Individual evaluations through nine games

Nobody likes a week between games, so here’s some quick analysis on each player through nine games. Enjoy.

PG Junior Cadougan: What he has done well: The early reports that Cadougan was ready to make the jump to one of the best distributor’s in the Big East have rang true this year, as the junior has totaled at least six assists in all but one game this season. His mid-range jump shot has added another dimension to his game and teams will need to begin contesting that shot. This should lead to more penetration and, as a result, kick outs to open shooters and points in the paint. His 37.7 percent assist rate ranks 30th best in the country.

What he can work on: It’s tough because Cadougan has had the ball in his hands so much, but he still has committed three or more turnovers in four of his eight games played.  It isn’t a concern since his A/TO ratio is 2.6 and he is a big reason Marquette has assisted on 65.2 percent of its made baskets (14th best in the country), but it’d be nice to see the string of turnovers in certain games regress.

Darius Johnson-Odom has been everything and more for Marquette through nine games. (Tribune File Photo)

SG Darius Johnson-Odom: What he has done well: One would be hard-pressed to find another player in the Big East who has meant more to his team thus far than DJO. His averages are at the top of the conference and he was a key component in Marquette’s win over Wisconsin and Washington, the Golden Eagles’ two signature wins this season. His defense, like the rest of the team, has been solid and he has made the jump from a solid offensive threat the past two seasons to team leader.

What he can work on: It’s tough to critique any part of Johnson-Odom’s game right now, but the 3-point shooting is one area of small concern. He is shooting 37 percent from downtown and, while he hasn’t had to rely on the 3-ball against lesser competition, it would be nice to see that average rise closer to 40 percent once the Big East begins. Still, that’s a small problem to have in an otherwise excellent start to his senior season.

SG Vander Blue: What he has done well:What a difference a year can make. Blue has been excellent defensively and is third on the team in scoring (10.9 pgg). While many of his looks have been high-percentage shots, the aggressiveness and confidence in Blue’s game is clearly evident. It just looks more fluid than last year’s non-conference performances, when he also looked great. He has also crashed the boards, totaling 9, 8 and 7 rebounds in three of his last four games. He is second on the team in assists (3.8 apg) and has become a point guard on the wing of sorts, which has been huge for the Marquette offense.

What he can work on: Time will tell on whether or not his jump shot has improved when he really needs to use it against tougher opponents. His aggressive style could mean he doesn’t need a jumper to complete his game and be effective offensively, but it would be a huge caveat if the Golden Eagles could find one more outside shooter. 

PF Jae Crowder: What he has done well: Crowder wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to be more perimeter-oriented this year. Through nine games, Crowder leads the team with 19 3-pointers and is shooting at a 44 percent clip. His 17.4 points are almost six more per game than he averaged a year ago through nine games (11.5) and his rebounding numbers have increased as well. And again, Crowder’s turnover rate is one of the best in the country.

What he can work on: Crowder’s energy is unheralded on the team, but it is still getting him into trouble on ticky-tacky fouls. He has reached four fouls in three different games already, including the Wisconsin matchup. With Chris Otule out until at least Christmas, Marquette can’t afford to limit Crowder’s minutes because of foul trouble.

C Chris Otule: What he has done well: Otule recorded 13 blocks through seven games (+1:41 against Washington), but even that didn’t do his defensive play justice. Buzz Williams’ new coined terms, box touches (which track paint touches for the opposing team) have been low and no teams really had solid games inside with Otule in the lineup. At 5.0 points per game, Otule also was everything the Golden Eagles needed inside, before his knee injury against Washington.

What he can work on: Hopefully the knee injury is not serious enough where Otule needs surgery and he can return sometime this season. And if he can, his rebounding numbers will need to improve. For as good as he been denying passes in the paint and altering/blocking shots, he is averaging just 4.4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes. Those personal numbers are up from a year ago, but Marquette has been less than stellar in not allowing offensive rebounds. Otule said he wanted to average seven rebounds per game this year.

