Hauser does his part to help MU’s defense
Sam Hauser has been one of the bright spots for a Marquette defense still trying to find its way.
The versatile 6-foot-8 sophomore has banged down low with 7-1 Purdue center
Isaac Haas and also has switched onto perimeter players and chased around the likes of 5-7 Eastern Illinois guard Terrell Lewis.
Hauser’s finest defensive work this season might have come in the Golden Eagles’ 73-66 loss to Georgia on Saturday, helping limit Southeastern Conference preseason co-player of the year Yante Maten to 13 points and seven rebounds.
MU (5-3) will likely need more of that effort against perennial mid-major power Vermont (6-2) when the teams play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
“We’ve asked him to guard all five positions,” Golden Eagles coach Steve Wojciechowski said Monday. “That versatility really helps us and his competitiveness allows you to play him at different positions even though he’s giving up some size and weight to some of the bigger guys he’s guarded. He’s just so competitive that he finds out how to get the job done.”
Wojciechowski has made improving the defense a top priority this season. But the Golden Eagles are allowing opponents to shoot 57.8% on twopoint shots this season, a mark that ranks 330th out of 351 NCAA Division 1 teams.
“It’s way too high,” Wojciechowski said. “We’ve played a tough schedule (but) our ability to guard the ball has got to improve and our help-side (defense) has to improve.”
Hauser echoes his coach’s sentiments.
“It’s kind of ridiculous. Obviously it doesn’t sit well with any of us, so we obviously want to make a huge change in that,” he said.
Hauser describes his role as the quarterback of the defense.
“Just trying to have a voice on ‘D.’ Being loud and helping guys other than me being aware of what’s going on in the situation, time and score. Making sure we’re all talking and in a stance,” he said.
Against the Catamounts, Hauser will likely draw the assignment of guarding 6-6 sophomore forward Anthony Lamb, who is averaging team highs with 14.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
“He’s a really good player. He can kind of do it all: can shoot, can drive, can post up and score,” Hauser said. “But if we prepare right we’ll be just fine.”
Hauser says his versatility is honed by defending everybody in practice.
“It’s good that we have (star guards) Markus (Howard) and (Andrew) Rowsey,” Hauser said. “I usually go with the guards during defensive drills, one-on-one. Being able to guard those guys on a daily basis helps me prepare.
“And then when I’m not doing guard stuff I’m with the bigs guarding them. So I get a little taste of each.”