Moving on

It took me literal weeks to get out of baseball mode and into football mode. Now, before I could blink, it's time to think college hockey and college hoops. We were at Saturday night's UW men's hockey game and I've got lots to share about that, so that's coming up. In the meantime, some quick hits on Marquette basketball and, once I do my research, some more in-depth stuff to come...

Midnight Madness was this week and there's video of the whole thing here. Check out the new introduction video, plus the Women's team doing thriller and the dunk competition winner.

Former Golden Eagle Trevor Mbakwe, who's abrupt departure from MU was never really explained, will play this season at a community college in the Miami area and has verbally committed to play for Tubby Smith at Minnesota next season. Strange story...

At Big East media days, Jerel McNeal was named first team pre-season all conference and Dominic James was named to the second team.

JS MU beat writer Todd Rosiak has an interview with new coach Buzz Williams in NYC at media days.
...and Jerel McNeal

Quotes from MU's own media day a few weeks ago

Here's the Bleacher Report's Big East preview in which Buzz Williams is named preseason Coach of the Year

FoxSports.com says we're more than set in the guard department, but our front could be a problem. They have us at 18 in the nation.

Also, I just bookmarked the MUTV sports blog. Check it out here. There are interviews with various teams and players, including one with Lazar Hayward and one with Maurice Aker. Seems like it will be worth checking in on to get some more "inside" MU info.

edit:

*The Bleacher Report has their MU preview up. It notes the loss of Crean and some recruits and how that might effect the program long term, but says things look pretty solid for now.
They also note that while everyone's talking about James and McNeal, Matthews looks to be ready for a breakout season. Notes that Joseph Fulce is a big pick up and that the issue this season is same as last - how to handle the Luke Harangody's of the world.

*Also, Dick Vitale's got a whole column up at ESPN.com about MU that starts like this:

One of the toughest jobs in America is coaching in Milwaukee, Wisc. No, my friends, I am not talking about the Bucks or the Brewers, but the University of Marquette.

Think about it. Yes, there is a buzz on the campus, but new coach Buzz Williams has some mighty big shoes to fill. There will be pressure galore because of the popularity of Tom Crean.

Of course, he called it "The University of Marquette" so maybe his words should be taken with a grain of salt...

* There's a new D. Wade converse commercial and, as always, Converse and Wade rep for Marquette:
http://mnr.onthescene.com/converse/wade4_video_sameday.html