Although falling short in the NCAA Tournament, Marquette comes off one of their best seasons in program history. After winning the Regular and Conference tournaments for the Big East, the Golden Eagles look to do more this season.
Returning their two leading scorers from last season, Marquette is a Preseason Top 5 team in the country. There are a lot of expectations for Shaka Smart’s team this upcoming season.
Marquette Basketball Preseason Addition
What Helped Marquette Find Success?
Offensive Efficiency
Marquette basketball was one of the best offenses in the country in the 2022-2023 season. Ranking 12th in offensive efficiency, they bring back their two leading scorers and a good supporting cast. They run a lot of ball screens, hand-offs and try to break teams down off the dribble. Their offense led them to have the country’s seventh-best effective field goal percentage at 56%. Having an efficient offense that generates good shooting percentages will make that team successful. For Marquette, their success revolved around their highly efficient offense.
Their Ball Movement
Marquette was an excellent passing team this past season. They were sixth in assists per game at 17.3, which means they play team basketball. Shaka’s team did a great job of not allowing the ball to stick and ensuring everyone got involved in the offense. More specifically, their guard play was excellent in finding the open man and keeping the ball hopping from player to player. If they continue to do this next season, it will be a successful season for the Golden Eagles.
Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones
After being both an All-Conference selection, Kam Jones and Tyler Kolek found success playing as the lead guards for Marquette. Kolek was the Big East Player of the Year, leading the Big East in assists with 270 total. Jones led the Golden Eagles in scoring last season. Both players are electric. Kolek is a very smart point guard, who passes at a high level, can shoot the ball from the midrange and three, and finishes well around the rim. Kolek also leads the conference in the assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.22. Jones is another dynamic shooter who can also attack the basket and shoot the ball from deep range. Marquette found high success with those two guards, and they need to produce again this season. Marquette rides with Kolek and Jones.
Areas of Improvement
Defense
Marquette was not of the best defensive teams last season. Ironically, Shaka Smart is known as a defensive coach, but Marquette was not elite in that department. They were 92nd in Defensive Efficiency out of 363 teams. While seeming to be ok, it was their weakness last season, and they must improve. More concerning, Marquette was 186th in the country in field goal percentage defense. Teams score easily. More specifically, teams score the easiest from three, whereas the Golden Eagles were 230th in the country in the opponent’s three-point shooting percentage.
Marquette’s perimeter defenders need to step up and guard the three-point line better this season. While Marquette is an excellent offensive group, they must improve on the defensive end to make a better run in the NCAA Tournament.
Last Word on Marquette Basketball
Marquette basketball is going to be an excellent team this upcoming season. Marquette possesses two of the better guards in the country and an excellent offensive formula. There should be a lot of expectations for the Golden Eagles this season.
Shaka Smart has much to prove in the successful Big East Conference this season. Marquette has the personnel to get it done in March, but their defense must catch up this season to help them get to a Final Four.
Expectations are high, which either helps a team propel to the top or creates a stumbling disappointment. Marquette will have to decide what team they will be this season.
Will Marquette live up to their ranking? Time will tell.
