Golden Eagles TBT roster breakdown: The Tom Crean era

Pro – 5 NBA seasons from 2005-2010 (Magic, Pacers, Trail Blazers), last played in 2020 for Venoli Cremona in Italy. 

Diener cemented himself in Marquette lore long ago. A Wisconsin native? An undersized, scrappy leader? A Final Four run? AND a legitimate NBA career? Hang No. 34 in the rafters! (Actually — don’t. We have way too many up there…) His legend status became undeniable when he sank the $1 million shot in 2020. Now at the ripe age of 40, Diener’s scoring burden has lightened, but his years of Golden Eagles TBT experience and undeniable “clutch gene” still make him a vital role player (and coach on the court) in 2022. Let’s hope history repeats itself, and as Trav provides the fireworks on-court, his father will provide them online. 

Joe Chapman (Head Coach, 2002-2006)

Pro – Played 11 years overseas, most recently with Newcastle Eagles (UK) in 2016

After spending 2016 and 2017 on the Golden Eagles TBT playing roster, Joe took the head coaching gig in 2018. His time under Tom Crean at MU and his post-playing-career shooting camps around Milwaukee (check that out here) made him a no-brainer selection. Since locking up the 2020 title, players and fans have made it clear that this is his job as long as he wants it. Joe knows this team, this school and this tournament. In Chap we trust. 

Dan Fitzgerald (General Manager, 2005-2008)

Pro – Played nearly 10 years overseas, most recently with Oviedo CB (Spain) in 2014 

Ever since he swapped Green Waves for Golden Eagles after his freshman year, Dan Fitzgerald has been repping MU to the fullest. The three-year player under Crean saw his chance to assemble a Golden Eagles TBT squad back in 2016 and has been leading the group ever since. Personally, I regret that I don’t know more about the day-to-day responsibilities of a TBT GM. I reported to Fitz while I interned with Marquette Sports Properties in college but never picked his brain about the alumni team.

Joe Napier (Assistant Coach)

His background includes a walk-on season at Michigan State before transferring to D-III Marian (WI), where he snagged an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2001. Nowadays, he coaches a high school team in the Chicagoland area. Napier’s first year on an MUBB staff came in the 2020 title run, so it makes sense to keep his winning ways around. He spoke on that experience with the Hoop Goon podcast. Hearing the amount of work that Golden Eagles TBT puts in (two-a-days, three-a-days, film sessions) further emphasizes how serious this tournament has become, and Coach Nape is here for it.