Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: 2018-19 breakout candidates from each team

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Sean McDermott #22 of the Butler Bulldogs drives to the basket against Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Sean McDermott #22 of the Butler Bulldogs drives to the basket against Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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VILLANOVA, PA – JANUARY 06: Cain of the Marquette Golden Eagles scrambles. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – JANUARY 06: Cain of the Marquette Golden Eagles scrambles. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Jamal Cain, Marquette Golden Eagles

Sophomore | Forward | 6-foot-7 | 295 lbs

Marquette was, for lack of better words, a defensively challenged team last season. Despite being one of the most potent offensive teams in the country, the Golden Eagles struggled to consistently win games because of the number of points they allowed. However, this is not to say that the team lacked solid defenders altogether. Most notably, then-freshman Jamal Cain had a strong defensive season for Marquette and will look to build on that during this coming year.

Related Story: Can Marquette unlock Jamal Cain?

Over the course of last season, Cain averaged 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game. In addition, he shot 48.4% from the field, including 47.3% from 3-point range (55 attempts). A potentially dangerous 3-and-D player at the college level, Cain is a valuable asset for Marquette that could do some serious damage as a sophomore. Although he definitely needs to bulk up to become an elite interior defender, Cain is already blossoming as a lockdown guy on the perimeter who also can swat shots with some regularity. It would not be a surprise to see him take a major leap entering the 2018-19 campaign.

The issue with Cain, though, is that it is hard to imagine his role getting any bigger this year. His main competitor when it came to minutes last season, Matt Heldt, is also back this year and the duo will likely reprise similar roles. In addition, talented recruit Joey Hauser and Nebraska transfer Ed Morrow will be joining the Marquette team as frontcourt pieces that will surely see plenty of minutes. So, while it seems that Cain is oozing with potential for a breakout season, his playing time may be limited.

Others considered: Greg Elliott.

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