Around the Big East

[tom in salem]

Because it's never too early to start the preseason rankings....this guy has us #8 in the Big East.

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcspo...rward-catching-up-on-the-big-easts-offseason/


PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS, IN TWEET FORM

1. Villanova: On paper, Nova looks like a top ten team, but it will be interesting to see how their roster comes together. A lot of PGs, not many big men.

2. Georgetown: Getting DSR back was huge, but the key for the Hoyas this year will be the development of sophomores Isaac Copeland, LJ Peak and Paul White.

3. Xavier: I’m bullish on the Musketeers despite who they lost, but that’s mostly because I expect Trevon Bluiett and Jalen Reynolds to have big years.

4. Marquette: As I said earlier, the addition of Ellenson combined with the back court pieces Wojo has makes Marquette my favorite sleeper in the country.

5. Butler: Kellen Dunham, Roosevelt Jones and Tyler Lewis will be fun to watch, but who helps Andrew Charbacz along the front line?

6. Providence: Getting Kris Dunn back was huge. Losing LeDontae Henton will hurt, however. Ben Bentil and Jalen Lindsey need to take big steps forward.

7. Seton Hall: Losing Gibbs is killer, but with Isaiah Whitehead and Angel Delgado back and a couple talented transfers eligible, Pirates have some pieces.

8. St. John’s: It’s hard to see the Johnnies remaining a tournament team after losing D’angelo Harrison and Sir’Dominic Pointer.

9. DePaul: I love Billy Garrett Jr.’s game. I don’t love rehiring Dave Leitao.

10. Creighton: The rebuild after Dougie McBuckets was never going to be quick. Landing Justin Patton and Marcus Foster makes the future seem bright.

Butler way too low.
They should win the league.
DePaul also too low.
Providence way too high, likely last place.
The others all look about right

 

[usguard]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

 

[Jack Williams]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

 

[tom in salem]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Welcome back Jack.
How'd finals go?

 

[Andrew]

I think the player that will be hardest to replace will be Pointer. Greene had a very good year but we will have other shooters. Harrison was hurt a lot and very inconsistent. We don't have any one who can do all the things Pointer did. Otherwise I see a deeper team with two key starters returning and some interesting newcomers. There is no way to predict how they will do but I think they will surprise to the good.

 

[ras]

Last year we had only 6 serviceable players. 1 over 6 6. DLO was injured most of the year and CO also had his share of injuries. Next year we are more balanced, deeper, and bigger w a better coaching staffI IMO.. Not saying they will male the tourney, but they should be fun to watch. Paultzman heard some encouraging news about Mussini. Hopefully he and or Lovett will also be competing for us.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Easy Jack

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Easy Jack, im sure you, like most of us, have yet to see all our pieces. What we do know is our depth and size will be better. What we think we know is that we will shoot better, or at least have more shooting threats. We return a junior 5 star guard who played like a pro at times down the stretch. To say something as definitive and absolute as 0% is naive. After all, wee did only finish in 5th place remember.

 

[Jack Williams]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Easy Jack, im sure you, like most of us, have yet to see all our pieces. What we do know is our depth and size will be better. What we think we know is that we will shoot better, or at least have more shooting threats. We return a junior 5 star guard who played like a pro at times down the stretch. To say something as definitive and absolute as 0% is naive. After all, wee did only finish in 5th place remember.

I'm not putting down our pieces I'm just talking about how good our team was last year. The big east is IMO stronger all the way around this year with nova and Georgetown staying strong and Marquette, Creighton, Xavier, and butler all being strong.

I'm brimming with optimism on the future of this program. But to say this team can be better than last year is a stretch. We have more depth sure but it's made up of freshmen and JUCOs who haven't played D1 ball and a guy that hasn't played in 2 years. On top of that rysheed Jordan and Chris obekpa have been our most inconsistent players the last couple of years. Both in behavior and on the court peformance.

With all that said it isn't being talked about enough that this year will be a learning process for Chris as a coach. You can't expect him in his first year on the job to take a team that is 90% newcomers and expect him to pull off a miracle and finish top 5 in the league.

I'll take a 6-7 spot finish in the big east and be happy with it, the arrival of Mustapha Heron and other 2016 studs is when I expect the program to take off. I'm sticking with my assessment and saying there is a 0% chance this team is better than last years. Love to be wrong. But I have to much respect for what DLo, Dom, and Phil did to even fathom Rysheed Jordan, Durand Johnson, and Malik Ellison even coming close to that quality of play

 

[Jack Williams]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Welcome back Jack.
How'd finals go?

