6. Zane Martin, 6’4 Guard (Towson > New Mexico)
Martin is a big-bodied guard who thrives finishing at the rim with his quick first step and brute physicality. In addition to his ability to score at the basket, Martin is an accurate volume shooter from the three-point line. Paul Weir is getting a bulldog guard who boasts a chippiness and a variety of impactful skills that will help the Lobos win games THIS year. Zane Martin will become a household name in the Mountain West by the end of the season for his aggression and bonanza scoring.
5. Koby McEwen, 6’4 Guard (Utah St > Marquette)
Koby is a smaller, less athletic version of the previous Black Mamba, but he still packs a punch at the college level. McEwen is an athletic wing who will be a nice change of pace after Marquette’s experiences with the slower Hauser brothers and sub-six-foot Markus Howard. Howard, one of the nation’s leading scorers is back, but with an athletic scoring wing as a partner. McEwen has the build and athleticism of a high-major player and produced numbers over his first two seasons at Utah State which reflected that sentiment.
In order to maximize his contributions to Marquette, Koby will need to develop this three-point shot from a reliability standpoint. In 2018, his sophomore season, he shot just 33% from the three-point line on nearly seven attempts per game. As a freshman, he took fewer shots but connected on 42% of his long balls, a number that would unlock the Golden Eagle offense if rediscovered.
Overall, I think McEwen has the potential to be a major player on the national stage. With his raw physical tools and ability to create shots at all three phases, he will certainly help levy the loss of the Hauser brothers. And here’s some Insider Trading for you: I think Koby is better offensively and defensively than either of the Hauser’s. So Marquette fans, take solace.