Marquette Basketball: Breaking down the Golden Eagles’ 2018-19 rotation

Power Forward

Minutes Breakdown (40 total): Sam Hauser (12), Jamal Cain (11), Joey Hauser (10), Ed Morrow (7)

The power forward spot is what will largely determine the lineup’s identity. If Sam Hauser is lined up at the four, Marquette will be playing a small-ball, spread ‘em out and shoot style. Defenders must guard Hauser as soon as he crosses half court, which will open up the entire floor for the other four Golden Eagles.

Joey Hauser figures to bring many of the same traits, though we haven’t seen his game on the college level yet. Still, opposing defenses will have to lock onto him or risk being torched from outside the arc or inside the paint.

Cain brings incredible athleticism, length, and upside to the rotation. He can jump out of the gym and guard on the perimeter with a wingspan that stretches far past his listed 6-foot-7 height. Cain is still relatively slight, so he can’t bang in the post just yet, but in certain matchups he should be able to hold his own down low. Offensively, he flashed crafty runners and drilled nearly half of his three-point attempts as a freshman (26-55). Even as Marquette’s eighth man, Cain has the talent to win the Golden Eagles a game or two this season as a bouncy, versatile X-factor.

Ed Morrow is the guy who will bring some toughness to Milwaukee. Every squad needs a “hard hat, lunch pail” player, and perhaps no one as much as Marquette. Opponents shot nearly 62 percent at the rim against the Golden Eagles last year, which ranked 249th in the nation. Morrow, even at 6-foot-7, should help Marquette reverse course inside.

Prior to transferring to MU, Morrow finished in the 93rd percentile in block rate, 96th percentile in defensive rebounding rate, and 99th percentile in offensive rebounding rate in 2016-17 with Nebraska. The redshirt junior is a perfect fit for the Golden Eagles’ needs, and should hold his own as the four- or five-man.