Wisconsin basketball: Marquette Golden Eagles 2019-20 preview

Marquette

Nickname: Golden Eagles

Conference: Big East

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Website: https://gomarquette.com/index.aspx?path=mbball

Head coach: Steve Wojciechowski, fourth season

2018-19 record: 24-10 (12-6 in Big East)

Last time in NCAA Tournament: 2019 season, lost in first round to Murray State

Top three returning scorers: Markus Howard, senior, guard, 25 ppg; Sacar Anim, RS senior, guard/forward, 8.3 ppg; Ed Morrow, RS senior, forward, 5.6 ppg.

Key loss: Sam Hauser, forward, 14.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 88 3PTM, transferred to Virginia.

Joey Hauser, forward, 9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 45 3PTM, transferred to Michigan State.

Exciting newcomer: Symir Torrence , true freshman, guard, from Syracuse, New York. The combo guard is a four-star recruit who is a strong point guard, but he also possess the ability to score the ball well, especially behind the arc. I believe that he will see time in the rotation this season alongside Markus Howard, and also could spell the star point guard at times as well.

Date of game: Sunday, Nov. 17th, noon CT, ESPN

Location: Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin

Preview: The Marquette offense runs through Markus Howard. The stud guard scored 40 points or more on multiple occasions last year, and has the ball in his hands to score or distribute the majority of the time. The Hauser brothers will be a big loss for the team, especially Sam Hauser who was a do it all player for the Golden Eagles. Marquette still has Ed Morrow and Theo John to hold down the post area, but where the rest of the offense comes from will be the thing to watch for their season.

Marquette will be battling through a tough Big East schedule this year, but having one of the best pure scoring threats in the nation will definitely help mask some of their deficiencies. If top-100 freshman talent Symir Torrence can develop and help the Marquette backcourt, the team could be primed for another NCAA tournament appearance.

Prediction: Badgers win 73 - 65