NCAA Basketball: Dean Wade vs. Sam Hauser for better player in 2018-19

The verdict

I’m sure it’s a strange feeling for Golden Eagles fans to be disappointed when hearing the name Wade in a Marquette-related conversation, but here we are. Dean Wade has the slightest edge over Sam Hauser in 2018-19, simply because he has done it before.

While a monster season for Hauser is both a reasonable projection and the probable outcome, Wade’s ceiling is just as high, and his floor is marginally better. Hauser should be able to match Wade step-for-step on both ends of the floor, but his return from offseason hip surgery, along with his slightly larger offensive role, creates just enough uncertainty to tip the scales in Wade’s favor.

Conveniently, we will get our answer to the Wade-Hauser question on Dec. 1, when Kansas State travels to Milwaukee for the first matchup of a two-year home-and-home series between the programs. The duel between Hauser and Wade will be worth the price of admission; toss in Howard and Barry Brown battling in the backcourt, and this game could be one of the best of the non-conference season.

College basketball may be a guard’s game, but these two forwards are critically important to the success of their respective programs. Wade has the early preseason edge, but the answer could easily flip towards Hauser come March.