Marquette in the Big Apple

Today is the annual Big East media day in New York City, bringing us one step closer to the start of the season. Coach Buzz Williams will be joined by seniors Joseph Fulce, Dwight Buycks and Robert Frozena today for the event. Senior Jimmy Butler suffered a concussion earlier this week and was unable to make the trip.

The Big East coaches selected Georgetown's Austin Freeman as the pre-season player of the year. Jimmy Butler was named second-team All-Big East, while DJO was listed as honorable mention. The coaches pick MU and Louisville to finish in a tie for 8th in the league this year, just ahead of UConn. No respect from within the league, IMHO.

In anticipation of media day the beat reporters from around the league did their own pre-season poll and this year there's some respect for the Warriors. The Big East scribes pick MU as the league's sixth-best team. Meanwhile ESPN picks MU to finish 11th in the Big East this season -- there's a discussion about that prediction on MU Scoop.

Not to be outdone the inimitable Pico Dulce from The East Coast Bias conducted his own strawpoll and pre-season preview with bloggers from around the league. We chipped in and there was some healthy respect for MU, including a few folks picking Vander as Newcomer of the Year. You can read this blogger preview here. Nice work, Pico.

Last night Buzz Williams was the featured guest at the Marquette Circles event in New York City. I live Tweeted the event so check our tweet stream for the details, including information on where to find the interview online in the coming days.

The latest episode of Marquette Basketball: Revealed is up. Also, the Journal-Sentinel posted a complete transcript of Buzz at Marquette's media day. The transcript is excellent. Seriously, it's really interesting to read carefully and digest.

On the recruiting front one-time target Trey McDonald verbally committed to Ohio State earlier this week. The 6'9" big man selected the Buckeyes over MU, DePaul and others.

Nick Faust, a 6'5" shooting guard, still lists MU as a possible destination and will announce his college choice on October 28. Meanwhile, 6'8" Chicagoan Mike Shaw might wait until Spring to decide (he was at Marquette Madness). MU fans are also watching for updates on 6'7" Rodney Hood, who will reportedly decide between FSU, Mississippi State, Alabama, Marquette and Louisville this week.

Despite all of the names Buzz is in on there's a legitimate chance that Marquette may whiff on all these players -- or chose to move on to other talent. Rest assured, however, that when it's all said and done, the talent level Buzz brings in will be at least sufficient. Don't be surprised if there is yet another JUCO player we've never heard of but will be great (see: Butler, J.F., DJO).

After Media Day, there are a few more events upcoming as we get closer to the first (exhibition) game on Nov 6th. The Fish Fry / Haunted Hoops is taking place on Friday. Plus, Marquette will host UVA in a closed-door scrimmage on Oct 30th.