Busting Brackets
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Marquette Basketball: Projecting Golden Eagles’ 2019-20 rotation

By Brian Foley

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 18: Cortez Seales #15 of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks attempts a shot between Brendan Bailey #1 and Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 18: Cortez Seales #15 of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks attempts a shot between Brendan Bailey #1 and Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 28: Eddie Reese #22 of the Southern Jaguars handles the ball while being guarded by Jamal Cain #23 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 28, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 28: Eddie Reese #22 of the Southern Jaguars handles the ball while being guarded by Jamal Cain #23 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 28, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Total Minutes

Here is a projection of the minutes for all 11 aforementioned players, as well as the difference in per-game minutes from their most recent season of college basketball:

"M. Howard: 31 (-2.5) K. McEwen: 26 (-6.3) S. Anim: 25 (-5.2) T. John: 22 (+2.3) B. Bailey: 22 (+7.9) G. Elliott: 21 (+2.7) J. Johnson: 14 (-7.9) E. Morrow: 14 (-1.0) J. Cain: 11 (+2.3) S. Torrence: 8 (n/a) D. Akanno: 6 (n/a)"

The season-ending rotation will almost certainly not work out this way. A potential redshirt, injury, or benching – all legitimate possibilities – will shift more minutes to the starters. 6-foot-9 redshirt sophomore Ike Eke, who missed each of his first two seasons with a back injury, could also factor in at some point, but for now, it’s hard to know if he will ever play a college basketball game. Walk-ons will also assume some scant minutes in garbage time.

This minutes projection is more useful as a potential depth chart tool than a hard-and-fast clock counter. If we use it in that generalized vein, these predictions seem to line up with team-wide expectations. Howard will be the star leading the team in minutes. McEwen, Anim, Bailey, and John will fill out the starting lineup. Elliott, Johnson, and Morrow will provide critical depth, while Cain, Torrence, and Akanno are the fickle dark horses capable of some winning plays off the deep bench every few games.

Next. 25 most impactful freshman for 2019-20. dark

Maintaining an 11-man rotation is nearly impossible, so it will be up to Wojciechowski and staff to keep players engaged even if their minutes dip. After a gut-wrenching 1-6 finish to 2018-19 and an offseason featuring a pair of shocking transfers, Wojo must prove he can handle his locker room and lead Marquette to a complete season.

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