After a disappointing finish to last season and having to say goodbye to two decorated players in Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro, Marquette recalibrated over the summer and were primed and ready for the 2024-25 season opener on Monday at Fiserv Forum. The Colonial Athletic Conference’s Stony Brook would make their way from New York to face off against a new-look Marquette Golden Eagles squad, eager to begin the season.
As mentioned in our season preview, Marquette brings back their entire roster from last season, sans Kolek and Ighodaro. Some of the questions surrounding who would handle the ball at the point and what frontcourt rotation head coach Shaka Smart would deploy would begin to be answered as the Golden Eagles finally hit the floor for 2024-25.
Senior guard Stevie Mitchell was projected to see most of the time at the point guard position, and this was mostly true. Mitchell handled the ball out of the gate for Marquette, scoring the first basket of the Golden Eagles’ season. Keeping scoring threat Kam Jones on the wing in his scorer’s role worked well for Marquette early, as Jones piled up 10 points in the first seven minutes. Jones did see some time at the head of the offense in the first half as Shaka tested his rotations, which saw sophomores Tre Norman and Zaide Lowery get involved, and the first career minutes for redshirt freshman big-man Caedin Hamilton.
Marquette would go on a 22-7 run late in the first half to go up 48-30 behind 15 first-half points from Kam Jones. The Golden Eagles showed energy and intensity throughout the half, holding Stony Brook to just 37% shooting and forcing seven turnovers.
More of the same would play out in the second session, as Marquette grew its lead behind continued scoring from Kam Jones. Jones created all night and scored most of his 32 points around the basket. Finishing just two points shy of his career high, Jones went an impressive 14-16 from the floor, cementing a 40-point victory for Marquette. Junior guard Chase Ross would set his career high, adding 23 points to the ledger.
Ben Gold had an off shooting night, but seems to be locked into the five to begin the season. Caedin Hamilton logged 12 minutes, while fellow freshman big-man Royce Parham played 18 minutes. Stevie Mitchell’s time at the points produced 6 assists, and David Joplin scored 13 points in a team-high 30 minutes of action.
Marquette cruised past Stony Brook 102-62 while shooting 59% from the floor and 29% from behind the arc. Tougher competition definitely lies ahead, but the Golden Eagles have to be happy with the way they began the season and the team they have on the floor for 2024-25.
Knuckleball Prime Time Player of the Game
Next up: George Mason comes to the Al Maguire Center on Friday, November 8th at 8pm CST on Peacock
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