more talent perform at lesser levels than less talented MU teams.

Virginia had a lottery pick, another likely first round pick and Kyle Guy who will likely get drafted and I wouldn't bet against him sticking in the NBA

[muguru]

Virginia had a lottery pick, another likely first round pick and Kyle Guy who will likely get drafted and I wouldn't bet against him sticking in the NBA

Exactly...they had talent.