Many VERY Early Projections for 2013-14 Have Us in Top 10 [Archive]

ge1974

04-09-2013, 10:09 AM

No more hiding in the bushes for MU. This repect is testimony to Buzz and the players:

ESPN: #9

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9147684/very-early-top-25-2013-14-season-ncaa-men-college-basketball

USA Today: #7

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/04/09/forecasting-the-ncaa-basketball-top-25-in-2013-14/2061989/

RealGM: #8

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/227109/2013-2014-Preseason-Top-25

Lost Lettermen: #6

http://www.lostlettermen.com/way-too-early-cbb-preseason-top-25/

IWB

04-09-2013, 10:16 AM

Very telling for the MU administration......

ESPN: 9. Marquette Golden Eagles: If the 2012-13 season taught us anything, it's not to count out Marquette. Not as long as Buzz Williams is its coach.

USA Today: No. 7 Marquette (26-9, lost in Elite Eight): The reigning Big East regular-season co-champions lose guard Junior Cadougan and Trent Lockett but should return leading scorers Vander Blue and Davante Gardner — not to mention the fiery coach Buzz Williams. With a younger group of players set to take on larger roles and the Eagles' NCAA tourney prowess, Marquette's defensive strengths should bode well in the new Big East.

RealGM: Marquette: Vander Blue, Davante Gardner, and Jamil Wilson are back. Buzz Williams has his best recruiting class yet, and the team should have more Top 100 talent than it has ever had in his tenure. Plus Buzz Williams gets the most out of his players by studying the data and eliminating bad possessions. Still, even if the model likes Marquette as a top 10 team, I am concerned that Williams typically has a short-leash with his freshmen. And if they don’t contribute, Marquette may still lack the talent to be an elite team.

Lost Lettermen: With three straight appearances in the Sweet Sixteen or further, Buzz Williams has proven to be a master at maximizing talent that, on paper, doesn’t stack up to the Golden Eagles’ conference rivals. Next year he’ll have the added advantage of returning his three leading scorers (all of whom will be seniors) from an Elite Eight team.

The national media believes that Buzz Williams is the key to MU's success, time to lock him up long term.