Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Analyzing early 2019 recruiting classes

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: A Villanova Wildcats basketball goes through the net during warmups prior to the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: A Villanova Wildcats basketball goes through the net during warmups prior to the game against the Seton Hall Pirates at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 27: Coach Wojciechowski of Marquette reacts. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 27: Coach Wojciechowski of Marquette reacts. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

9. Marquette Golden Eagles

National Ranking: No. 136

Marquette is the top team in the Big East at this point in time and they will not graduate a ton of talent after the year either. Because of this, one should expect that the Golden Eagles will once again be one of the favorites to win the league next season despite the fact that their 2019 recruiting class is near the bottom of the conference at this moment. So far in the recruiting season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski and Co. have only landed one commit in the form of 6-foot-4 combo guard Dexter Akanno.

Akanno, out of Blair Academy in New Jersey, is ranked as just the No. 352 player in the class. It is clear, though, that he has the physical tools needed to develop into a high-quality player down the road. Due to his height and athleticism, Akanno projects as a strong defender, above-average rebounder, and capable playmaker. Marquette Hoops on 247Sports compares his rating to that of Theo John in that he “meets the eye test for size, shooting, defending, and toughness. He has a 6-foot-8 wingspan and looks like he will be the ultimate replacement for…Sacar Anim.”

In addition to landing Akanno, the Golden Eagles will welcome talented transfer Koby McEwen to the Fiserv Forum playing court next season. McEwen is not technically a part of the recruiting class but I wanted to mention how impactful he could be anyways. In two seasons with Utah State, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 15.0 points (.427/.367/.726), 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. That is a scary piece to add next to Markus Howard, as is the healthy return of Greg Elliot.

Marquette has one scholarship remaining in the class, but I would expect that they hold onto it until 2020 unless a highly-touted transfer expresses interest.

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