Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

Down to the final 5.

Here is the schedule::

10th place - DePaul
9th place -Seton Hall
8th place - Butler
7th place - Xavier
6th place - Providence
5th place - Sep 23-26
4th place - Sep 26-29
3rd place - Sep 29 - Oct 2
1st/2nd place - Oct 2-Oct

Things are about to get interesting. I voted St. Johns, but I they have a ton of talent so I could see them in the top 3. I think Nova and St. Johns will be fighting it out for 5th in the poll.

I still think it is going to be really difficult for Creighton to crack the top 3-4. New league; being thrust into the spotlight; different class of athlete than they've competed against; a more physical league; no cupcakes on the schedule; (etc.)

That being said, I voted for SJU.

So at this point everybody has a vote. This could be interesting.

St Johns has had off court issues year after year (Lavin not being there when he was fighting cancer, eligibility issues, last year best player suspended for season). I think they can one of the best teams in the country, but they need to show that they can get through the season without any drama. This COULD be the year but until I see it I pick them 5th.

bman95 wrote:St Johns has had off court issues year after year (Lavin not being there when he was fighting cancer, eligibility issues, last year best player suspended for season). I think they can one of the best teams in the country, but they need to show that they can get through the season without any drama. This COULD be the year but until I see it I pick them 5th.

Yes, but they did win 8 games in the Big East last year, finishing just a game behind Cincinnati & Providence, including wins over Notre Dame, UConn, & Cincinnati as well as OOC wins over Florida Gulf Coast, South Carolina, & St. Joe's. If Lavin has an issue with any of his players, he has so much depth, that he can move past a problem player. This is a program that's on the verge ow winning big time. Anyone who underestimates them, does so at their own risk.

St. John's got the same team back from last year and last years team finished in the middle of the pack. The players are older and wiser and they got Orlando Sanchez and Rasheed Jordon joining them this year and sharpshooter Max Hooper who's a dangerous 3 point shooter. Jakaar Sampson was the Big East Rookie of the year last year and many people think Sanchez is a better player and no doubt Jordon will win Big East Rookie again for St. John's. And then you factor in a more focused D'Angelo Harrison and God's Gift back and this team will dominate and 5th place is out of the question.

SJU87 wrote:St. John's got the same team back from last year and last years team finished in the middle of the pack. The players are older and wiser and they got Orlando Sanchez and Rasheed Jordon joining them this year and sharpshooter Max Hooper who's a dangerous 3 point shooter. Jakaar Sampson was the Big East Rookie of the year last year and many people think Sanchez is a better player and no doubt Jordon will win Big East Rookie again for St. John's. And then you factor in a more focused D'Angelo Harrison and God's Gift back and this team will dominate and 5th place is out of the question.

JaJuan Johnson and Deonte Burton will have something to say about that.

SJU87 wrote:St. John's got the same team back from last year and last years team finished in the middle of the pack. The players are older and wiser and they got Orlando Sanchez and Rasheed Jordon joining them this year and sharpshooter Max Hooper who's a dangerous 3 point shooter. Jakaar Sampson was the Big East Rookie of the year last year and many people think Sanchez is a better player and no doubt Jordon will win Big East Rookie again for St. John's. And then you factor in a more focused D'Angelo Harrison and God's Gift back and this team will dominate and 5th place is out of the question.

Not to be rude but you guys finished 11th last year... I'd hardly call that middle of the pack when there's 15 teams. I agree you guys have a solid team returning though, as far as "dominating" not so much but solid yes.

In regards to St. John's, if one is talking about NBA type of athlete's then St. John's is your team. They're probably top 5 in the country in that regard, that doesn't make them great players though. Last year countless times I watched them play outstanding high level top 5 type of play ... for like 10 minutes, then unfortunately they'd follow that up with some of the dumbest 20 minute stretches you can image. Poor shot selection, turnovers, stupid fouls, poor rebounding, etc. They really are a Jekyll and Hyde team.