The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Dominic James is returning to play for Tom Crean and Marquette for his junior season.
MU is one over the scholarship limit as a result of this announcement. Look for that to rectified in the next few weeks.
Todd Rosiak's complete story from the Monday edition. UPDATE: More on this story from Rosiak's Blog.
Palladium-Item note on DJ's decision.
Quick AP blurb.
GoMarquette.com offers this report.
It's a strange feeling as a Marquette fan. I know he's explosive, but I almost wish he'd gone. He's not a very interesting player to watch and I feel like he drags down McNeal and Matthews with his unaccommodating game. It's doubtful he'll ever be an NBA player. It'll be interesting to see if he'll drag down the slim prospects of the undersized, but hustling McNeal.
ReplyDeleteMcNeal is a like a defensive version of Diener with no jumpshot. He's a total gamer, like Travis.
First of all, McNeal is a much better defender than Diener. Second, his jump shot is improving. He'll never be a three-baller like TD, but he got much better and more confident last year.
ReplyDeleteI think James makes the team better. But, my one concern - and I think many MU fans share this - is that James will be out too much for himself. By that, I mean forcing garbage three-balls and not deferring to his teammates.
Hopefully, that's the advice he was given. To become a true point guard. Improve the assists. Find open teammates. Drive and dish if the shot's not there. If he starts chucking threes again, MU at least now has Acker to spell him at the point.
I can honestly say I have no idea how this will turn out. I think the team is McNeal's and Matthews'.
I agree completely with the first comment above about how it might have been better to see James go. He definitely has a reputation on campus as being an egoist, and, as much as he has helped the team in the past two years, I really hope he doesn't project an attitude that says, "I did you all a favor by coming back to MU."
ReplyDeletei don't know how you guys can think so negatively about dj coming back. do you honestly think we'll be better off with culbillian and acker running the floor? i guess it takes more than leading the team to two 10 win seasons in the big east, 2 ncaa appearances, big east freshman of the year, 1st team all big east, and leading the team in scoring and assits to impress you guys. if you think dj is that selfish then you should be very happy he came back because one of his weaknesses discussed in orlando was that of an ability to run a team. thus i can see him making the team better and working hard to get others involved in the offence. i don't have a clue how he drags matthews and mcneal down
ReplyDeleteSmart decision by James, glad he's back. Marquette has a shot to be very good this coming season, and he's a BIG reason why.
ReplyDeleteGreat news all around!
I read the blog entry by Rosiak, I hope DJ's attitude carries over and he really means what he said. If his words and attitude holds, I think MU could be in for a real treat this year (with a hard working DJ focusing his attention on the NCAA games and not NBA games).
ReplyDeleteLet the healing begin between D.J. and his many doubters. I predict that this wake-up call will help transform him from being an Allen Iverson type point guard (shoot first, shoot second, pass third) to one more resembling Andre Miller. I see a big year from him if he doesn't mind leading the conference in assists and not scoring.
ReplyDeleteCDS (Too lazy to set up a Google account)