Everything's going great right now. Missed talking SJU hoops even if it was only like two months

 

[Andrew]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Easy Jack, im sure you, like most of us, have yet to see all our pieces. What we do know is our depth and size will be better. What we think we know is that we will shoot better, or at least have more shooting threats. We return a junior 5 star guard who played like a pro at times down the stretch. To say something as definitive and absolute as 0% is naive. After all, wee did only finish in 5th place remember.

I'm not putting down our pieces I'm just talking about how good our team was last year. The big east is IMO stronger all the way around this year with nova and Georgetown staying strong and Marquette, Creighton, Xavier, and butler all being strong.

I'm brimming with optimism on the future of this program. But to say this team can be better than last year is a stretch. We have more depth sure but it's made up of freshmen and JUCOs who haven't played D1 ball and a guy that hasn't played in 2 years. On top of that rysheed Jordan and Chris obekpa have been our most inconsistent players the last couple of years. Both in behavior and on the court peformance.

With all that said it isn't being talked about enough that this year will be a learning process for Chris as a coach. You can't expect him in his first year on the job to take a team that is 90% newcomers and expect him to pull off a miracle and finish top 5 in the league.

I'll take a 6-7 spot finish in the big east and be happy with it, the arrival of Mustapha Heron and other 2016 studs is when I expect the program to take off. I'm sticking with my assessment and saying there is a 0% chance this team is better than last years. Love to be wrong. But I have to much respect for what DLo, Dom, and Phil did to even fathom Rysheed Jordan, Durand Johnson, and Malik Ellison even coming close to that quality of play

I don't think fifth place is impossible. I like Villanova, Marquette, Geotgetown, Butler, St. John's, Xavier, Providence, Seton Hall, DePaul and Creighton.

 

[Red.Fans]

define better? Chance to finish higher (better) in the BE: yes. Chance to win an NCAA Tourney game: yes.

 

[Jack Williams]

define better? Chance to finish higher (better) in the BE: yes. Chance to win an NCAA Tourney game: yes.

I measure better by going deeper into the tournament so winning a game. I don't think there's a chance they do it. Again, prove me wrong I'd love eating crow in march but don't see it

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Easy Jack, im sure you, like most of us, have yet to see all our pieces. What we do know is our depth and size will be better. What we think we know is that we will shoot better, or at least have more shooting threats. We return a junior 5 star guard who played like a pro at times down the stretch. To say something as definitive and absolute as 0% is naive. After all, wee did only finish in 5th place remember.

I'm not putting down our pieces I'm just talking about how good our team was last year. The big east is IMO stronger all the way around this year with nova and Georgetown staying strong and Marquette, Creighton, Xavier, and butler all being strong.

I'm brimming with optimism on the future of this program. But to say this team can be better than last year is a stretch. We have more depth sure but it's made up of freshmen and JUCOs who haven't played D1 ball and a guy that hasn't played in 2 years. On top of that rysheed Jordan and Chris obekpa have been our most inconsistent players the last couple of years. Both in behavior and on the court peformance.

With all that said it isn't being talked about enough that this year will be a learning process for Chris as a coach. You can't expect him in his first year on the job to take a team that is 90% newcomers and expect him to pull off a miracle and finish top 5 in the league.

I'll take a 6-7 spot finish in the big east and be happy with it, the arrival of Mustapha Heron and other 2016 studs is when I expect the program to take off. I'm sticking with my assessment and saying there is a 0% chance this team is better than last years. Love to be wrong. But I have to much respect for what DLo, Dom, and Phil did to even fathom Rysheed Jordan, Durand Johnson, and Malik Ellison even coming close to that quality of play

Where your confusing me with your statement is saying you'll be happy with 6-7 finish but then saying a top 5 finish would be a miracle. That could be the difference between a made and a missed ft.

 

[JohnnyFan]

define better? Chance to finish higher (better) in the BE: yes. Chance to win an NCAA Tourney game: yes.

I measure better by going deeper into the tournament so winning a game. I don't think there's a chance they do it. Again, prove me wrong I'd love eating crow in march but don't see it

I think it's impossible to predict how next year's team will perform. Mullin and staff have obviously done an amazing job of assembling quality talent in an extremely short period of time. That said, we will be counting on freshmen, transfers and a first year coach.

I have every confidence that we are headed in the right direction. But, for now, I plan to be patient and enjoy the building process.

 

[Jack Williams]

define better? Chance to finish higher (better) in the BE: yes. Chance to win an NCAA Tourney game: yes.

