Marquette March Madness mailbag: Questions about MU's offense; will Shaka Smart leave after NCAA tournament?
March Madness is upon us.
The seventh-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles will take on 10th-seeded New Mexico in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday in Cleveland.
Ahead of the game, the Journal Sentinel asked readers for questions about MU.
Marquette's inside presence with Ben Gold questioned
In watching MU play 30-plus games, do you feel that the team gets outmuscled a little, some, a lot?
How long will Smart stick with Ben Gold ? No offense and a defensive liability!
Ben Steele: The frontcourt depth was the biggest question about this team heading into the season. When Ben Gold is hitting outside shots, it gives MU a totally different look than recent seasons. He's not a banger, so he will have trouble with physical big men (like St. John's center Zuby Ejiofor), but when MU's offense is rolling like early in the season, the Golden Eagles can overcome that. Caedin Hamilton had a big summer, and it looked like he could provide a thicker body down low, but in retrospect it was probably too much to ask of a guy who was a late-bloomer in high school and is still early in his development. Royce Parham hits the boards hard, but he turned 18 in the summer and just isn't physically ready to match up with 22- and 23-year-olds.
New Mexico has Donovan Dent ... and who else?
Kam Jones and Donovan Dent will get the headlines, and rightfully so, but can you name a player from Marquette and New Mexico that may be the real key to each team winning?
Can the MU guards stay out of foul trouble against a team that drives to the hoop so much?
Ben Steele: I was just watching New Mexico's game with St. John's from early in the season, and Lobos big man Nelly Junior Joseph kind of looked like Zuby Ejiofor from the Red Storm. Strong body, attacks the glass. As stated in the first set of questions, those players can vex MU. On MU's side, I would say Chase Ross because his freelance double-teams were awesome in non-conference games against teams that hadn't faced MU's defense. We'll see if he can do that against guards like Dent and also big men like Joseph. Also, when Ross provides scoring like he did against Xavier in the Big East quarterfinals (16 points), then the Golden Eagles are dangerous. Ross could also alternate with Stevie Mitchell in guarding Dent so they don't get into foul trouble.
I thought Damarius Owens would have a bigger impact this season. I still think he will over his career. Can you point to anything that held him back this season?
Ben Steele: The biggest hindrance was groin and toe injuries in the preseason that kept him out for several crucial weeks and the first three games. It felt like Owens has been playing catch-up since then. The physical talent is there, but he struggles on defense – as most freshmen do – and then Shaka Smart pulls him from games.
Fans wonder about redshirting center Josh Clark
Can you please tell us more about Joshua Clark ? He sat out this season. He had a very good scrimmage before the season started. Steele: Clark is a legit 7-foot-1 and his wingspan is 7-5-ish. He's still very skinny, but is working with MU's Todd Smith in the weight room, though it will be a long process with his frame. MU coaches are also working with Clark about playing with aggression. As we have seen with Hamilton, it takes some time for players to adjust to playing in college games after a redshirt season. So it could take a few seasons ... but 7-1 is 7-1. He can affect games on both ends by just hanging out around the rim for dunks and blocks, so he'll get some minutes next season.
New Mexico has strong defense under Richard Pitino
I understand New Mexico has a Top 20 defense. How has MU faired against Top 20 defenses this season? What makes New Mexico's style of defense particularly challenging for MU's offense? Do they have a big man that can give us fits on the boards and in the paint?
Ben Steele: St. John's has statistically the best defense in the country, according to KenPom.com, and as every MU fan knows, the Golden Eagles went 0-3 against the Red Storm. St. John's and New Mexico are similar, which shouldn't be surprising given that Lobos coach Richard Pitino is the son of St. John's coach Rick, and Richard was previously an assistant with his father. St. John's has longer and better athletes, but New Mexico is also good at forcing turnovers and shutting off shots at the rim, which fuels the Lobos' transition attack. As previously mentioned, Nelly Junior Joseph – who has played for both Pitinos – is a strong, mobile big man who can disrupt things for MU.
Questions about Marquette's offense
When is the last time someone has posted and there was an entry pass? We drive and dish but we never isolate and post which allows the defense to focus on tight man to man as they never need to double down?
Our 3 point shooting in most games during the current slide has been abysmal. Attacking the rim has been far more successful. Given that, could we expect that our team doesn't throw up thirty 3's on Friday?
Ben Steele: Marquette's offense is predicated on spacing the floor, attacking the paint for shots or spraying the ball out for either a three-pointer or another drive to the paint. MU got really stuck in the mud when several shooters were struggling and defenses could crowd the paint. Opponents have also found success using their big man to guard Stevie Mitchell and playing way off him. This could be the biggest reason for an early MU exit, like last season when the Golden Eagles shot 4 for 31 on threes vs. N.C. State. They are playing in a different arena with a different type of crowd. Sometimes that can lead to bad shooting nights.
Will Shaka Smart leave for Villanova or Virginia?
Shaka Smart is Villanova's top head coaching target. Will he leave?
What are the chances Shaka will leave after this season? I have seen his name being floated for the Virginia opening.
Ben Steele: I have not heard anything credible about Shaka Smart looking at other jobs. His name will be thrown out there, that's just a byproduct of his success at MU. But he seems content being at MU, and last season he wasn't tempted to go after blue-blood jobs like Kentucky. I've been around too long to say that something will never happen, but I will say it's unlikely that he leaves. He is also very excited about next season's recruiting class.
Will Shaka Smart add a transfer in offseason?
With team's continued weakness - outside shooting - exposed, will Shaka change his posture on using the portal? Look how St. John's changed their program overnight. Latest on rumors Tre Norman is leaving?
