Four of the Cardinals starters are returning for this season. The only one they lost is big man David Padgett, but he has been replaced by a very promising Freshman center, Samardo Samuels. The team will be lead by Senior point guard Andre McGee, who played in all 36 games last season and averaged 6.5 points per game, 1.2 steals per game, and 1.9 assists per game.

Joining him at shooting guard will be Junior Jerry Smith, who showed the College Hoops nation what he is capable of last March when he scored a team-high 17 points against the Tar Heels. Senior small forward Terrence Williams and Junior power forward Earl Clark return to the mix as well after both averaging just over 11 points per game last season and 7.2 and 8.1 rebounds per game, respectively.

The Bad
The Cardinals lost Padgett, who, at 6’11”, was a defensive presence. But the Cardinals have survived without him before—after suffering an injury early last season, he had to sit out for ten games. Aside from a lost starter to the NBA Draft, there is not a lot that the Cardinals don’t have going for them.

The Bottom Line
The Cardinals start the season ranked third in the country, and rightfully so. Their core group of starters from last season is returning, and by adding some very talented Freshmen to the mix they have become that much more of a contender.

Marquette Golden Eagles

Coach: Buzz Williams
2007-2008 Record: 11-7 (24-9)
AP Rank: 16
Coaches: 17

Overview
After being an assistant coach for one year at Marquette, Buzz Williams was named head coach last April when Coach Crean accepted the top job at Indiana. This is not Coach Williams’ first head coaching job, however. He was the head coach of the University of New Orleans Privateers during the 2006-2007 season when they went 9-9 in the Sun Belt Conference. What Coach Williams lacks in head coaching experience, though, his team makes up in playing experience.

The Good
Three of the four returning starters from last year are seniors, and the fourth is a junior. The three seniors are all guards: Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews.

Between the three of them, they were responsible for 39.1 points per game last season, 9.6 assists per game, and five steals per game, which, when coupled with Lazar Hayward’s 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, gives them a very strong group of returning players. In fact, these four were the top four scoring threats on the Golden Eagles last season, which gives them a very good chance of having a great season.

The Bad
The Golden Eagles do not have a lot of height on their team, which may not seem like a big deal, but in a league dominated by big men, it means they are going to have to shoot outside a lot more. This means they may be a little more streaky than other teams, especially given that the three point line was moved back in college basketball this year.

They survived last year without a lot of height, though, so it should not be too much of a problem for them.

The Bottom Line

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