Marquette Basketball: What might make 2018-19 a special season?

Revamped defense?

Why not? Considering how poor Marquette’s defenses have been under head coach Steve Wojciechowski to this point, it is nearly impossible for the team to get worse on that end of the floor. So, having said this, any defensive improvement could go a long way for this time. And while I am not going to say that the Golden Eagles will have a stout defense by any stretch, simply having the ability to occasionally lockdown opponents for stretches could pay major dividends.

It is no secret that Marquette will be able to fill up the basket offensively. Quite simply, the Golden Eagles will be able to score almost at will against most opponents due to their talented and balanced offensive core. However, as has been discussed almost all offseason, Marquette’s ceiling seems limited based on the projection that the team will struggle defensively once again.

Yet, for seemingly the first time under Coach Wojo, the program added some significant defensive-oriented players heading into this season. For starters, Nebraska transfer Ed Morrow (sat out last season) projects as a solid frontcourt piece on the defensive end of the floor. Although not an offensive slouch (9.4 ppg as a sophomore for NEB in 2016-17), Morrow will be needed more for his defense this season. At 6-foot-7, he will bring plenty of size to the frontcourt and he also recorded a 5.4% block rate in two seasons with the Cornhuskers. This mark would have been second on the team for Marquette last season behind Theo John (7.1%).

Additionally, Fordham graduate transfer Joseph Chartouny projects as an immediate starter for the Golden Eagles. Well-known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation, Chartouny not only locks down opponents but also does a tremendous job forcing turnovers. During this past season, the 6-foot-3 led the nation in steals per game (3.3) and finished second nationally in steal percentage (5.6%). If he is able to post numbers even close to these during this coming season, then Marquette’s defense should vastly improve.

Despite all of this, though, I am still skeptical of Marquette’s defense. The additions of some quality individual defenders cannot turn around a dismal defense single-handedly, in my opinion. If Marquette is to contend for the Big East title this season, the coaching staff will need to focus on creating a sound team defense that takes into account individual strengths and defenses, even if this means the best five offensive players aren’t always on the floor in crunch time.