The 2019-20 college basketball season is quickly approaching, and thus, we turn our attention to previewing the upcoming Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball season.

To that end, we’ve got a stacked up list of questions about the 2019-20 campaign, and each of the contributors to AE are going to take a crack at answering them. There will be a new question every weekday afternoon between now and the start of the season, so be sure to stop back every day to find the new one.

Onwards, then, to the question of the day:

Who will be in the opening night starting five against Loyola-Maryland?

Pretty straight forward, and as it turns out, the answer seems to be a lot more straight forward than I realized it was going to be.

Besay:

I think this year, more than any year, I’ve been the most certain as to who will be starting opening night. It’s obviously subject to change throughout the season. But I am fairly convinced that Steve Wojciechowski will start Markus Howard, Koby McEwen, Sacar Anim, Brendan Bailey, and Theo John on opening night. Markus, Sacar, and Theo are returning starters. Koby was pegged to be the guy to take a load off Markus in the ball-handling department since he stepped on campus and all noise from off-season practices has been positive. And Brendan is the next guy up really. He has developed the most, has more confidence, and seems to have the trust of Wojciechowski more so than the rest of the guys.

Ben Snider:

Markus Howard, Koby McEwen, Sacar Anim, Brendan Bailey, Theo John. By the end of the year I think Greg will take over Sacar or Koby’s spot.

Sam Newberry:

Markus, Koby, Sacar, Brendan, Theo.

Patrick Leary:

This is pretty set in stone, I think. It’s going to be Howard, McEwen, Anim, Bailey and John. I’ve basically thought this since the Hausers transferred, and that’s who started in the Indiana scrimmage.

Pistol Brad:

Opening night starting five will be Howard, McEwen, Anim, Bailey, and John. I don’t really see this going another way. Howard, Anim, and John were starters last year and should be Sharpied in. Between the ample buzz about McEwen and lack of a healthy veteran alternative, McEwen should receive the role of Howard’s running mate. Finally, Wojo may want to play more two big lineups but it would shock me if he starts games that way. That leaves Bailey as the final starter. I conclude this roundtable blurb with the reminder that who starts the game is rather immaterial and what really matters is how much each player plays.