Big East Basketball: 2019 recruiting needs for each program

Marquette Golden Eagles

Biggest Needs: Defensive assets and/or long-term projects

Marquette basketball has experienced limited success to this point under head coach Steve Wojciechowski. After making the NCAA Tournament in eight of the prior nine seasons, the Golden Eagles have only gone dancing one time in the first four years of Wojo’s reign. Yet, as we look ahead to this upcoming campaign, it is clear that he has assembled his most talented team yet on both ends of the floor. And with this being said, an NCAA Tournament berth should be expected.

However, what makes this roster so potentially special is that, barring any NBA Draft decisions, only two major contributors (Matt Heldt and Joseph Chartouny) will depart after this season. This would leave the majority of the roster returning for what could be a sensational 2019-20 season. Considering this, the 2019 recruiting class will most likely need to provide assets that can either develop into something down the road or immediately improve Marquette’s defense, which has been a weakness for years.

As of right now (Sept. 30), Coach Wojo’s only 2019 commitment is 6-foot-4 combo guard Dexter Akanno. Ranked at No. 361 in the class, Akanno might not be the most highly-touted player but he could develop well in the future. Coach Wojo is entering a pivotal stretch of years as the head coach at Marquette and focusing in on these recruiting needs as well as improving his in-game strategy will be vital to success.