Marquette Basketball: Key takeaways after November start

The Marquette Basketball program is more than just exceeding expectations. They are bringing back hope that the Marquette Golden Eagles can return to the glory days enjoyed during the Tom Crean and Buzz Williams eras.

Marquette Golden Eagles’ head coach Shaka Smart has the blue and gold at 7-1 heading into December. This is Marquette’s best start to a season since the 2011-2012 campaign.

That record was unfathomable at the start of the season. Marquette was picked to struggle through most of Smart’s first season in charge. The Golden Eagles were picked to finish either ninth or tenth in the Big East depending on the season preview you read.

The Marquette Golden Eagles were low on experience as they were incorporating nine new players to the roster with five of them being true freshmen.

It was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but this start has the Marquette faithful thinking an NCAA Tournament Appearance is not that far-fetched.

Marquette Basketball is certainly one of the biggest early-season surprises in college men’s hoops.

The Marquette Golden Eagles have wins over Illinois, Ole Miss, and West Virginia. They are even getting some AP Top 25 votes.

The only loss Marquette suffered was to a very experienced St. Bonaventure team in the Charleston Classic Championship Game. The Bonnies are predicted to win the Atlantic 10 so it is not like there is any shame in losing that game.

The Marquette Golden Eagles still have not shed the work-in-progress sign. There have been big stretches of inconsistent play and periods where scoring seems like mission impossible.

A 7-1 start to the season goes beyond the best scenario before the first game ever tipped off. There are a lot of takeaways to look at.