MU hoops: Things to watch

Here are three things to watch as MU opens Friday night at the Bradley Center vs. Centenary:

#1 Marked Man

Lazar Hayward was able to fly under the radar for two years while playing in the shadow of Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews. This season, you can bet that all opposing coaches will be yelling out "Who has 32?"

The lone returning starter from a season ago, Hayward will be the focal point on each scouting report this season. He'll draw double teams and you can bet that some Big East defenders will use UFC-like contact to keep him from getting the ball.

With apologies to Jerel McNeal, you could argue that Hayward was Marquette's most important player last season due of his versatility. He plays both inside and out and causes match-up issues at each end of the floor. Though his scoring is essential to Marquette's success, his ability to steal rebounds from frontcourt players is equally important. Hayward averaged 16.3 points per game and 8.6 rebounds in 2008-09.

#2 Junior Mints?

Despite back-to-back 25 win seasons, Marquette is picked to finish 12th in the Big East by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. For MU to surprise the national media, Junior College All-Americans Dwight Buycks and Darius Johnson-Odom need to provide additional scoring punch early and often.

Johnson-Odom has been slowed by a foot injury that kept him out of practice much of the first two months. He aggravated the injury Saturday in an exhibition game vs. Milwaukee School of Engineering. When healthy, Johnson-Odom is an outstanding athlete that should provide much-needed offensive punch.

Buycks' quickness and versatility at the guard spot should provide immediate help to seniors Maurice Acker and David Cubillan in the backcourt. The Golden Eagles scored more than 40 points off of turnovers in Saturday's victory and will have to continue to create mistakes that lead to easy baskets. Defensive pressure will help energize Marquette's transition game...and that starts with the guards.

"That's going to be a big part of our game," said Buycks. "We're looking to cause a lot of turnovers...that's a priority."

#3 Post Pattern

After being injured most of last season, 6-10 sophomore center Chris Otule appears much improved. Because MU is again an undersized bunch, Otule will often have an extremely important defensive assignment when the Golden Eagles face interior players with the ability to score.

Both Otule and junior Joe Fulce (who also missed most of last season due to knee surgery) will have to help Hayward and swingman Jimmy Butler out on the boards.

The Golden Eagles missed Fulce's aggressiveness and athleticism in the paint last season.

"He's not afraid," said Williams of Fulce. "He'll go get the ball."

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