Big East Basketball: Best and worst-case scenarios for each team in 2018-19
By Brian Foley
Marquette Golden Eagles
Last year: 21-13 (9-9), NIT quarterfinals
Key Departures: G Andrew Rowsey
Best Case
Markus Howard clearly establishes himself as the best guard in the Big East with improved passing and defense on top of his impeccable shooting. Sam Hauser, fresh off offseason hip surgery, begins the season in attack mode and turns into the best second banana in college basketball.
Marquette’s Jamal Cain and Greg Elliott become dynamic 3-and-D options off the bench, and flipping Rowsey’s offense into Joseph Chartouny’s defense is the key that unlocks this roster. Head coach Steve Wojciechowski effectively juggles his many frontcourt options, four-star freshman Joey Hauser makes an impact right away, and the Golden Eagles grab the Big East crown and a high seed in the NCAA tournament.
More. How will Wojo balance Marquette's rotation?. light
Worst Case
Howard keeps scoring but proves to be an ineffective lead guard without Rowsey. Chartouny, Cain, Elliott, and Sacar Anim all struggle from beyond the arc. The defense continues to hemorrhage buckets, Sam Hauser is slightly off following his hip injury, and Wojo fails to capture the team amidst herky-jerky playing time en route to a second straight NIT appearance and another missed opportunity in Milwaukee.