[Paint Touches] Marquette Minutes Projections for 2026

[tower912]

I am not getting caught up in the minutiae of whether Zaide gets 22 or 24 minutes.  There are 80 minutes at the 2-3.  Chase, Zaide, and Damarius are going to combine to play almost all of them.  Maybe Adrien gets a couple, maybe Tre. 

More interesting to me is which two of the three finishes games.   

[Shooter McGavin]

See Brew's response as it's a nice well organized version of what I was going to say. As far as the new comers, are we seriously falling for the "these freshmen are going to be the next greatest thing ever" coach speak? I feel like this has been the same routine for years now.

Once every seven to ten years or so there is an immediate high impact freshman on MUs team (Wade, the three amigos, Hauser, Howard). Let's hope this year is one of them.  But, I agree, it does sound far fetched.

Definitely a higher ceiling with this team if James and Stevens are that type of player.

Could this be the year? 

[brewcity77]

If Zaide plays 30 minutes. I'll eat crow on this. But i just don't think that happens if this team is really good. Like that number would require a lack of health for alot of guys not named Zaide.

There was a predictor that had him having more minutes than Chase Ross.

No one had him under 22 minutes. That is a little wonky.

The lineups won't be settled this year. Shaka said that himself

The article average was 26, only two people said 30. In the past 3 years, every junior or senior scholarship player has averaged over 25 mpg (Ben's 25.3 last year was the lowest). I do think Norman will go well under that number, but I think the floor for Zaide is 22 with 25+ the most likely outcome.

[1SE]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

[Uncle Rico]

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

Still no skyhook

[jfp61]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

Nah it will be Royce or Ben or someone out of left field.

[brewcity77]

Royce & Sean are the best bets to lead the team in scoring unless Chase can really amp up his usage. I'm skeptical of a guy who's been sub-18% usage in three years jumping up to 24-26% which is probably where our scoring leader will be.

[Jay Bee]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

This is a crazy take (Zaide as #2 option).

[tower912]

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

Somebody always does.   He shot 37% from 3, 40 % in Big East games.   The coaches gave him their defensive award at the spring banquet, as he held the opponent he was guarding to the lowest shooting percentage of anybody on the team.   All of this with shin splints for half the season, and, per TAMU and his impeccable source, breaking a finger in late January.
 

[1SE]

This is a crazy take (Zaide as #2 option).

Crazy.

[1SE]

Royce & Sean are the best bets to lead the team in scoring unless Chase can really amp up his usage. I'm skeptical of a guy who's been sub-18% usage in three years jumping up to 24-26% which is probably where our scoring leader will be.

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

[tower912]

One game.  39 to go.  Let him get his legs and timing back.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

It's due to usage numbers. Typically, leading scorers have usage rates about 25%. Only Parham and Sean have had usage rates close to that. Upperclassmen typically don't see large increases in usage. It's possible but rare.

While I understand the math, I too am skeptical of Sean as a leading scorer. His efficiency numbers have never been good enough IMHO.

[MU82]

Ross will lead the team in scoring.

[brewcity77]

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

It was a rocky first game back for him, but he's the only guy who's had over 20% usage in meaningful minutes before this year. If he stays at 28% usage (hopefully not driven so much by turnovers) he'll be right in that mix.

In 2022, Justin was (then) the highest ppg scorer Shaka ever had on a lower usage rate than Sean had yesterday and similar efficiency to Sean in 2023-24. Minutes could be a limiting factor, though, especially with how NJ looked yesterday (admittedly small sample size).

My guess is we'll have around 5-6 guys averaging between 9-13 ppg. We won't have any Kam Jones types on this team, but will have a number of guys who on any given night could be the guy. Jones and Parham have shown the most comfort with higher usage, which is why I think you look to them first. Ross, Zaide, Ben, and whoever emerges in the 5-7 rotational spots will also have a chance. Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

[barfolomew]

Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

[Scoop Snoop]

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

No worry. We are pissed all the time already.

[Nukem2]

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

Nah. Kind of impressed how brewcity seamlessly inserted a word like that into his discussion! 

[Norm]

It's just one game, but I think Stevens and James are going to get a lot more playing time this year than what was predicted in this thread. Those two looked very comfortable last night, had decent looking shots, had some nice assists and played good D. I think they will be more steady players than some of the upperclassmen and will earn more trust from Shaka as the season goes on.

[Newsdreams]

No worry. We are pissed all the time already.

Lack of hot dogs for sure

[Scoop Snoop]

Lack of hot dogs for sure

Don't get me started!

[1SE]

It was a rocky first game back for him, but he's the only guy who's had over 20% usage in meaningful minutes before this year. If he stays at 28% usage (hopefully not driven so much by turnovers) he'll be right in that mix.

In 2022, Justin was (then) the highest ppg scorer Shaka ever had on a lower usage rate than Sean had yesterday and similar efficiency to Sean in 2023-24. Minutes could be a limiting factor, though, especially with how NJ looked yesterday (admittedly small sample size).

My guess is we'll have around 5-6 guys averaging between 9-13 ppg. We won't have any Kam Jones types on this team, but will have a number of guys who on any given night could be the guy. Jones and Parham have shown the most comfort with higher usage, which is why I think you look to them first. Ross, Zaide, Ben, and whoever emerges in the 5-7 rotational spots will also have a chance. Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

Yeah, I certainly agree with the egalitarian scoring I just don't see Sean being at the top unless his 3 shooting really comes on whatever his usage - can't be 5'10 and not be an outside threat- D will just sag.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Chase's usage ticks up - its his team and I think he has legitimate association chances - I think there's a world where he ends up closer to 18 than 13 ppg

[1SE]

Somebody always does.   He shot 37% from 3, 40 % in Big East games.   The coaches gave him their defensive award at the spring banquet, as he held the opponent he was guarding to the lowest shooting percentage of anybody on the team.   All of this with shin splints for half the season, and, per TAMU and his impeccable source, breaking a finger in late January.
 

It's not hate, its just non blue-gold glasses. Last season was of course better but he's still career 35% - he is a very poor man's Steve Novak with better D. If he can continue the progression and shoot 40%+ this year maybe he 2nd leading scorer, but I don't see it happening (prove me wrong Ben)

[1SE]

It's not hate, its just non blue-gold glasses. Last season was of course better but he's still career 35% - he is a very poor man's Steve Novak with better D. If he can continue the progression and shoot 40%+ this year maybe he 2nd leading scorer, but I don't see it happening (prove me wrong Ben)

And I get the Novak comparisons are a bit unfair as he was one of/the best offensive stretches ever - looking back at his stats again it's unreal what an incredible shooter he was