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Making the Sweet Sixteen last year, Marquette has high hopes this year after returning 66% of their minutes from last year (12th in the nation), including three of their starters - Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell and David Joplin – as well Ben Gold and Chase Ross, two key rotation players that played close to starter’s minutes last year.
Last year, Oso Ighodaro was one of the best passing bigs in the nation, so the transition of him to Ben Gold as the starting center has somewhat affected Marquette’s all-around ball movement with Kam Jones becoming the team’s clear cut all-around offensive creator, leading the team not only in points (18.9 ppg), but also assists (6.3 apg). Adding in the fact that Tyler Kolek is now in the pros, the 6’5 200 Jones is now the clear focus for defenses. Speaking of defense, Kam Jones’ defensive metrics are much stronger this year, but that is because he now only needs to focus on opponents’ third best backcourt option, since the defense of his backcourt mates Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross is so strong.
Speaking of Mitchell, he continues to be one the toughest on-ball defenders in the Big East and he owns the 7th highest steal rate in the nation and is exceptionally efficient on offense (5th highest offensive rating in the Big East, per KenPom, highlighted with a 42% from three). His toughness and defensive versatility pairs excellently with Kam Jones and the biggest improvement in Mitchell’s game this year has been his improved ability to breakdown defenders and get to the rim. Mitchell will be on Ball most of the game.
Last year, Chase Ross quickly developed into an excellent three-and-D wing who comfortably guard us from 1-to-4, but he’s added much of an offensive flavor to his profile thanks to his ability to slash, create off the dribble and comfort shooting from all three-levels. At 6’5 210, Ross is 6th in the Big East in steal rate and 13th in block rate and I’d imagine he’ll shadow McNeeley all game.
Off the bench sophomores Tre Norman and Zaide Lowery can play both the 2 and the 3. Norman is a physical wing who is the better defender while Lowery is the much more efficient offensive player, but isn’t as strong on defense. 6’7 freshman Damarius Owens plays sparingly as a off-the-bench spacer.
If there’s an advantage for UConn, it’s in the frontcourt. Power forward David Joplin is not only one of Marquette’s weaker starters on defense, but while his scoring levels are high, his efficiency levels from three - 28% in conference play - have been a major struggle. On the flip side, Joplin still remains one of the more creative and efficient interior scorers in the conference. Despite Joplin’s defensive struggles, Karaban hasn’t necessarily broken out against Marquette, scoring seven or less points of two of the three games last season. However, Oso was a much better last resort defender than Ben Gold, so I’d like to see Karaban attack the rim more when Gold is in.
Speaking of Gold, the 6’11 235 New Zealander is one of the best spacers in the Big East (44 3P% in conference play) and over 3/4ths of his shot attempts are from three. An average rim protector, there’s a clear downgrade at the center position between Oso and Gold, so I’d love to see Reed mine Gold for low-post scoring opportunities and even Samson utilizing his athleticism to sneak in a few buckets.
Freshman Royce Parham is the key backup at the 4 and the 5 and his combination of size (6’8 230), shooting willingness (~ 3 3PAs per game, 28% from three) and defensive ability makes him a solid backup for now and a guy to see to develop in the future. When Marquette needs even more muscle down low, 6’9 250 freshman Caedin Hamilton gets spare minutes, but according to EvanMiya, he ranks as Marquette’s least efficient offensive and defensive player.
Marquette is clearly the top team in the Big East, but UConn has a distinct advantage interiorally on both sides of the floor. On offense, UConn has a 59.0 2P% which ranks for 8th in the nation while Marquette’s 52.9 2P% on defense is 253rd. The strength of Marquette’s defense is in its backcourt, so UConn center Tarris Reed could be poised for another big game following his 16-point bench performance on Wednesday against DePaul. UConn’s perimeter defense is still poor (opponents are shooting 37% from three, which is 336th in the nation), but Marquette’s three-point shooters are struggling as well, especially David Joplin and Kam Jones, who are both shooting under 30% in conference play. If Marquette’s threes continue to struggle to fall, UConn’s strength is two-point defense.
