PLUS: Averaged 9.2 points per game while being named the Mid-American Conference rookie of the year at Ball State in 2005-06. Might be able to spell Dominic James at point guard.
MINUS: Undersized at 5-8 and 165 pounds, it will be interesting to see how Acker adjusts to playing more physical games in the Big East.,”G Maurice Acker 5-8
PLUS: Averaged 9.2 points per game while being named the Mid-American Conference rookie of the year at Ball State in 2005-'06. Might be able to spell Dominic James at point guard.
MINUS: Undersized at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, it will be interesting to see how Acker adjusts to playing more physical games in the Big East.
G Scott Christopherson 6-3
PLUS: Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball averaged 22 points per game at Aquinas High School last season. Head coach Tom Crean calls the freshman "just a pure shooter."
MINUS: Influx of capable guards means playing time might be hard to come by.
G David Cubillan 6-0
PLUS: Showed an ability to be a serviceable bench player, averaging 5.5 points in 34 games last season. The sophomore also shot 42 percent (48-113) from behind the three point line.
MINUS: Plays with a ton of energy, but needs to throttle back a bit at times and stay in control.
G Dominic James 5-11
PLUS: All-Conference Big East selection and Honorable Mention All-American flirted with the NBA during the offseason but decided to return for his junior season. Averaged 14.9 points per game last season.
MINUS: Shot just 38 percent from the field including 27 percent from three point land.
G Jerel McNeal 6-3
PLUS: Returns after missing the final four games of last season with a thumb injury ready to bolster the Marquette defense. Crean said the team missed his physical presence down the stretch.
MINUS: Turned the ball over 19 more times than anyone else on the team last season and committed 102 fouls. Needs to figure out a way to play with more restraint.
G Wesley Matthews 6-5
PLUS: When McNeal went down to injury at the end of last season, Matthews picked up a lot of the slack averaging 16 points over the last six games.
MINUS: Must improve on the defensive end and emerge as more of a leader in junior season.
C Ousmane Barro 6-10
PLUS: Showed flashes of actual aggressive play last season, grabbing 234 rebounds. Set career a career high of 21 points and tied a career high of 13 rebounds against Northwestern State.
MINUS: Averaged 8.1 points per game but still looks lost frequently on offense. Loss of freshman Trevor Mbakwe to injury will put more pressure on the senior.
F Lawrence Blackledge 6-8
PLUS: Should expect to see an increase of playing time as Crean searches for help down low. Scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds against Eastern Michigan last year.
MINUS: Didn't get much playing time last season and didn't bulk up a significant amount over the offseason.
F Dwight Burke 6-8
PLUS: Got a rare start in an exhibition game against Northern State and grabbed five steals. Like Blackledge, Burke should have a chance to fight for more playing time this season.
MINUS: Despite his size, he still manages to disappear in the post. Needs to work on finishing around the basket and free throw shooting if he wants to play late in games.
F Dan Fitzgerald 6-9
PLUS: Shot 48 percent from the field, including a 42 percent on three pointers in what was mostly a reserve role last season. Scored 20 points in two of final three games.
MINUS: Grabbed 132 rebounds last year, far too small a number for the second tallest player on the Marquette roster. Crean wants to focus on rebounding this season, will Fitzgerald be able to adjust?
F Lazar Hayward 6-6
PLUS: Came on strong near the end of last season, scoring in double digits in four of the last nine games. Scored 17 points in 15 minutes against Northern State during exhibition play this season.
MINUS: Shot just 20 percent from downtown last year and was frustrated against Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament. Then again, so were the rest of the Golden Eagles.
F Patrick Hazel 6-7
PLUS: Minutes probably increased greatly when the team announced Mbakwe would redshirt this season. Might be able to earn minutes with contributions in rebounding.
MINUS: Inexperience may lead to early struggles.
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