2011-2012 Preview: Talking Marquette Basketball With Andy Fleck

In preparation for the start of the 2011-2012 regular season on November 7, we’re running a series here on Busting Brackets where we talk with other writers about their team or conference. You can check out all of the pieces in our preview series by clicking here. Our series continues with a great discussion along with Andy Fleck of Anonymous Eagle, who talks in-depth about the expectations for Buzz Williams and Marquette this season.

Be sure to check out Andy’s work at AnonymousEagle.com and follow AE on Twitter @Anonymous Eagle.

BustingBrackets.com: OK, I’ve gotta ask this to start off. Did the Junior Cadougan/Buzz Williams karaoke battle at Marquette Madness live up to the hype?

Andy: If you were hyped for an actual competitive karaoke contest, then no. No. A thousand times no. If you were hyped to a spectacle, then absolutely yes. Junior put his heart, soul, and teammates into his performance and ultimately came out looking better than he did in his now famous attempt at Mariah Carey. Buzz knew he had to top it, so invited people out of the stands to help him, and things got CRAZY. The capper was Buzz’s super sweet white MU track suit……

BB: Speaking of Williams, I still contend that he’s still one of the most underrated coaches in the country. Do you think he gets enough credit at the national level?

Andy: If the southern half of the country counts enough as national, Buzz absolutely gets enough credit. At varying points during the last off season, ESPN’s Andy Katz (a graduate of Marquette’s in state rival, the University of Wisconsin, it should be noted) had Buzz as the new head coach at (in no particular order): Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. The TAMU one was the most impressive to me, since that came well after Buzz’s old contract details came out and after Marquette already gave him a new and improved deal.

If he’s not getting enough credit from fans and writers around the country, that’s fine by me, because it’s obvious that Buzz is on the tips of the tongues of the college athletics decision makers around the country.

BB: As for the actual basketball stuff, the frontcourt will once again be anchored by Jae Crowder and Chris Otule. What part of their game will these guys need to improve upon in order to help take Marquette to the next level this season?

Andy: For Crowder, it’s his defense. I don’t mean his actual physical ability or effort, but his ability to defend without fouling. Halfway through last season, Buzz came to the realization that he couldn’t leave Crowder in the starting lineup because he’d pick up a foul or two way too fast and be on the bench for the rest of the half. Crowder has said already that his goal for the season is to average a double-double, and the only way to do that is to stay out on the floor.

Chris Otule’s already found his rhythm defensively, and that’s what gets him out on the floor for Marquette. He’s arguably one of the best defensive centers Marquette’s ever had, as his 55 blocks last year actually tied him for the 9th best season in program history and the most by any player since 1996-97. If he can develop more speed and fluidity as an offensive player, he might actually be the reliable third scorer that Marquette needs.

BB: Darius Johnson-Odom will once again help carry the load scoring-wise, probably even more-so now with Jimmy Butler gone. What makes Johnson-Odom such a great scorer?

Andy: He’s left handed, for starters. That causes enough of a disruption for defenders to have to remember that DJO is stronger going to the left that most guys and his shooting motion is just different enough from most guys that it gives him an advantage. But what makes him deadly is that while you’re trying to remember that he’s left side dominant, he takes it to the rim over and over again with his right hand. Here’s a DJO dunk from last year with his right and here’s the nasty putback against Louisville from two years ago that caused Buzz to break out in dance. Both dunks were with his right hand.

BB: Talk a little about the newcomers for this Marquette squad. Will any new faces on the scene be expected to contribute right away?

Andy: While he’s not new to the team, this season will be the first time Jamil Wilson is eligible to play for Marquette after transferring from Oregon after his freshman year. My compatriot at Anonymous Eagle, Rubie Q, went to the Marquette Madness event and his only comment regarding basketball play was this: “Jamil Wilson might be F-U-N, you guys.” He should have the biggest impact of all the newcomers. Juan Anderson fits the mold of exactly what Buzz Williams is talking about when he mentions “switchable players,” so he should get a shot at PT. There’s minutes available to anyone who can back up Junior Cadougan, and if Derrick Wilson or Todd Mayo can provide the defense needed for that spot, they’ll get a chance.

BB: The Big East coaches voted the Golden Eagles sixth in their preseason poll. About right given who is front of them?

Andy: At face value, I’m completely fine with being picked 6th. But being picked to finish behind a Syracuse team returning most of the guys who lost twice to Marquette last year – once in the NCAA Tournament – is incredibly annoying, and I’ve personally hated finishing behind Cincinnati in anything college basketball related ever since the Great Midwest Conference was formed 20 years ago. Other than that, yes, about right.

BB: What’s the one strength for this Marquette team that could push them higher, and on the other end, what’s the one weakness that could send them back into the middle of the pack?

Andy: As long as Marquette shows the determination to refuse to go away as they always have under Buzz Williams, it will provide a strong bedrock for what is probably Buzz’s most talented team to be able to use that talent to the their advantage.

Since I gave you an intangible for a strength, I’ll give you something quantifiable for a weakness. DJO and Crowder are the only reliable proven outside shooters on the team. Cadougan has shown flashes of hitting shots in rhythm but can’t be called proven and Vander Blue’s shooting motion causes most Marquette fans I know to wince. Reports are that Davante Gardner’s been working on his outside shot, and given his touch around the rim and from the free throw line, I’d be fine with him shooting threes if Buzz give him the green light. But since he didn’t attempt a single shot from outside the arc last year, I’ll believe he’s going to shoot those when I see it.

BB: Alright, let’s wrap it up with the big picture. A Sweet 16 appearance last year was a pleasant surprise. Would anything less be a disappointment for fans this season?

Andy: As much as I want to hide behind the vagaries of seeding and matchups to avoid an answer here, I’ll still say yes. Buzz has the program trending in a direction where two NCAA wins a year are a completely reasonable goal, and given the only true major loss is Jimmy Butler, it’s reasonable to think they can find ways to replace his production and possibly be a deeper and more dangerous team in the process.

Want more college hoops talk? You can follow us on Twitter (@theblakelovell) and @Blacketologist, or check out our Facebook page for more college basketball discussion!