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The question has come up enough times on Twitter in the 4 hours since Marquette announced that Deonte Burton and John Dawson have elected to transfer, so let's lay it all out in solid black pixels.
Here's Marquette's current scholarship situation for this season and next season:
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
| Juan Anderson | Haanif Cheatham |
| Matt Carlino | Henry Ellenson |
| Derrick Wilson | Matt Heldt |
| Steve Taylor, Jr. |
Steve Taylor, Jr. |
| Wally Ellenson | Wally Ellenson |
| Deonte Burton | [Open Scholarship] |
| John Dawson | [Open Scholarship] |
| Jajuan Johnson | Jajuan Johnson |
| Luke Fischer | Luke Fischer |
| Gabe Levin | Nick Noskowiak |
| Sandy Cohen | Sandy Cohen |
| Duane Wilson | Duane Wilson |
| [Open Scholarship] | [Open Scholarship] |
The NCAA allows Division 1 men's basketball teams to have a maximum of 13 players on scholarship. Marquette had 12 players at the start of the school year. That left them with one open scholarship, and that scholarship remains open. Marquette spent scholarship resources on Burton, Levin, and Dawson, so their scholarships are not available for use until after this school year is over.
After this school year, Anderson, Carlino, and Derrick Wilson run out of eligibility, giving Marquette seven (3 departures + 3 seniors + 1 open) total empty scholarships. Wojo got signed letters of intent from four high school players, thus leaving MU with three open slots for next fall, but one of those spots could be used immediately on a mid-year transfer.
Makes sense, right?