2006-2007 Big East Preview: #7

#7- Marquette Golden Eagles

Last season: 20-11 (10-6), lost to Alabama in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Coach: Tom Crean (8th year). 141-76 at Marquette.

With one of the best backcourts in the entire nation, Marquette is primed for success once again in its second year in the Big East. A successful 2005-2006 campaign ended on a sour note (first round exit from the NCAA Tournament), but Marquette has something to build on for 2006-07. Led by stud sophomore point guard Dominic James (15.3 ppg, 5.4 apg), the Golden Eagles look to get back to the NCAA Tournament this March.

Joining James in the backcourt are guards Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal. Matthews missed eight games last year due to injury, but he has recovered and figures to be a big part of Crean's team this year. McNeal averaged 11.1 ppg and also ranked second in the league with 2.1 steals a game. These three players alone should be enough to get Marquette into the NCAA Tournament. Keep in mind they are all sophomores too. Three years of this? Get ready Big East.

There will be one missing piece this year however. Graduating last year was 6-10 forward Steve Novak, a do-everything player for Crean. Novak's strengths were three point and free throw shooting, something Crean recognizes will have a big impact at the end of games: "I'll tell you where we'll really miss him. He missed only one free throw in the last two minutes of a game in his four year career. That happened in his freshman year," said Crean. Without a doubt, this will be a big factor for Marquette in close games, and they will look to James to step up and hit the clutch free throws.

Up front, Marquette is considerably thinner. Junior Ousmane Barro figures to see major time at the center spot, but he only averaged 4.4 ppg last year. He will need to increase his production big time for Marquette to have a shot at winning this conference. Lazar Hayward, a 6-6 freshman out of Buffalo, NY will improve Marquette's outside shooting and possibly make up for some of what's lost with Novak's departure. Being primarily a wing player, Hayward will not increase Marquette's depth in the paint.

With their weak frontcourt, this is why I have Marquette rated 7th. They will have a good season no doubt, but I do not think they can challenge for a conference title with not much up front. They have an easy non-conference schedule aside from a probable date with Duke in the CBE Classic and a home date with in-state rival Wisconsin. In the Big East season, they drew Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Providence twice, all of which will be tough games. Overall, Marquette will be a very solid team that will mature as the season progresses and could make a nice run in the NCAA Tournament.

Schedule and predictions:

11/10 vs. Hillsdale- W
11/13 vs. Idaho State- W
11/14 vs. Maine/Detroit- W
11/18 vs. Eastern Michigan- W
11/20 vs./@ Texas Tech (likely)- W
11/21 vs./@ Duke (likely)- L
11/27 @ Valparaiso- W
12/1 vs. Northwestern State- W
12/2 vs. Princeton (likely)- W
12/5 vs. Delaware State- W
12/9 vs. Wisconsin- L
12/16 vs. UMBC- W
12/19 vs. Oakland- W
12/22 vs. Morgan State- W
12/30 vs. Savannah State- W
1/4 @ Providence- W
1/7 vs. Syracuse- L
1/10 @ Connecticut- L
1/13 vs. West Virginia- W
1/15 @ Louisville- L
1/21 @ Pittsburgh- L
1/24 vs. Seton Hall- W
1/28 @ USF- W
2/3 vs. Providence- W
2/7 vs. Rutgers- W
2/10 @ Georgetown- L
2/14 @ DePaul- L
2/17 vs. Louisville- W
2/19 vs. Villanova- W
2/24 @ Notre Dame- W
3/3 vs. Pittsburgh- W

Projected record: 23-8 (10-6).
Postseason: NCAA 2nd round.