It was nearly impossible to reach a consensus when it came to expectations for men’s basketball at the start of the year.
There was certainly talent there, but losing star big man Henry Ellenson to the NBA Draft left an enormous hole. Would the newcomers, transfers Andrew Rowsey and Katin Reinhardt and freshmen Markus Howard and Sam Hauser, be able to not only make up for Ellenson’s loss, but also help take Marquette to the next level?
The BIG EAST’s coaches weren’t sold and placed Marquette seventh in the preseason poll. Head coach Steve Wojciechowski wouldn’t pick where the team would finish in the BIG EAST Conference standings publicly, but he emitted an aura of positivity.