Todd Mayo's offensive prowess has been key for Marquette. (File Tribune Photo)

SG Todd Mayo: What he has done well: Anyone who thought Mayo would have the opportunity to score in double digits in six of Marquette’s first nine games would be lying. He has been a reliable third option for Marquette who has helped in games where one of Crowder or Johnson-Odom have been unable to get going. A year ago, Marquette didn’t have that consistency in the back court. He hasn’t played out of the offense, either, shooting 47 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line. Through nine games, it’s apparent Mayo is a future All-Big East player. He’s that good.

What he can work on: Like all freshmen, Mayo has lapses defensively at times, but overall has been an above average defender. He is committing 4.4 fouls per 40 minutes, which is the fourth highest mark on the team. With Otule out, Mayo’s rebounding numbers (2.6 rpg) will need to improve a bit.

PF Davante Gardner: What he has done well: The sophomore has picked up right where he left off last year, averaging 7.9 points on 58.5 percent shooting in just under 16 minutes. Like Mayo, Gardner can come in when Marquette is in an offensive lull and provide instant offense.

What he can work on: The defense still isn’t there, and it’s going to need to be with Otule’s injury. He has just 19 defensive rebounds this year, which is one more than Todd Mayo and four more than Jamail Jones. He has been great on the offensive glass but still needs work defensively. The additional playing time with Otule out will give Gardner the chance to shine on defense.

PF Jamil Wilson: What he has done well: It hasn’t been pretty at times, but Wilson’s versatility has been key for Marquette on both ends of the floor. He was able to provide speed defensively against Wisconsin and did a little bit of everything against Washington. He appears to be more relaxed in the offense lately and has recorded a block in eight of nine games this year.

What he can work on: Outside of Gardner, Wilson’s progression defensively will be most important with Otule out. There will be times when he is the “center” and must control the defensive glass. His foul rate (4.6) is a bit high and Marquette won’t be able to afford to put Wilson on the bench for extended periods of the game.

PG Derrick Wilson has been as efficient as anyone Marquette guard this year. (Tribune File Photo)

PG Derrick Wilson: What he has done well: The name of the game has been efficiency for Wilson, who has committed just three turnovers in 126 minutes. In Marquette’s fast-paced offense, that’s an incredible mark. More importantly, Wilson has been a lock down defender (ask Jordan Taylor) and been surprisingly good crashing the glass.

What he can work on: He hasn’t been asked to do much offensively because of his supporting cast, but Wilson has attempted just four shots all year. No one is asking him to score when he is in the game, but a bit more aggressiveness wouldn’t hurt. That being said, Wilson has been everything Marquette has asked him to be through nine games.

SF Jamail Jones: What he has done well: The name of the game for Marquette this year has been length, and Jones has provided it in limited minutes. He has provided  solid defense and has proven capable of hitting outside shots, despite his low 3-point percentage (3-of-14). He is more of rhythm shooter and hasn’t found it in the early season, but the potential is clearly there for the sophomore.

What he can work on: Jones was aggressive in the team’s season-opening win over Mount St. Mary’s and it would be nice to see some more of that as he begins to log more minutes with Juan Anderson sidelined for a month. Like Gardner, these next three to four weeks are Jones’ time to shine.

SF Juan Anderson: What he has done well: Anderson has had quite the eventful start to his freshman year, but much of it has come off the court (two injuries and a three-game suspension). But if there’s one thing to be said, it’s that Anderson is going to be a special defensive player. His five-rebound performance against Wisconsin was vital to the Golden Eagles’ win in a hostile environment. There’s not enough of a sample to judge Anderson just yet, but the talent is there.

What he can work on: Anderson has played just 16 minutes his freshman season and will miss three to four weeks with a shoulder injury, but his rebounding numbers will be important if Otule misses extended time into the Big East season. Offensively, expect Anderson to be a scrappy player around the basket, a la Jimmy Butler’s sophomore season. Anderson’s health will be important and give Buzz Williams another body off the bench.