UWM - Um, yeah. They're moving back to the Klotsche Center. Okay. For a school that thinks big, this seems odd. As for the team, they're a middle of the road Horizon team that means no post-season is likely.
UWGB - Green Bay came on strong in league play and the second half of their season last year. Led by a real big man, 7' 1" Alec Brown, the Phoenix have an outside shot at taking the Horizon league title and at the very least, will be a legitimate contender in the conference tournament. They're a solid 3rd in the Horizon behind Valpo and Detroit.
Wisconsin - A brutal off-season continued as they lost Josh Gasser for the season and Sideshow Mike for a month. The Vampire also got bad press for how he handled the Uthoff transfer but they do add Sam Dekker who is light years more talented than Gasser. People are expecting big things from "The Creature" Jared Berggren but, eh. Most Wisconsin big men top out by their 3rd year and show little improvement beyond that. I'd probaby expect a bigger jump from Frank Kaminsky. Zach Bohannon should provide solid minutes. They're high on George Marshall and most guys can handle the ball anyway. Projected 5th or 6th, you can always expect a higher finish out of them. Again, offense, while efficient, will be an issue. We hear every year how much more they'll get to the line and rarely do. Dekker will have to be that guy. I don't think a Sweet 16 trip is out of the question.
Marquette - Not to be outdone by their Madison neighbors, SG Todd Mayo was declared academically ineligible this week. More a depth issue than anything, methinks Mayo's time in Milwaukee may be over. The Warriors lost Big East POY Jae Crowder and DJO but added Trent Lockett late of ASU who should replace some of the scoring from the perimeter. FROSH Steve Taylor should see some serious court time and will be expected to contribute. Barring further injuries, they get Chris Otule for the season and Davante Gardner as well. They should be solid down low. Vander Blue is expected to take a larger role and early reports indicate a hard working off-season and a big jump is expected. Junior Cadougan runs the point. Good Cadougan usually results in wins and vice versa. Buzz will need a lot more good Cadougan. The next go-to-guy for the Warriors will be Jamil Wilson. From Hayward-to-Butler-to-Wilson, the beat goes on. Don't be surprised if he is a Big East first teamer. Marquette should be good for between 10-12 wins in the Big East with a Sweet 16 trip as the ceiling. But get excited, they have a top 5 class coming in next year to go with SR's Blue, Wilson & Gardner.
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How about my Gophers? Thanks, Saul Smith (Remember, I will be out as an assistant coach until December!)
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