Marquette Information

[ORUTerry]

Here is the link to their Rivals.com message board:

http://marquette.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=987&fid=442&style=1

[ORU-sisko]

http://www.gomarquette.com/

[ORUTerry]

The CSTV web site projected Marquette as 12th in the new Big East:

12. Marquette

Location: Milwaukee, Wis.

Homecourt (Capacity): Bradley Center (18,850)

2004-05 Record (Conference USA): 19-12 (7-9, 9th)

Nickname: Golden Eagles

Coach (Record): Tom Crean (At Marquette: 121-65, 6 years; Career: 121-65, 6 years)

Team Wins (Last Five Years): 15-26-27-19-19

RPI (Last Five Years): 106-26-7-74-89

Famous Non-Basketball Alumni: Chris Farley, comedian and film star; Matthew Lesko, television commercial and infomercial personality ("Free Money To Change Your Life")

After losing a pair of standout guards in the offseason that averaged double figures -- Travis Diener (to the NBA draft) and Dameon Mason (to transfer) -- Marquette enters the Big East a program in transition. A total of seven Golden Eagles are newcomers to Division I.

Senior Steve Novak, a 6-10 forward, gives Crean a big-time downtown threat with the range and mettle of a Gerry McNamara. One of the best shooters in Division I, having connecting on 46.1 percent of his shots from three-point range (89-of-193), the Wisconsin native is just 52 trifectas short of Deiner's program record (284). He's also one of the nation's better free-throw shooters, sinking 90.5 percent of his attempts from the stripe.

Marquette's only other returning starter is Joe Chapman, a capable 6-4 shooting guard who tallied 8.1 points per game in 2004-05. Frosh Dominic James, who averaged an Indiana state-best 31.1 points as a high school senior, will assume point guard duties.

It's an open battle for the frontcourt slots aside Novak. 6-8, 242-pound sophomore Ryan Amoroso, a skilled forward who averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 boards in 15.2 minutes, should earn a starting role. Ousmane Barro (6-10, 235 lbs.), Dan Fitzgerald (6-9, 200 lbs.) and Chris Grimm (6-10, 245 lbs.) -- all unproven reserve players -- will each compete for playing time.

The program's six-man recruiting class is Crean's best since arriving in Milwaukee. James will start immediately, while 6-5 Wesley Matthews and 6-3 Jerel McNeal will see significant minutes in supporting roles. At forward, 6-7 Jamil Lott could vie for a starting spot, while 6-8 Dwight Burke is considered more of a project. Matt Mortensen, a 6-6 forward from Utah, is a lights-out shooter who will also see minutes as a reserve.

Prognosis: Marquette's frontcourt dearth could spell its doom through its inaugural Big East go-round. But if the Golden Eagles don't get buried when conference play begins, a return trip to the NIT should be in order.

[ORUTerry]

Here is the link to the Marquette preview on College Hoops Net:

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/preview/2005/105.htm