This is Part 2 in our 4 part series as Ryan Ellerbusch takes a look back at the Marquette Golden Eagles players thus far and gives each postition a grade:
GUARDS : Grade B+
(Dwight Buycks, Junior Cadougan, Darius Johnson-Odom, Vander Blue, and Rob Frozena)
The importance of having a good backcourt has been a staple throughout the history of the Marquette basketball program and this year’s group of players are contributing by doing the things they know how to do best. Heading into the season, Dwight Buycks did not expect to be the starting point guard for the Golden Eagles, but has stepped into the role nicely and has kept up his scoring too, averaging 10.4 points per game in addition to leading the team in assists with 90. However, Buycks also leads the team in turnovers and that is where sophomore point guard Junior Cadougan has stepped up and excelled in that category this year. Cadougan is slated to be the point guard of the future for the Golden Eagles and has received a great deal of experience and playing time since the departure of freshman Reggie Smith who transferred during the early stages of the season. Cadougan’s progress over the next two years of his college career will definitely be exciting to watch him grow and lead Marquette. Starting the season off very slow shooting the ball, sophomore Darius Johnson-Odom has come on as of late and leads the Golden Eagles in scoring with 16.5 points per game. Johnson-Odom’s athleticism on his slam dunks and drives to the lane has been a big asset to not only the team, but to the Marquette Spirit Shop’s jersey sales too. Johnson-Odom is definitely showing scouts that he could potentially be an NBA caliber player one day and is a talented lefty who has a knack at finishing in the paint through traffic, which complements his great shooting stroke from the outside. Highly touted freshman Vander Blue has quietly made an impact this year not on the offensive end, but rather defensively. Blue has guarded some of the best talent in the Big East and isn’t getting quite the recognition he deserves because his performance game in and game out playing defense doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. Blue is continually improving on his defense and shot, which down the road, could make him an elite player and all-around threat which is his goal. Lastly, fan-favorite Rob Frozena has tallied 20 minutes and 5 points in his senior campaign and continues to be the energetic cheerleader on the bench that we all have come to love and appreciate over the years
Part 3 of 4 COMING SOON: Mid-Season Report Card - Marquette Forwards
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