SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000

If Tom Crean tires of coaching basketball in the near future, he certainly could find employment in the field of public relations.

It takes a special type of spin doctor to successfully promote Marquette and the city of Milwaukee as the Shangri-La of Conference USA.

Crean had big expectations for his four-man recruiting class -- Odartey Blankson, Scott Merritt, Terry Sanders, and Dwayne Wade -- but lost some of that hope when Wade failed to qualify. Wade will be eligible for the 2001-02 season.

Returning big men John Mueller and Greg Clausen will be pushed by Merritt. Junior Jon Harris, who played well late last season but must improve on his .255 shooting from the free-throw line, will play alongside junior power forward Oluoma Nnamaka.

The team still belongs to guard Brian Wardle, an all-league performer who, as a senior, is seeking his first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Wardle and Blankson should start at guard with junior David Diggs serving as a backup. Diggs experienced an uneven sophomore season after showing potential as a double-figure scorer as a freshman.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Junior Cordell Henry is the incumbent point guard, but will be pushed by senior Brian Barone.

Marquette's biggest challenge will be to find a way to remain consistent. The Golden Eagles got off to a 4-2 C-USA start, with both defeats coming against Cincinnati. They defeated Saint Louis, Louisville and UNC Charlotte at home and won at DePaul, but couldn't beat any of its American Division foes in the rematches.

Mike Deane, Crean's predecessor, always had his team peaking by February and March. Meanwhile, Crean's team went 4-6 in its last 10 games and lost six of its last eight.

Is this an NCAA Tournament team? The opportunity is there.

Honors candidates

Brian Wardle. The offense will be built around him and, if he can display more consistency, another all-conference berth awaits.

Keep an eye on

Cordell Henry. A pair of freshmen are supposed to knock the junior point guard into a reserve role, but they will find out it won't be that easy.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• PG Cordell Henry, 5-9, 160, Jr. - Solid playmaker will be pushed by newcomers (9.1 ppg., 3.5 assists., 1.2 steals)
• SG Brian Wardle*, 6-5, 212, Sr. - Makes Marquette go (16.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
• PF Oluoma Nnamaka*, 6-7, 213, Jr. - Needs to stay healthy (8.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
• C John Mueller*, 6-10, 235, Sr. - Will be pushed by freshman Scott Merritt (4.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
• PG Brian Barone, 6-0, 175, Sr. - Tough backup point guard (2 ppg, 2.1 apg)
• SG David Diggs, 6-4, 203, Jr. - Needs to bounce back from disappointing sophomore year. (1.9 ppg)
• F Jon Harris, 6-7, 213, Jr. - Solid rebounder (3.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
• SG Odartey Blankson, 6-5, 200, Fr. - Fans will love his versatility
• C Scott Merritt, 6-10, 225, Fr. - Rated by many as a top 10 center

Key losses

• John Cliff, SG, 6-2, 210 (14.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.9 apg)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule