After an off year, the starting guard has stepped up his game and become a “warrior” on the court
How much can things change in a year?
Just ask Marcus Hall.
Hall is the starting point guard for the CU men’s basketball team. Last year, as a junior, he was forced to sit out for academic reasons.
Now, as a senior, Hall is leading the Buffs with his crisp passing and lights-out shooting. In nine games this season, Hall is the team leader in points, assists and steals, averaging 14.0 points per game, 3.4 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game. He also is shooting 42 percent from downtown.
“I’m definitely playing with a chip on my shoulders. I feel like I let my team down last year,” Hall said. I have another opportunity to play the game that I love, and I want to prove to everyone that I can still play basketball.”
First year Head Coach Jeff Bzdelik has his team at 5-4 through the first quarter of the season. Bzdelik has played Hall in all 40 minutes of the last three games. Throughout the season, Hall has averaged 36.0 minutes per game.
“Marcus has been a out there warrior for us,” Bzdelik said. “He’s a warrior in many ways. He knows what it takes to win. He defends well. He has a 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. You know what to expect from him each game.”
Hall and Bzdelik have developed a strong relationship on the court. The point guard understands and trusts the system that his new coach has employed.
“He’s trying to emphasize that we’re still trying to play basketball, but if you’ve got the opportunity to break off and deviate from what he has going on – to make a play – then play basketball and make a play,” Hall said.
Hall is one of only three seniors on this year’s roster. Before the season, he ranked ninth on CU’s all-time assists list (295), 10th in three-pointers made (99), 19th in steals (82) and 24th in minutes played (2092).
Hall is pursuing a double major in sociology and ethnic studies. With a heavy workload, it should come as no surprise that he seems to thrive on playing more minutes than anyone else on the team.
“It’s something I expected and a role that I like,” Hall said.
Hall said that after he graduates, he plans on playing professional basketball, whether it is in the United States or overseas.
But for now, Hall is enjoying his time at CU. He offered the following message to the student body: “We’re going to keep fighting. Please keep coming out. We love it and feed off it. We’ll get some big wins for you guys.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Derek Schimmel at Derek.Schimmel@thecampuspress.com
