Marquette Basketball: Returning talent the path to another Big East title

Marquette Basketball looks to make it back-to-back Big East titles this season, despite having two other top-10 caliber teams to deal with.

Last season, the Marquette Basketball embarked on a transformative quest that started without even a sniff of a preseason ranking but in the end would culminate with not only a regular season championship but also a Big East title. While ultimately their journey may have ended sooner than most expected, it was a remarkable season and an unlikely story of triumph over adversity.

As they look ahead to the upcoming 2023-24 season, the buzz surrounding the Golden Eagles is palpable. Once again led by head coach Shaka Smart, the 2022-23 Henry Iba National Coach of the Year, the Golden Eagles return eight of the nine top scorers from last season including the Big East Player of the Year, Tyler Kolek.

Kolek, the Marquette senior point guard, has been named among the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award. The Bob Cousy Award, established by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in its 21st year, is a distinguished recognition in the realm of college basketball. Kolek joins 19 of the best point guards in the nation in pursuit of this prestigious award. Past winners of The Bob Cousy Award include such recognizable names as Ja Morant, Jalen Brunson and Kemba Walker.

Kolek is joined by a strong core of returning players, including sharpshooter Kam Jones, big man Oso Ighodaro, do-everything forward David Joplin, and shifty guards Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross. Coach Shaka Smart also welcomes in a batch of new recruits, as well as the continued development of sophomores Ben Gold and Jonah Lucas. With the nucleus of the team returning and a strong rotation of role-players contributing to the mix, experience and team chemistry will play a strong factor in the team’s success as they set their sights on another Big East title.

The 2023-24 Golden Eagles look to keep the momentum rolling from last year’s success. With the return of four starters and eight rotation players, their ambitions extend beyond establishing themselves as a prominent Big East squad; they are resolute in building a season destined for a championship run in March.

With their collective experience, one of the nation’s top coaches, and a system designed for success, the Marquette Golden Eagles are not just on the college basketball radar; they’re emerging as one of the top teams to watch this upcoming season.