USA Today BE Preseason Rankings

paultzman

paultzman

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Reasonable in my opinion;

7. St. John’s Red Storm

► What to watch: Marcus LoVett Jr., a heavily recruited point guard who was initially in last season’s class, has gained his eligibility. LoVett will take the reins of the offense from Federico Mussini, a rising sophomore who struggled to orchestrate the team’s offense from the point guard spot. He will be joined by Shamorie Ponds, a four-star 6-1 freshman guard who figures to operate as an undersized off-the-ball shooter. These two players provide the Red Storm with their best recruiting class in recent memory and the best reason for future hope.

► Bottom line: Last season featured significant roster turnover and growing pains as coach Chris Mullin’s newest players integrated. However, the Red Storm talent profile is undoubtedly solid. Rising sophomores Kassoum Yakwe, a forward, and Yanuba Sima, a center, formed one of the best defensive frontcourts in the country and should take a step forward on the offensive end, particularly with stronger guard play around them. It might take another season for them to truly make the jump, but St. John’s return to relevance is quickly approaching.

USA TODAY Sports – Verified account ‏@USATODAYsports

College basketball season preview: National champs reign supreme in Big East. http://usat.ly/2dXiCAu
 
I agree with you Paultz. This is a very reasonable assessment by this writer at USA Today. After seeing our backcourt in action for the first time I already love Ponds and Lovett. They are true PG's but also are capable of much more. You can see the talent. People who are picking us at the very bottom will be pleasantly surprised. Better yet teams that take us lightly will really be surprised as I think on certain nights we will give teams fits. I am really looking forward to seeing these guys grow in confidence and as a team together.

I love his last sentence about our return to prominence. If we can get the transfers and the big man on the court next season things will really be interesting. Coach Mullin has us pointed in the right direction. I trust he they are still pounding the recruiting trail. :)
 
Probably the first preseason ranking that is in line with our expectations here. The type of talent I saw last night is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. RF is polished. Bashir is extremely well-rounded IMO. And to have not one but two guards who can beat you off the dribble consistently..finally! Could surprise a lot of people this year. The only hurdles I see are:

1) Learning how to win close game/finish off opponents.

2) Not having experience collectively as a unit. That's not to be confused with having inexperienced players. In my mind having a young team is not an excuse. We have some European players who had been playing with grownups for 2-3 years. Bashir is a grown man. Just need to figure each other out as teammates in the first 2-3 months of the season and we will be very dangerous. Expect some noise to be made in the BE tournament this March.

3) Maher pulling a malice in the palace and throwing something at Mullin if he makes contact with the scorer's table.
 
In looking at last night's box score and having watched the game, Lovett had only 1 turnover! ONE! I realize the competition isn't high level but for someone who handles the ball that much this is a great sign for this season. A true PG who doesn't treat the ball like a hand grenade. Good sign for this season,
 
Probably the first preseason ranking that is in line with our expectations here. The type of talent I saw last night is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. RF is polished. Bashir is extremely well-rounded IMO. And to have not one but two guards who can beat you off the dribble consistently..finally! Could surprise a lot of people this year. The only hurdles I see are:

1) Learning how to win close game/finish off opponents.

2) Not having experience collectively as a unit. That's not to be confused with having inexperienced players. In my mind having a young team is not an excuse. We have some European players who had been playing with grownups for 2-3 years. Bashir is a grown man. Just need to figure each other out as teammates in the first 2-3 months of the season and we will be very dangerous. Expect some noise to be made in the BE tournament this March.

3) Maher pulling a malice in the palace and throwing something at Mullin if he makes contact with the scorer's table.
Click to expand...
Rumor has it that Maher was at the Bills-Patriots game on Sunday...
 
Ive been trying to tell you all this years team has a reasonable chance at the tourney. Lovett alone last year gets us to 13 wins with that group. This year is such a bump up in talent plus the normal improvement of our solid last year returnees. My optimism is realistic.

Yes this was exhibition but we did what a good team is supposed to do. Destroyed a team we were supposed to beat which by the way almost beat Seton hall last year.
 
Probably the first preseason ranking that is in line with our expectations here. The type of talent I saw last night is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. RF is polished. Bashir is extremely well-rounded IMO. And to have not one but two guards who can beat you off the dribble consistently..finally! Could surprise a lot of people this year. The only hurdles I see are:

1) Learning how to win close game/finish off opponents.

2) Not having experience collectively as a unit. That's not to be confused with having inexperienced players. In my mind having a young team is not an excuse. We have some European players who had been playing with grownups for 2-3 years. Bashir is a grown man. Just need to figure each other out as teammates in the first 2-3 months of the season and we will be very dangerous. Expect some noise to be made in the BE tournament this March.

3) Maher pulling a malice in the palace and throwing something at Mullin if he makes contact with the scorer's table.
Click to expand...
For MSG games I'd have to throw across the court from where we sit but I have a real good arm so don't put it past me and pretzels travel far. I'd never throw beer and waste it though :)
 
Probably the first preseason ranking that is in line with our expectations here. The type of talent I saw last night is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. RF is polished. Bashir is extremely well-rounded IMO. And to have not one but two guards who can beat you off the dribble consistently..finally! Could surprise a lot of people this year. The only hurdles I see are:

1) Learning how to win close game/finish off opponents.

2) Not having experience collectively as a unit. That's not to be confused with having inexperienced players. In my mind having a young team is not an excuse. We have some European players who had been playing with grownups for 2-3 years. Bashir is a grown man. Just need to figure each other out as teammates in the first 2-3 months of the season and we will be very dangerous. Expect some noise to be made in the BE tournament this March.

3) Maher pulling a malice in the palace and throwing something at Mullin if he makes contact with the scorer's table.
Click to expand...
Rumor has it that Maher was at the Bills-Patriots game on Sunday...
Click to expand...
That was the funniest video I have seen in a while. The ref was looking at it and afraid to pick it up. I was literally cracking up watching the tv. Brady saw it too
 
CBS Sports chimes in;


Matt Norlander – Verified account ‏@MattNorlander

A stacked @BIGEAST preview, including projected win totals for every team and a twist on the notion of X-factors. http://cbsprt.co/2fjNc7x
 
CBS Sports chimes in;


Matt Norlander – Verified account ‏@MattNorlander

A stacked @BIGEAST preview, including projected win totals for every team and a twist on the notion of X-factors. http://cbsprt.co/2fjNc7x
Click to expand...


They don't show St John's a whole lot of love (picked 8th, 9th or 10th)
I think we will exceed all of their predictions
Nice to see Shamorie get recognition as the preseason Freshman of the Year
Is LoVett (a redshirt freshman) eligible for freshman awards?
 
I'm far from predicting postseason play, but think this will be a fun one to revisit in a few months. Notably:

"...but I don't see how this team is suddenly able to score and be efficient in a matter of months after having far and away the worst offense in the league last season."

How about by adding potentially their 4 best scorers anew this year, and moving others (Mussini/Yawke) into roles where their scoring is more supplemental as opposed to relied upon. :)

"But with the caliber of coach in this league, you can't just put blue-chip recruit Shamorie Ponds out there and expect wins to follow."

Perhaps I'm not following closely enough, but strikes me the plan is slightly more nuanced than that. :)
 
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