Living Up To The Potential: Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette
In late-conference play, Marquette was just 4-12 against NCAA Tournament teams, but the Golden Eagles rallied down the stretch, winning all three Big East Tournament games and two NCAA Tournament games before bowing out to North Carolina.
With their late run, Marquette entered the preseason rankings near the bottom of the Top 25 despite losing two starters. The big reason behind the pre-season polls is DJO- Darius Johnson-Odom. The left-handed senior guard is the second-leading returning scorer in the Big East at 15.8 points per game. Even with a slow starter to his junior season, Johnson-Odom finally found his range, matched with a quick release to become a serious threat; because of these skills, the lane was opened up for his ability to put the ball on the floor and drive the ball more often.
As crucial as Johnson-Odom's scoring is to this Marquette team, there is no set backup to starting point guard Junior Cadougan, so he will also be asked to shift over to the point from time-to-time. He can adequately do so, which greatly improves his NBA stock as a combo-guard, but Johnson-Odom is best suited playing off the ball for Marquette's success with their limited offense.
By President Corey Ruff - 11 - 25- 11
