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Garcia picks North Carolina

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Dawson Garcia

Dawson Garcia pulled his name from consideration for the NBA Draft this week.  Today, the 6’11 forward announced he would be transferring to North Carolina where he’ll be able to play for the Tar Heels immediately.

Garcia averaged 13 points and 6.6 rebounds a game for Marquette in his first season.  He scored 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in a 83-70 Marquette victory over the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill last season.

Garcia had six games with 20 or more points last season for a Marquette team that finished 13-14 and missed the NCAA Tournament.

Garcia paid visits to North Carolina, Arizona and Illinois and considered a return to Marquette with new coach Shaka Smart.  But in the end, Garcia picked the Tar Heels and their new head coach Hubert Davis.

Because Garcia put his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal before July 1, he’ll be eligible to play for the Tar Heels immediately.

Garcia’s departure from Marquette opens up a scholarship for the Golden Eagles for the upcoming season.  Smart has already brought in nine new players for next season.

 

 

 

Brookfield Central’s David Joplin picks Marquette

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Brookfield Central’s 6’7 forward David Joplin will play college basketball for Shaka Smart at Marquette next season.

Joplin signed to play for Smart at Texas but was granted his release from his national letter of intent after Smart was hired by Marquette.  Now he’ll play close to home in Milwaukee after averaging 25.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and two assists per game last season at Brookfield Central.  Joplin shot 53% overall from the field and 37.5% from three-point range.

Joplin was not initially offered a scholarship at Marquette when Steve Wojciechowski as the head coach.

Joplin is joined by Emarion Ellis (Iowa) and Keeyan Itejere (North Carolina) as recruits that committed to Smart at Texas and then followed him to Marquette.  Two players initially signed by Wojciechowski in November, Kameron Jones and Stevie Mitchell are also in Marquette’s 2021 class.

Shaka Smart Named Head Coach at Marquette

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Wisconsin native Shaka Smart has been named the 18th head coach of the Marquette University men’s basketball program on Friday.  The university will officially Smart during a news conference on Monday.

In 12 seasons as a head coach at Virginia Commonwealth (2009-15) and Texas (2015-21), Smart guided the two programs to a total of eight NCAA Tournament appearances.  Those trips were highlighted by a run to VCU’s first Final Four appearance in 2011.

The 43-year-old Smart owns an overall record of 272-142 (.657) and seven of his first 10 teams played in the NCAA tournament.  He posted a record of 163-56 (.744) at VCU and five trips to the NCAA.  While at Texas, the Longhorns were 109-86 (.559) and made NCAA appearances in 2016, 2018 and 2021.  Texas also claimed the National Invitation Tournament title in 2019.

 

 

Report: Martin withdraws from Marquette coaching search

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According to an Associated Press report, Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin, who talked with Marquette about the schools vacant men’s basketball coaching position, has now pulled his name from consideration.

Marquette is also set to talk with Duke associated head coach Steve Wojciechowski, who played four years at Duke and coached for 15 more.

Duke ironically is the only school that outspends Marquette in men’s basketball.

VCU’s Shaka Smart turned down a chance to coach at Marquette and former UCLA coach Ben Howland is still a candidate.

 

Marquette’s coaching search continues

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Reports on Monday had Shaka Smart set to take the Marquette Golden Eagle head coaching job, replacing Buzz Williams, who left to take the Virginia Tech job.

Two days later, it appears Smart is staying at Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) instead of taking the job in Milwaukee.

Marquette could have more than doubled Smart’s salary, but he’s passed on other big jobs in the past and it appears he’s set to walk away from a move to Marquette.

It leaves Marquette with former UCLA coach Ben Howland, who they have already talked to.  They could also look to interview more coaching prospects.

Marquette’s search for a new coach continues

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The search continues for Buzz Williams replacement at Marquette.  Williams was introduced as Virginia Tech’s new head coach at a Monday news conference.

It was thought last night that Marquette was set to name VCU’s Shaka Smart their next head coach, but day four of the search ended without a deal.

Smart, from Madison, is also being pursued by Wake Forest.  Marquette has also spoken with former UCLA and Pittsburgh coach Ben Howland.

Smart took VCU to the 2011 Final Four and is one of the most sought after coaches in the country.  He has already turned down job offers in recent years from Illinois, Minnesota and UCLA.

VCU gave Smart an 8-year extension that increased his yearly salary from $350,000 to $1.2-million a year.

He could make substantially more at Marquette.  Buzz Williams was set to earn almost $3-million next season.