Holy Land fan poll - who finishes in 4th place

[Friarfan2]

I don't think Villanova will win the conference. I think they are far from excellent, and will probably be very inconsistent at times. However, as a unit they did really develop a defensive identity last year that will help them win a lot of games. Also, I think Ochefu is better than Yarou, although they are certainly thin up front after Ochefu. I think Georgetown and Creighton are the league's best chance to make a tourney run, but I expect Villanova to be right up there behind those two teams.

[Bill Marsh]

Marquette

I also voted for Marquette,so how does only 1 vote show up on the graph?

[Bill Marsh]

Can't say I'm surprised, especially with the way Nova has sort have been an afterthought on this board. Nova has the fewest question marks of these teams yet picked to finish behind all of them.

Agree. I don't get the faith some have in those that are perceived to be the top teams in the new BE.

[Bill Marsh]

Can't say I'm surprised, especially with the way Nova has sort have been an afterthought on this board. Nova has the fewest question marks of these teams yet picked to finish behind all of them.

Feel the same about where PC was picked. Only lost their senior PG but a sophomore McD's AA is taking over for him. Return everyone else including the leading scorer in the BE, a potential All League PF/C and also add two ACC transfers and a freshman ranked #56 by ESPN. The team was decimated by injuries during the non-conference slate last year (Council, Dunn, Cotton) and likely would have won a couple more close games early in the year had those players been available for all games and we didn't have to rely on a walk-on for major minutes.

However, when I look at the teams picked above PC I can't really question any of them based on recent success levels.

Main question marks is how will the McD's AA sophomore handle full time PG duties and who else will shoot it consistely from three other than Cotton.

It will certainly be a fight for the top 5 spots in the league.

You didn't even mention that Providence returns the kid who led the Big East in scoring last year.

Have no fear. The Friars will finish in the top half of this league and will make the NCAA tournament. Some of the teams projected for the top will be in for a rude awakening.

[handdownmandown]

Some of the teams projected for the top will be in for a rude awakening.

Who, and why?

[Bill Marsh]

Can't say I'm surprised, especially with the way Nova has sort have been an afterthought on this board. Nova has the fewest question marks of these teams yet picked to finish behind all of them.

Villanova only finished 7th last season and lose their Starting Center who was far and away the teams best rebounder and only interior threat. Ochefu has a lot of promise, but since he chose to go to Villanova instead of Georgetown he'll probably never realize it. In addition for being a guard oriented team Villanova did not shoot the ball well from 3 last year with only James Bell hitting over 33% of players who took the shot frequently enough for it to be meaningful. And again for being a guard oriented team they turned the ball over far too often. Villanova was a good defensive team and a mediocre offensive team. Villanova's entire offense was based off of getting to the freethrow line. They did that well, but the rest of the offense was mediocre and there's no assurance that will improve especially with replacing Yarou with Ochefu who was a decent shot blocker but not good at much else and was very foul prone.

Well, we could say a lot of the same things about Georgetown too, couldn't we?

Don't get me wrong. I'm picking The Hoyas to win the league this year, but it's not like I feel ultra confident about that pick. There were times last year when Porter carried the Hoyas. I saw him in person dismantle UConn in a 2nd OT. Now he's gone. Follow that up with the loss of Whittington, and there are serious questions about Georgetown.

IMO anyone who wants to win the Big East championship this year will have to go through Villanova to get there. Ochefu was a 4-star recruit 2 years ago, so I see no reason why he won't be ready to step up after a year of college ball under his belt. Freshman Kris Jenkins, another 4-star, in a 230 pound bruiser and should be able to supply the muscle inside that was lost with Mpuphatou's departure.

[Bill Marsh]

Some of the teams projected for the top will be in for a rude awakening.

Who, and why?

Throw the names up in the air and grab one. They all have issues as well as strengths. Matquette is the one I have the least confidence in.

[Dave]

There were times last year when Porter carried the Hoyas. I saw him in person dismantle UConn in a 2nd OT. Now he's gone.

At Syracuse...

[MUBoxer]

Some of the teams projected for the top will be in for a rude awakening.

Who, and why?

Throw the names up in the air and grab one. They all have issues as well as strengths. Matquette is the one I have the least confidence in.

You never did respond to me when we were having our gentlemans disagreement.

[hoyahooligan]

Can't say I'm surprised, especially with the way Nova has sort have been an afterthought on this board. Nova has the fewest question marks of these teams yet picked to finish behind all of them.

Villanova only finished 7th last season and lose their Starting Center who was far and away the teams best rebounder and only interior threat. Ochefu has a lot of promise, but since he chose to go to Villanova instead of Georgetown he'll probably never realize it. In addition for being a guard oriented team Villanova did not shoot the ball well from 3 last year with only James Bell hitting over 33% of players who took the shot frequently enough for it to be meaningful. And again for being a guard oriented team they turned the ball over far too often. Villanova was a good defensive team and a mediocre offensive team. Villanova's entire offense was based off of getting to the freethrow line. They did that well, but the rest of the offense was mediocre and there's no assurance that will improve especially with replacing Yarou with Ochefu who was a decent shot blocker but not good at much else and was very foul prone.

Well, we could say a lot of the same things about Georgetown too, couldn't we?

Don't get me wrong. I'm picking The Hoyas to win the league this year, but it's not like I feel ultra confident about that pick. There were times last year when Porter carried the Hoyas. I saw him in person dismantle UConn in a 2nd OT. Now he's gone. Follow that up with the loss of Whittington, and there are serious questions about Georgetown.

IMO anyone who wants to win the Big East championship this year will have to go through Villanova to get there. Ochefu was a 4-star recruit 2 years ago, so I see no reason why he won't be ready to step up after a year of college ball under his belt. Freshman Kris Jenkins, another 4-star, in a 230 pound bruiser and should be able to supply the muscle inside that was lost with Mpuphatou's departure.

Never said the Hoyas didn't have questions.

And Jenkins may be 230lbs but he's also like 6'5"

Georgetown has plenty of questions, but they've also had questions every year and answered them admirably. I expect the same to happen. I was just responding to the notion that Nova has the least amount of questions. I think Nova has plenty of question marks.

I'd say the Hoyas questions are: 1) Who steps up at SF. 2) When is Smith Eligible and how efficient will the back up center position be.