Coach Shaka Sensible mentioned he’s enthusiastic about his new-look but veteran-savvy Marquette workforce forward of the No. 18 Golden Eagles’ season opener Monday in opposition to Stony Brook in Milwaukee.
“A giant a part of that (transition) is getting our guys higher,” Sensible mentioned at Massive East media day final week. “Taking guys that performed help roles round Tyler Kolek and likewise (Oso) Ighodaro and serving to them develop into guys who can play bigger roles this 12 months.”
Sensible enters his fourth season at Marquette having compiled a 75-30 document. The workforce is contemporary off a Candy 16 look for the primary time in 11 seasons, ending 27-10 (14-6 Massive East). Marquette’s stellar season noticed a second straight journey to the Massive East match championship sport, shedding to eventual nationwide champion UConn, 73-57.
Turning the web page, Marquette returns important items.
These embody senior guard Kam Jones, named to the preseason All-Massive East first workforce, together with fellow senior guard Stevie Mitchell. Jones helped information the Golden Eagles’ offense, averaging 17.2 factors per sport.
Sensible mentioned he desires to see Jones take the following step towards turning into an NBA-caliber participant.
“I am gonna provide you with guys one thing nobody actually is aware of (about Jones), all proper,” Sensible mentioned. “He is a greater passer than you assume. So, you are gonna see this 12 months a extra dynamic playmaker in Kam Jones.
“You bought a bit little bit of a sneak peek of it when Tyler (Kolek) was out final 12 months. Keep in mind, he missed six video games within the convention match and the common season previous to that. (Jones) had 30 factors and 9 assists at Xavier in our final regular-season sport, and that sort of gave you a way of, ‘This man can rating and distribute on the similar time.'”
In the meantime, regardless of not having the paint presence as a prolific scorer, Mitchell has contributed productive minutes in each sport over the previous two seasons. This included a free-throw share of 76.6 p.c whereas capturing above 50 p.c from the sector final 12 months.
Stony Brook is coming off a 20-15 (10-8 Coastal Athletic Affiliation) season, falling in need of an NCAA Match bid after an 82-79 time beyond regulation loss to top-seeded Charleston in March within the CAA championship. This preseason, the convention coaches projected Stony Brook would end ninth within the 14-team CAA.
Coming into the season opener, Stony Brook brings a plethora of expertise. Eight upperclassmen make up a deep roster underneath coach Geno Ford, who’s getting into his sixth season.
Final 12 months, now-senior guard Andre Snoddy was a shiny spot for the offense. His finest statistical sport noticed him rating 17 factors on 8-of-19 capturing and seize 11 rebounds in an 80-74 loss to Hofstra on Jan. 22.
The sport is a part of the Marquette Problem multi-team occasion, that includes George Mason and Central Michigan to spherical out the Golden Eagles’ first three opponents.
–Subject Stage Media
