After the college basketball season ends, there is always the inevitable ‘Too early Top 25’ for the following year. As you could expect, Marquette Golden Eagles are seen in high regard. There is good reason for that, too. Golden Eagles will bring a starter-ready point guard from the transfer market, the Hauser brothers, Theo John and Markus Howard who would be a preseason first-team All-American. That is a loaded team. Even if Howard leaves for the NBA, this team will likely start the year ranked in the top 25. The decision of the Big East Player of the Year to stay or leave could hinge on the hype about Marquette being an all-time high or reasonable hype. Look at where people see Marquette with Howard across the board.

I still don't expect Markus to come back, which makes these Way Too Early projections a sort of mirage, but these aren't average joes hyping up #mubb. pic.twitter.com/BCp4hck70m

— Paint Touches (@PaintTouches) April 9, 2019

Now will Howard come back? That is the million dollar question. I read an article about UConn 1999 National Championship team where people believe Rip was headed pro until talking with Jim Calhoun about winning a title. Marquette is a legitimate title contender with Howard returning for another year.The season ended so poorly last year, and many wonder if the hype would be too much. That’s extremely fair. But these are college kids after all. They do mature and grow from year-to-year. They made steps last season before falling down them late in the year. They got to the red zone before pulling their best Jay Cutler. Could they find the final piece of the puzzle? Maybe.

If Howard leaves, this team will still be one of the best in what will be a much-improved Big East with Villanova, Xavier, Creighton all expected to be very good next season. Sam Hauser will have to get more aggressive. Others will have to help him out and play a role in making up Markus’ scoring for the year.

Once we have Howard’s decision, we can properly hype up next year.

Charlie.