"My rule was I wouldn't recruit a kid if he had grass in front of his house.
That's not my world. My world was a cracked sidewalk." —Al McGuire

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

It's wicked early, but is MU a pre-season top 10 team?

The guys at the March Madness All Season seem to think so.

Marquette returns one of the best guard groups in the country in Dominic James and Jerel McNeal, as well as wing Wesley Matthews. Ousmane Barro leads a capable collection of players up front. James will need to regain his freshman season form if the Golden Eagles are going to make a run. Furthermore, post production needs to improve from the likes of Barro and Lazar Hayward.
Hey, I'm a believer. MU returns just about everybody from a team that won 24 games last season, including 10 in Big East action. A team that started three sophomores and a freshman for much of the Big East season, mind you. So, with an influx of young talent (Acker, Christopherson, and hopefully Mbakwe) and a full year of seasoning for its once young roster, this team could emerge as one of the nation's best. We have months and months to analyze this - - once MU's roster is set, we'll take a more in-depth look.

Anyway, here is March Madness All Season's take on the top 10 teams in the country as of this week.

UPDATED
Meanwhile, the off-season MU buzz also caught the attention of NCAA Hoops Today where they look at the Golden Eagles as a team who could have a breakout year based on the return of a strong core of players
So which trio could have a big breakout this year? ........ Marquette trio of Dominic James, Jerell McNeal and Wesley Matthews. I'm not saying they are going to win the natinoal championship, but they have a very good chance of having a season to remember (Big East title, Elite 8 or Final Four even)
Again, count me in.

3 comments:

Bill said...

One problem is that national media who don't follow the team all that closely universally assume that its a good thing to have DJ back. I've talked to plenty of local MU fans who don't share that assessment.

TB said...

"One problem is that national media who don't follow the team all that closely universally assume that its a good thing to have DJ back. I've talked to plenty of local"

Those folks are nuts.

Unknown said...

With DJ back, Marquette should be a top ten team and a contender for the Big East title and a long run in the tourney. Without DJ, I would have gladly taken a return to the 8-9 game and double digit wins in the Big East. And I'll go out on a limb and state that I watch and follow college basketball a lot closer than the fans you've talked to.