Big East Hoops Preview
With the OOC portion of the schedule dwindling down, finally we are here. No more Morgan State, Houston Baptist or Alabama State -- its time for league play. The Big East slate this season in going to be gruesome -- there will be no place to hide. Granted there is some filler at the bottom of the league ( DePaul, St John's, Rutgers and USF) -- but even those games can at times be tests. At the top of the league, you have eight teams currently in the AP top 25 and six in the top 15. How good is the league? I have current #24 Marquette slotted to finish 10th...Here is a quick look at the teams: where they will finish, who the top scorers are (with this year's early averages), and who is going to be All Big East First Team.
Lots of talent and lots of balance -- this might be Dixon's year to go to the Final Four.Will someone step and hit the three ball? if so the Huskies can also get to Detroit.- 3) Louisville (13-5) NCAA
Always loaded with talent, will Samuels live up to his billing? how do they replace Padgett?- 4) Notre Dame (12-6) NCAA
Gody and McAlarney are savvy vets that get the job done.- 5) Georgetown (11-7) NCAA
Some nice pieces return for JTIII and Monroe looks like a beast.- 6) West Virginia (10-8) NCAA
WVU will surprise some folks, getting Ebanks will be big.Devo's days are numbered, but you have to feel that JB is going to will his team into the dance -- three years in a row in the NIT for the Orange? Impossible.I expect Wright's boys to have an up and down year in the rough and tough Big East, not to worry a national top 5 class is coming in next fall with a couple of bigs.Not a good league for on the job training as Keno Davis will soon find, but the Friars will get better as the season goes on.I always feel that Marquette is overrated, this year I will be right.- 11) Seton Hall (7-11) NIT
Gonzo is on the verge of either getting his team over the hump or a nervous breakdown -- recruits always bailing is not a great sign.Cinci is a solid club, unfortunately this year -- that gets you nowhere.Lil' Mase going down is not going to help the always short handed Roberts' squads.Despite Rutgersal's proclamations, things are not getting much better on the floor in Piscataway. Hill can recruit, but coach...not so much.They should beat Memphis in the St Pete's Bowl.Morgan State losses are unacceptable, especially on the heels of a 30 point loss to Northwestern.
All Big East Starting FiveJonny Flynn, Syracuse, G, So.
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Jr.
Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr.
Luke
Harangody,
Notre Dame, F, Jr.
Hasheem
Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr.