The Marquette men’s basketball team isn’t being talked about too much this year. A lot of that has to do with the departures of stars Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro from the Golden Eagles.
Despite star exits, Marquette has seasoned squad returning
Both Kolek and Ighodaro were selected in the NBA Draft. With those significant players gone, expectations weren’t too high for Marquette. Something that might not be expected is that despite Kolek and Ighodaro gone, Marquette among the Big East Conference leaders in returning minutes. While the production of two NBA players won’t be easy to replace, Shaka Smart and the Marquette program are built on development.
Not a better culture builder in the world than Shaka Smart
Look at this energy, passion, and togetherness at Marquette’s practice
Big time
(Via @MarquetteMBB 🎥)
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) October 2, 2024
The ball was in Kolek’s hands a ton as he averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 assists and nearly 5 rebounds per game. Add in 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and nearly 3 assists per game from Ighodaro and things might appear daunting, especially with Ighodaro also having the offense run through him at times with his passing ability as a big.
But Marquette actually returns every other contributor from last year’s team.
Marquette still should be a strong team
The culture Smart has built at Marquette and relying on development, the Golden Eagles haven’t had transfer issues many programs have. Many programs go in the portal for new and players leave in the portal. At Marquette, Smart does things the old school way. He trusts his recruitment and culture built at Marquette.
Other coaches do, too. Marquette is picked to finish fourth in the Big East by the preseason Big East Coaches poll. Joe Lunardi has them as a 5-seed projection in Bracketology. The Golden Eagles started the year ranked 18th in the AP Poll.
Though Kolek and Ighodaro departed, the Golden Eagles return Kam Jones, David Joplin, Ben Gold, Chase Ross and Stevie Mitchell to the squad. Sean Jones is also expected to be back at some point following ACL surgery. Zaide Lowery and Tre Norman will also assume larger roles and the Golden Eagles should have a good and experienced backcourt.
The Golden Eagles also have a couple of highly touted freshman in Damarious Owens and Royce Parham along with Caedin Hamilton who could all see some run, particularly early in the season. Parham had some big moments in Marquette’s most recent win with a and-1 dunk and draining a 3.
Royce took that man’s soul! pic.twitter.com/DOdI6kHWUe
— Barstool Marquette (@MarqStool) November 12, 2024
Despite the 70-62 ugly win over Central Michigan, Mitchell said Marquette didn’t have to win like that in the past. The offense looked smooth mostly. Winning ugly is needed in March and Mitchell said so after the win over the Chippewas per Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“What it comes down to, we really got to get into the nitty-gritty every single day. Just give ourselves an opportunity to win. We feel like last year, we lost some games because we didn’t put an emphasis on winning ugly. I think this year, all we really care about is winning.”
Kam Jones led Marquette in scoring with over 17 points per game and shooting 40.6% from 3 last year. Joplin also has a bigger role after averaging double figures at nearly 11 points per game last season. Defensive stalwart Mitchell averaged 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and nearly two steals per game is back.
Jones could be a star now being looked at as the leading man. That appears to be the case as he’s started out the season sizzling. Through three games Jones is averaging 22.7 points, 6.3 assists per game on 69,2% shooting, including nearly 53% from 3.
Ready to get to work.@csgkam | #MUBB pic.twitter.com/zJMd0UX4qr
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) October 23, 2024
Despite departures, Marquette should be very good team
So, yes, Marquette lost All-American Tyler Kolek and first-team All-Big East Oso Ighodaro. However, every other rotational player is back and Marquette looks dynamic defensively. Marquette is also a program known for players taking big leaps when stars graduate or go to the NBA Draft. Kam Jones, Joplin and Ross are already looked at as strong players prior to this season but are going to be leaned on more heavily this season. At Marquette, those players are typically ready for the load and are ready to answer the bell.
