Marquette Basketball: Predictions for Golden Eagles' 2014-15 Team Awards
The 2013-14 season was a disappointing one for the Marquette Golden Eagles, to say the very least. MU was pegged as the favorites to win the inaugural new Big East Conference, but it ended up missing all postseason tournaments.
To make matters worse, head coach Buzz Williams took the head coaching job at Virginia Tech, a puzzling move to many college basketball experts.
Williams' departure wasn't mourned for long, as the Golden Eagles landed longtime Duke assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski.
The expectations for the 2014-15 season are not particularly high for Marquette, but that may be the way it likes it. After Villanova, the Big East appears to be up for grabs. Marquette's roster contains only 11 players after senior Todd Mayo's recent departure.
On top of that, Wally Ellenson (Minnesota) must sit the entire season due to transfer restrictions, while Luke Fischer (Indiana) will be eligible upon completion of the fall semester. Sandy Cohen is the team's lone remaining freshman, after a pair of recruits followed Williams to Blacksburg.
Most Valuable Player
Though Deonte Burton finished fifth for the Golden Eagles in scoring a season ago, it was no secret that he provided an instant offense-type punch in his limited minutes.
Burton averaged 6.9 points per game as a true freshman, despite playing only 12.6 minutes over the course of Marquette's 32 games.
Burton played his best basketball toward the end of the season, scoring in double figures in seven of the team's final 11 games, including each of the final four ballgames. Burton dropped a season-high 23 points during 24 minutes of action in the Golden Eagles' season-ending loss to Xavier.
Despite standing only 6'4", the 240-pound Burton will be seeing plenty of minutes at power forward for the height-challenged Golden Eagles. Expect Burton to be a man on a mission and play inspired basketball, following the death of his mother this offseason.
Most Improved Player
Also a true freshman in 2013-14, Jajuan Johnson averaged 4.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.5 minutes of playing time.
Johnson saw action in 21 of 32 games, but unlike Burton, he played his best basketball early on in his initial collegiate season.
Johnson scored in double figures five times during nonconference play, including an 18-point effort on Thanksgiving Day at Cal State Fullerton.
Once Big East play came around, however, Johnson only scored a total of 16 points. In fact, he only saw the court in nine of 18 league games.
Johnson, a 6'5" wing from Memphis, should see the court early and often as a sophomore. He is not only a sharpshooter from behind the arc, but he also has the length and athleticism to attack the rack.
He could very well be a part of Marquette's top three scorers, alongside Burton and BYU transfer Matt Carlino.
Miscellaneous Awards
Sixth Man of the Year: John Dawson
Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick Wilson
Rebounding Effort: Steve Taylor Jr.
Create for Others: Duane Wilson
Lazar Hayward "Everyday Tough" Award: Juan Anderson
Darius Johnson-Odom "Sacrifice For The String" Award: Matt Carlino
Character Revealed Award: Luke Fischer
While the team's starting lineup is still very much in the air, Dawson appears to be behind fellow point guards Derrick Wilson, Duane Wilson and Carlino on the depth chart. Still, Dawson is capable of scoring in bunches once Coach Wojo calls his name to enter into the game.
While Derrick Wilson's offense may be lacking, he is a top-notch on-ball defender. Wilson led the team in minutes played last season and averaged 1.3 steals per game. Taylor Jr. will be Marquette's center by default, at least until Fischer becomes eligible in December.
Duane Wilson, who redshirted a season ago, is a hometown kid from Milwaukee Dominican High School. He appears to be the best distributor in a loaded Golden Eagle backcourt.
Senior Juan Anderson will need to be a leader both vocally and by example. Anderson will make plays that don't show up on the scoresheet, but ones that are needed to help your squad win games.
Carlino is known for being a fiery competitor. Carlino's last game at Brigham Young came in Milwaukee, that being an NCAA tournament second-round blowout loss to Oregon. Carlino is a streaky shooter who will bring an excitement factor on the offensive end.
The addition of Fischer will be a necessary one once Big East play rolls around, as he and Taylor Jr. provide the only inside presences for the team. Look for Fischer and 2015 recruit Henry Ellenson to form a top frontcourt a season from now.