Game Preview - November 5 vs. Cardinal Stritch (Exhibition)
Put on your golden t-shirt, get on your feet and work yourself into a frenzy, 'cuz it's time for Marquette basketball! After a seven and a half month layoff, the Warriors of Milwaukee will step back onto the hardwood at the Bradley Center and take on Cardinal Stritch in an exhibition matchup.
MU is coming off a 20-11 season that ended disappointingly with a first round loss at San Diego's Cox Arena against Alabama in the first round of the NCAA tournament. But that's history and don't expect to hear too much about it from here on out. That loss stung and it stuck in the minds of Marquette fans everywhere all offseason, but it will all be forgotten the second that Dominic James, Wes Matthews and Jerel McNeal lead the Warriors onto the court, even if it is only an exhibition.
Look for the Warriors to try and establish themselves early, as they are looking to run a more fast paced offense this year a style that should suit them well. The three sophomores are three guys on this team that no needs to worry about; they will get their points, play solid defense, be strong leaders on the floor, and will all be improved over what was a very strong freshman season. All three have shown better, more consistent jump shots in public scrimmages, and I expect big things from all of them. Returnees Ousmane Barro, Dan Fitzgerald and Jamil Lott are also looking to improve and play bigger parts than they did last season.
But it's not all about guys coming back and getting better; there are a few newcomers looking to make big contributions as well. Freshmen Lazar Hayward and David Cubillan and transfer Lawrence "Trend" Blackledge are looking to make their respective marks, too. Hayward is a highly touted recruit who should add a nice outside shooting touch and some decent rebounding, however due to missing over a month of team workouts because of an NCAA investigation will probably offer small contributions initially while he gets into the flow of things. Cubillan is a deadly outside shooter who will have on and off nights as he adjusts to Division 1 basketball, but will be a big asset to this team. Blackledge is very long and athletic, and will be able to make a lot of plays that will leave people's jaws on the floor.
Don't expect everyone to have a great night right out of the gate, but don't be surprised if the Warriors take care of business tonight.
Prediction: 83-59 Warriors
MU is coming off a 20-11 season that ended disappointingly with a first round loss at San Diego's Cox Arena against Alabama in the first round of the NCAA tournament. But that's history and don't expect to hear too much about it from here on out. That loss stung and it stuck in the minds of Marquette fans everywhere all offseason, but it will all be forgotten the second that Dominic James, Wes Matthews and Jerel McNeal lead the Warriors onto the court, even if it is only an exhibition.
Look for the Warriors to try and establish themselves early, as they are looking to run a more fast paced offense this year a style that should suit them well. The three sophomores are three guys on this team that no needs to worry about; they will get their points, play solid defense, be strong leaders on the floor, and will all be improved over what was a very strong freshman season. All three have shown better, more consistent jump shots in public scrimmages, and I expect big things from all of them. Returnees Ousmane Barro, Dan Fitzgerald and Jamil Lott are also looking to improve and play bigger parts than they did last season.
But it's not all about guys coming back and getting better; there are a few newcomers looking to make big contributions as well. Freshmen Lazar Hayward and David Cubillan and transfer Lawrence "Trend" Blackledge are looking to make their respective marks, too. Hayward is a highly touted recruit who should add a nice outside shooting touch and some decent rebounding, however due to missing over a month of team workouts because of an NCAA investigation will probably offer small contributions initially while he gets into the flow of things. Cubillan is a deadly outside shooter who will have on and off nights as he adjusts to Division 1 basketball, but will be a big asset to this team. Blackledge is very long and athletic, and will be able to make a lot of plays that will leave people's jaws on the floor.
Don't expect everyone to have a great night right out of the gate, but don't be surprised if the Warriors take care of business tonight.
Prediction: 83-59 Warriors
posted by Rob Stack @ 4:25 PM
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