I measure better by going deeper into the tournament so winning a game. I don't think there's a chance they do it. Again, prove me wrong I'd love eating crow in march but don't see it

I think it's impossible to predict how next year's team will perform. Mullin and staff have obviously done an amazing job of assembling quality talent in an extremely short period of time. That said, we will be counting on freshmen, transfers and a first year coach.

I have every confidence that we are headed in the right direction. But, for now, I plan to be patient and enjoy the building process.

Right there with ya johnny fan! My main concern is posters getting too high expectations and being dissapointed if next season is a struggle. We have to be patient. Go redmen

 

[beast of the east]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

Welcome back Jack.
How'd finals go?

Everything's going great right now. Missed talking SJU hoops even if it was only like two months

I admire your self discipline, kid.

 

[beast of the east]

define better? Chance to finish higher (better) in the BE: yes. Chance to win an NCAA Tourney game: yes.

I measure better by going deeper into the tournament so winning a game. I don't think there's a chance they do it. Again, prove me wrong I'd love eating crow in march but don't see it

I think it's impossible to predict how next year's team will perform. Mullin and staff have obviously done an amazing job of assembling quality talent in an extremely short period of time. That said, we will be counting on freshmen, transfers and a first year coach.

I have every confidence that we are headed in the right direction. But, for now, I plan to be patient and enjoy the building process.

Your attitude is prudent, and a good one at that. Reasonably expect that if the squad fails to win at least 7 games in conference, there will be loud declarations that the Mullin experiment is a failure. Like nearly all, I'm impressed with the decisiveness and dedication exhibited so far, in hiring quality assistants, and recruiting immediately. I expect the overall record to hover in the .500 range, and wouldn't be shocked if we finished a couple of games under .500. I'd love to be surprised.

In terms of Jack's comments about last year's squad, it was poorly constructed with mostly guards, and we squeaked into the tourney in part because of the experience of a senior laden rotation. Thoroughly enjoyable season, well, most enjoyable season.

 

[Marillac]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

An Uncharacteristicly imprudent imprudent post by you, Jack. Approaching a prediction based on what a team loses is not wise. Individually Dlo and Pointer are very tough to replace, but last season's squad was riddled with gaping holes....no size, zero depth, no scoring out of anyone above 6'4, only two reliable shooters, etc. Obekpa was a complete nonfactor in conference play and Jordan had a week stretch that cost us 2-3 wins.

The upcoming team has more size, more shooters (and at more positions), more depth, and more scoring ability. We have three all-Big East caliber guys and two potential draft picks.

Let's not forget how many rebounds we lost because of the size mismatches and how many easy layups were given up down low by guys givng up 4-6 inches.

We will not finish 8th. We will compete for an NCAA berth. This guy loses all credibility by putting Butler 5th. They are a clear top two team with a good chance to win the conference.

 

[Jack Williams]

I see us better this yr We will have better rebounding ,better all around shooting add a coach and staff that are knowledgeable, better size and every positions. If we can play decent D we can make the ncaa tourney. I know its a stretch but can see us motivated and doing it

IMO there is a 0% chance we are better this year. Some of you have amnesia. DLo, Dom, and Phil had phenomenal senior seasons, and we aren't ready to match how good they were. We are rebuilding and will get there. But for now no.

An Uncharacteristicly imprudent imprudent post by you, Jack. Approaching a prediction based on what a team loses is not wise. Individually Dlo and Pointer are very tough to replace, but last season's squad was riddled with gaping wholes....no size, zero depth, no scoring out of anyone above 6'4, only two reliable shooters, etc. Obekpa was a complete nonfactor in conference play and Jordan had a week stretch that cost us 2-3 wins.

The upcoming team has more size, more shooters (and at more positions), more depth, and more scoring ability. We have three all-Big East caliber guys and two potential draft picks.

Let's not forget how many rebounds we lost because of the size mismatches and how many easy layups were given up down low by guys givng up 4-6 inches.

We will not finish 8th. We will compete for an NCAA berth. This guy loses all credibility by putting Butler 5th. They are a clear top two team with a good chance to win the conference.

I don't wanna come off as pessimistic so I'll stop arguing. I'm very excited for next season. But I don't think we compete for a tournament next season. I'm excited to see mullin progress as a coach and the team mesh together throughout the year. As I said before I think we are a lot like Marquette was this past year. They had some good players such as Carlino and fisher but with a new coach and new players didn't have a great year. That's what I envision for next season.