Marquette Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Golden Eagles

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MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 24: Marquette’s Cheatham (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Starting Lineup – Frontcourt

Haanif Cheatham

Cheatham is a great fit next to Howard and Rowsey in the Marquette lineup. Cheatham played some point guard in his college career and has proven to be a solid secondary playmaker (2.2 apg). His skill set allows Howard and Rowsey to focus on scoring and it gives them opportunities to run off screens.

This is a similar dynamic to the Warriors playing Iguodala with Curry and Thompson and the Blazers playing Turner with Lillard and McCollum. Obviously, the Howard-Rowsey-Cheatham version is not on the same level as the pro combos, but it should still create quality offense.

Sam Hauser

Hauser did not look like a typical freshman during his first season in a Marquette uniform. The sharp-shooting forward averaged 8.8 ppg and 5 rpg while shooting a scorching 45% from 3-point land (63 makes). Hauser plays as a stretch-four in the smaller and more skilled Golden Eagle lineups where his shooting helps spread the floor.

Expect Hauser to maintain his steady play as a sophomore, but if he can expand his offensive game, he will make Marquette even more dangerous.

Matt Heldt

Heldt will compete for the starting center position after being a reserve for the last two seasons. The 6’10″ center earned a consistent role as a sophomore and showed promise as a defender and rebounder. Heldt’s skill set differs from his predecessor, Luke Fischer. Fischer was more of an offensive-minded big man who you can give the ball to in the post to create offense.

While Heldt shot 70% from the field last season, he was not used frequently on offense and cannot be featured like Fischer was. Heldt averaged just 2.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg, but he has a leg up on the starting center job due to his experience and defensive upside.

Overall, this is a dynamic offensive lineup that will have no problem scoring points and spacing the floor. However, if Marquette is going to make the NCAA Tournament they need to improve their defense. The Howard-Rowsey backcourt is very small, but both players are too valuable offensively to be on the bench. If they can solve their defensive issues, they will be back in the Big Dance.

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