Ben Steele: Smart has never said that he's 100% opposed to the transfer portal, just that the player has to fit the culture and that players earn their NIL money by what they have done at MU. That certainly will limit the pool of players. But also remember that, unless there are departures, there is only one available spot next season when the NCAA roster limit increases from 13 to 15. So I would say there is only a small possibility of adding a transfer. The Tre Norman rumors were strictly internet foolishness.
Preparing for a new opponent
How does the team's routine get maintained during the tournament?
With so little time between games in the tourney, how does the team prepare for a new opponent?
Ben Steele: There is nothing routine about the NCAA tournament. There are more media obligations, an open practice and then another one behind closed doors. Everything feels different. I think the hardest thing for coaches is that prep between the first and second rounds. I remember in 2023 being so impressed at how much Tom Izzo and his Michigan State coaching staff knew about MU during the day between games. Now, MU was a No. 2 seed so it was likely that they studied the Golden Eagles in depth well before MU won in the first round. Otherwise, coaches just try to learn basic offensive and defensive principles, watch out-of-bounds plays and just get a general sense of what other teams try to do. There's not enough time to get super detailed.
Marquette recruiting is always a hot topic
Could you please comment on status of recruiting?
This time of year, recruiting gets overlooked as teams focus on the postseason. It will ramp back up when the AAU season begins. An intriguing name to watch is Ethan Johnston, a 6-6 forward in the 2026 class from Pennsylvania. He's a perfect fit for how MU plays, and made an official visit recently.
Future mailbag questions
Why does the Fiserv Forum not show instant replays?
Marquette hasn't even offered regular season ticket holders an opportunity to request tournament tickets for the past three years. How has the NCAA changed how it allocates tickets to participating schools in recent years?
You guys stumped me with these two. I don't have ready answers. I will look into it and hopefully have some answers in the next mailbag!
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Answering your questions about Marquette heading into March Madness
-
Have a question about the Wisconsin Badgers heading into March Madness and the NCAA tournament? Ask me!
You can submit your question and I'll choose some to answer before the Badgers play their first-round game Thursday against Montana.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Marquette vs New Mexico schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the Marquette vs New Mexico NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Eagles vs Lobos March Madness game on Friday, March 21 on TV.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Marquette basketball’s March Madness opponent is New Mexico to open 2025 NCAA tournament bracket
It’s Marquette basketball vs. New Mexico in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA tournament men’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Cleveland.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
How far will the Marquette Golden Eagles go in March Madness? Give us your NCAA tournament prediction
The Golden Eagles (23-10) take on 10th-seeded New Mexico (26-7) at 6:25 p.m. Friday in Cleveland.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Three questions UConn women’s basketball has to answer to reach championship goal in NCAA Tournament
The UConn women’s basketball team is riding the momentum of a 10-game win streak into March Madness, crowned by a dominant run to win a fifth consecutive Big East Tournament title last week. The ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Big East tournament semifinals prediction: Can Marquette beat St. John's in New York?
The Golden Eagles play the Red Storm in the Big East tournament semifinals on Friday. Here's our prediction for that game.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Vermont women's basketball will face NC State to open March Madness: Bracket update
It's UVM women's basketball vs. NC State in March Madness to open the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in RaleighYahoo Sports - 2d -
Ohio State women March Madness: Buckeyes face Montana State to open 2025 NCAA Tournament
It’s Ohio State women's basketball vs. Montana State to open NCAA Tournament bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Columbus.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
March Madness 2025 odds, matchups: Opening lines for first-round NCAA tournament games
Here are the odds on every March Madness first-round game at BetMGM sportsbook.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fantasy Baseball: Top pitcher fades for 2025
Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don sheds light on some key pitchers who are being drafted too early in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii LIVE: Miami Open latest score and updates
Britain’s No 2 is first in action on the Hard Rock Stadium courtYahoo Sports - 27m -
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii LIVE: Miami Open latest score and updates
Britain’s No 2 is first in action on the Hard Rock Stadium courtYahoo Sports - 27m -
Hello again! Players return to March Madness, this time playing for new teams
One year after Terrence Edwards and Chucky Hepburn played against each other in the NCAA Tournament, they are experiencing March Madness again as teammates at an entirely different school. This is ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Hello again! Players return to March Madness, this time playing for new teams
One year after Terrence Edwards and Chucky Hepburn played against each other in the NCAA Tournament, they are experiencing March Madness again as teammates at an entirely different school. This is ...Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
Why Rory McIlroy's early form legitimizes belief that Masters win, career grand slam will finally come in 2025
McIlroy has two wins entering April for the first time in his career; more complete and confident, is Rory finally ready to win at Augusta National?CBS Sports - 19m -
Why Rory McIlroy's early form legitimizes belief that Masters win, career grand slam will finally come in 2025
McIlroy has two wins entering April for the first time in his career; more complete and confident, is Rory finally ready to win at Augusta National?CBS Sports - 19m -
Nine big 2025 NBA Draft questions the NCAA Tournament may help answer—including Johni Broome's pro outlook
From Cooper Flagg to Johni Broome and even small-school stars, here's what to know for the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 19m -
Nine big 2025 NBA Draft questions the NCAA Tournament may help answer—including Johni Broome's pro outlook
From Cooper Flagg to Johni Broome and even small-school stars, here's what to know for the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 19m -
NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025: Surprising bracket upset picks, March Madness advice, strategy, predictions
SportsLine's model has revealed its last-minute bracket advice for 2025 NCAA bracket contestsCBS Sports - 19m