Best passers in MU history

[Silkk the Shaka]

Thinking about Kolek in context of past MU PGs, where would you rate him? I'll start the list based on those I'm familiar with or have actually seen play

1.) Tony Miller - top 10 assist man in NCAA history, holds many if not all MU assist records. I never saw him play but those that have I'm sure can attest (or disagree!)

2.) Travis Diener - knew exactly where his teammates were at all times, put the ball exactly where it needed to be exactly when it needed to be there. Had an absolutely absurd 53% assist rate his senior year, leading the nation.

3.) Tyler Kolek - his passing hitting rollers for easy dunks, open guys in rhythm for 3s, and dribble drive wrap-around passes in the paint have completely unlocked the offense and has helped create a program sea change from the prior star-focused ball-dominant regime

4.) Dominic James - his passing goes underappreciated (as does his entire career frankly) because of how he was used earlier in his career (higher volume shooter PG). But he was never a selfish player, and led an offense for a 4-year tournament team. Had an assist rate over 30% for his MU career.

5.) Junior Cadougan - another underappreciated player, he was a steady hand and had a great feel for pace (when to push in transition, when to probe in the half court, when to get out of the way for stars).



I only started following the program as a freshman in '02 so please chime in with any players you'd slot in with the above.

[TedBaxter]

Sam Worthen would be slotted #1 if you include players prior to you watching them.

[bilsu]

Sam Worthen would be slotted #1 if you include players prior to you watching them.

+1000

[Silkk the Shaka]

Sam Worthen would be slotted #1 if you include players prior to you watching them.

Awesome will read up on him - anyone know if there are clips of him floating around?

[Goose]

Sam Worthen was definitely the fanciest passer in school history.

[TedBaxter]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sam+worthen+marquette&&view=detail&mid=EB9BBE557A2ABEFBED17EB9BBE557A2ABEFBED17&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dsam%2Bworthen%2Bmarquette%26FORM%3DHDRSC4

[Galway Eagle]

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sam+worthen+marquette&&view=detail&mid=EB9BBE557A2ABEFBED17EB9BBE557A2ABEFBED17&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dsam%2Bworthen%2Bmarquette%26FORM%3DHDRSC4

Is that Al? The announcer sounds like Pete gillen.

[BrewCity83]

Any list like this has to include Sam Worthen, Lloyd Walton, and Dean Meminger.

[Goose]

Lloyd Walton is high on the all-time list.

[🏀]

1. Tony Miller
2. Worthen
3. Diener
4. Dominic James
5. Hutch
6. Walton

I'd stop it there.

[Galway Eagle]

1. Tony Miller
2. Worthen
3. Diener
4. Dominic James
5. Hutch
6. Walton

I'd stop it there.

No there's never been a player who's as good at anything Al's guys did before or after them outside of Wade.

[Dickthedribbler]

Any list like this has to include Sam Worthen, Lloyd Walton, and Dean Meminger.

Agree 100%. But I'll put Sam Worthen on top

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I understand Mike Deane made a lot of passes

[PJDunn]

Need to include Mandy "magic" Johnson on this list.

[wadesworld]

Need to include Mandy "magic" Johnson on this list.

And John "Magic" Dawson.

[Shooter McGavin]

Agree 100%. But I'll put Sam Worthen on top

At a Globe Trotters game 7-8years ago at the Joyce ACC on NDs campus, Sam Worthen was the head coach of the Generals.  Part of his job that night was to fire up the crowd.  He gets on the microphone as says “the Generals are going to kick the Globe Trotters ass, the same way Marquette is going to kick Notre Dame’s ass tomorrow”. We happened to be playing ND the next day in Milwaukee.  My kids and I yelled out “Hell yeah!” and stood up and clapped (I brain washed them very early on MU fandom).  The rest of the arena was dead silent.  I think they were shocked that anyone would say that on their home court.  It was awkward and funny all at the same time.  Had to explain to my kids, who were young at the time, who Sam was. 

[MU82]

At a Globe Trotters game 7-8years ago at the Joyce ACC on NDs campus, Sam Worthen was the head coach of the Generals.  Part of his job that night was to fire up the crowd.  He gets on the microphone as says “the Generals are going to kick the Globe Trotters ass, the same way Marquette is going to kick Notre Dame’s ass tomorrow”. We happened to be playing ND the next day in Milwaukee.  My kids and I yelled out “Hell yeah!” and stood up and clapped (I brain washed them very early on MU fandom).  The rest of the arena was dead silent.  I think they were shocked that anyone would say that on their home court.  It was awkward and funny all at the same time.  Had to explain to my kids, who were young at the time, who Sam was.

Given that the Globetrotters are family fare, I'm kind of shocked that Sam would say "ass" twice over the P.A. system.

But I do like the story.

And yes, Sam was the best passer I've seen in a Marquette uniform.

One name Scoopers are forgetting ... Dwyane Wade. Yes, his role was to be a finisher, not a passer. But he was an outstanding passer, often drew double-teams and passed well out of them, and averaged 4+ assists his last year even though he was the scoring star. A very good passer during his NBA career, too.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I understand Mike Deane made a lot of passes

I see you TSmith. Well played

[MarquetteMike1977]

Thinking about Kolek in context of past MU PGs, where would you rate him? I'll start the list based on those I'm familiar with or have actually seen play

1.) Tony Miller - top 10 assist man in NCAA history, holds many if not all MU assist records. I never saw him play but those that have I'm sure can attest (or disagree!)

2.) Travis Diener - knew exactly where his teammates were at all times, put the ball exactly where it needed to be exactly when it needed to be there. Had an absolutely absurd 53% assist rate his senior year, leading the nation.

3.) Tyler Kolek - his passing hitting rollers for easy dunks, open guys in rhythm for 3s, and dribble drive wrap-around passes in the paint have completely unlocked the offense and has helped create a program sea change from the prior star-focused ball-dominant regime

4.) Dominic James - his passing goes underappreciated (as does his entire career frankly) because of how he was used earlier in his career (higher volume shooter PG). But he was never a selfish player, and led an offense for a 4-year tournament team. Had an assist rate over 30% for his MU career.

5.) Junior Cadougan - another underappreciated player, he was a steady hand and had a great feel for pace (when to push in transition, when to probe in the half court, when to get out of the way for stars).



I only started following the program as a freshman in '02 so please chime in with any players you'd slot in with the above.

Agree with This but  Sam Worthen came immediately to mind too and would put Him somewhere in there. Mandy was awesome . I met him and Ate with him at Schroeder. He liked my ex gf. Although believe Mandy was a McDonalds All American an awesome quick and fast  player But would not put him on here as a passer since he predetermined his reads too much and could not adjust fast enough in mid dribble to either pass or shoot. But love Mandy as a person and player.

[Pakuni]

I understand Mike Deane made a lot of passes

This joke bites.

[Goose]

Mike1977

Mandy liked everyone's gf or ex-gf. He was a great guy, great defender but far from an all time great MU passer.

[4everwarriors]

#31...end of da disskoosion, hey?

[Jay Bee]

Please consider turnover rates

[Silkk the Shaka]

1. Tony Miller
2. Worthen
3. Diener
4. Dominic James
5. Hutch
6. Walton

I'd stop it there.

DJames over Kolek with Kolek not even worthy of the list? Is it just because Kolek hasn't finished his career yet? Just curious on your take is all since you saw the Worthen/Hutch/Walton/Miller crew too

[Goose]

Doc

31 would have field day in this style of ball. Plus, he was a tall, talented PG. His height was made him even better as a passer.