Marquette hoops in the news

Summer is rapidly coming to a close and Midnight Madness is less than two months away. While we await the merciful end of the off-season, here are a few noteworthy items to start your week:

While Travis Diener, Steve Novak and Jerel McNeal remain unemployed for the time being, all-time Warrior great Dominic James appears to have agreed to terms with Lukoil Akademik in Sofia, Bulgaria, according to a Shamsports Twitter post (James' photo and vitals now appear on the team's website). While the Bulgarian league is not traditionally strong, Lukoil Akademik are the Celtics/Lakers of that league, dominating every year. Lukoil won the title last year finishing at 25-3 - - the 8th consecutive title for the team.

Last season James played for Mersin in the Turkish Basketball Association averaging 14 points and 4 assists per game. Mersin finished the year at 12-18, 12th in the 16 team league. Prior to the Lukoil Akademik agreement James played with the Milwaukee Bucks summer league outfit.

In the NCAA's ongoing crackdown on street agents and similarly influential middlemen in recruiting, the Pump brothers are now off-limits. The Pumps defend themselves in this article which notes that MU head man Buzz Williams backed out of an appearance with the power brokers at the last minute. Yahoo! Sports' profile of the Pumps from earlier this year remains a must-read.

Villanova By The Numbers delivers an in-depth analysis on nine rising juniors to watch in the BIG EAST and it's no surprise that Darius Johnson-Odom figures favorably in the mix. Accoring to VBTN, DJO "...proved to be a good combo guard, sliding over to the off guard where could find his shot (eFG% -- 56.4%) both inside and outside (ranked #7 in conference for 3 pointers made)"

Marquette continues to produce top-notch content for its official site. Most recently the site offered interviews with freshmen Vander Blue and Davante Gardner.

Don't forget -- if you are interested in helping the Marquette Alumni Club of Kansas City in their quest to bring the Al McGuire one-man show to town please click here.