Todd Mayo Crucial For Marquette
Along with their top two scorers from last season, Jae Crowder (Big East Player of the Year, 17.5 points) and Darius Johnson-Odom (18.3 points), along with several assistant coaches, perennial surprise candidate Marquette is without a double-digit scorer returning. However, there is Arizona State transfer, Trent Lockett, expected to take over much of Crowder's versatility, scoring and rebounding, but who will step up in Johnson-Odom's absence? Many scouts are hoping it will be combo-guard Vander Blue, a tough-minded, super-athletic wing (8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists), but it's more likely to be shooting guard Todd Mayo, the younger brother of Dallas Maverick and former USC Trojan guard, O.J. Mayo.
Starting just two games as a freshman, Mayo brings about a tremendous scoring punch (16 double-digit scoring games), primarily through his mid-range jumper and attacking-the-rim nature. He could certainly stand an improved shot-selection (something Johnson-Odom also suffered from), which should lead to higher shooting percentages across the board and keep defenses honest and off-balance.
Look for Mayo to have a much bigger role for the Marquette Golden Eagles in 2012-13, moving into the starting lineup and upping his scoring punch for a team desperately in need of it.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 9 - 14 - 12