Should be a good one!
Last year, Oso Ighodaro was one of the best passing bigs in the nation, so the transition of him to Ben Gold as the starting center has somewhat affected Marquette’s all-around ball movement with Kam Jones becoming the team’s clear cut all-around offensive creator, leading the team not only in points (18.9 ppg), but also assists (6.3 apg). Adding in the fact that Tyler Kolek is now in the pros, the 6’5 200 Jones is now the clear focus for defenses. Speaking of defense, Kam Jones’ defensive metrics are much stronger this year, but that is because he now only needs to focus on opponents’ third best backcourt option, since the defense of his backcourt mates Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross is so strong.
Speaking of Mitchell, he continues to be one the toughest on-ball defenders in the Big East and he owns the 7th highest steal rate in the nation and is exceptionally efficient on offense (5th highest offensive rating in the Big East, per KenPom, highlighted with a 42% from three). His toughness and defensive versatility pairs excellently with Kam Jones and the biggest improvement in Mitchell’s game this year has been his improved ability to breakdown defenders and get to the rim. Mitchell will be on Ball most of the game.
Last year, Chase Ross quickly developed into an excellent three-and-D wing who comfortably guard us from 1-to-4, but he’s added much of an offensive flavor to his profile thanks to his ability to slash, create off the dribble and comfort shooting from all three-levels. At 6’5 210, Ross is 6th in the Big East in steal rate and 13th in block rate and I’d imagine he’ll shadow McNeeley all game.
Off the bench sophomores Tre Norman and Zaide Lowery can play both the 2 and the 3. Norman is a physical wing who is the better defender while Lowery is the much more efficient offensive player, but isn’t as strong on defense. 6’7 freshman Damarius Owens plays sparingly as a off-the-bench spacer.
If there’s an advantage for UConn, it’s in the frontcourt. Power forward David Joplin is not only one of Marquette’s weaker starters on defense, but while his scoring levels are high, his efficiency levels from three - 28% in conference play - have been a major struggle. On the flip side, Joplin still remains one of the more creative and efficient interior scorers in the conference. Despite Joplin’s defensive struggles, Karaban hasn’t necessarily broken out against Marquette, scoring seven or less points of two of the three games last season. However, Oso was a much better last resort defender than Ben Gold, so I’d like to see Karaban attack the rim more when Gold is in.
Speaking of Gold, the 6’11 235 New Zealander is one of the best spacers in the Big East (44 3P% in conference play) and over 3/4ths of his shot attempts are from three. An average rim protector, there’s a clear downgrade at the center position between Oso and Gold, so I’d love to see Reed mine Gold for low-post scoring opportunities and even Samson utilizing his athleticism to sneak in a few buckets.
Freshman Royce Parham is the key backup at the 4 and the 5 and his combination of size (6’8 230), shooting willingness (~ 3 3PAs per game, 28% from three) and defensive ability makes him a solid backup for now and a guy to see to develop in the future. When Marquette needs even more muscle down low, 6’9 250 freshman Caedin Hamilton gets spare minutes, but according to EvanMiya, he ranks as Marquette’s least efficient offensive and defensive player.
Marquette is clearly the top team in the Big East, but UConn has a distinct advantage interiorally on both sides of the floor. On offense, UConn has a 59.0 2P% which ranks for 8th in the nation while Marquette’s 52.9 2P% on defense is 253rd. The strength of Marquette’s defense is in its backcourt, so UConn center Tarris Reed could be poised for another big game following his 16-point bench performance on Wednesday against DePaul. UConn’s perimeter defense is still poor (opponents are shooting 37% from three, which is 336th in the nation), but Marquette’s three-point shooters are struggling as well, especially David Joplin and Kam Jones, who are both shooting under 30% in conference play. If Marquette’s threes continue to struggle to fall, UConn’s strength is two-point defense.
Should be a good one!
