Looking at the upcoming Season - PREVIEW THREAD

[Friarfan2]

We can nitpick and debate about projections all day, and I guess that is what this thread is for. But here I am going to try to lay out some of the "on paper" information that will allow us to project the upcoming season! (I am sure there will be some "misinformation" or slight inaccuracies in this post, no need to cry a river if your team feels slighted)

Tourney teams from last year: (half the league)
Georgeown: 2 seed from last season.
Great team last season. Obviously the loss of Otto Porter is big, but they do return Markel Starks, Greg Whittington, Smith-Rivera, Lubick, Hopkins and Trawick. So pretty much everyone except Porter. They also add a 6-7 highly regarded recruit in Reggie Cameron.

No reason why Georgetown should not be a legitimate national contender this year and in the top 15 all season long.

Marquette: 3 seed, Elite 8 team
Marquette loses Vander Blue, Trent Lockett and Junior Cadougan (87.7 mpg, 43% of their court time, and their leading scorer (Blue), leading assist man (cadougan), and leading rebounder (Lockett).

Lost a significant portion of their production. May be a work in progress this season, and may take a step back and miss the dance. They still have some good players (Devante Gardner) and a great coach, so watching Marquette turn it on and make the dance would not be a surprise. Making the tournament would be considered a successful rebuilding effort this season.

Butler: 6 seed
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but this team loses a lot (in terms of players and staff) and is a long shot to finish in the top half of the league.

Creighton: 7 seed
Creighton loses big man Echenique and 30 mpg game guy Grant Gibbs, but return one of the best players in the nation in Doug McDermott. McDermott was the only double digit scorer on the team, teams best rebounder, and clearly the team runs through him. The losses of Echenique and Gibbs can not be ignored, as Echenique was a good inside presence (remember him from his mistake of going to Rutgers first) and Gibbs averaged almost 6 assists per game.

Star power and an elite player can go a long way in college basketball. Who knows, maybe this could be a special year for Creighton? Let's all hope McDermott stays healthy and helps his team to a big run in the dance. Notonly expect Creighton to make the dance, but they should be ranked most of the year and make national news on a regular basis.

Villanova: 9 seed
Return most of their team from last year. They lose their center, Yarou, and a back up bench big man in Sutton. Their sophomore center, Ochefu, could be better than Yarou but will be significantly less polished and the front court may pose an issue at times. Villanova has those pesky tweener guys with Pinkston scoring in the paint and James Bell can play big on defense. Their back court looks solid with Ryan Archidicono and Darrun Hillard and the transfer from Rice, Ennis. Seems like their incoming recruits are going to be more bodies to fill in that tweener pf/sf who can shoot position that Jay Wright likes to have on the floor.

You have to expect Villanova to be dancing this year, and along with Georgetown and Creighton should be one of the league's more consistently ranked teams.

The other half (teams that did not make the tourney)

Teams that could break through:

St. John's: NIT team
Don't know what to think about St. John's. I don't think they lose anybody. They are supposed to have talent. But is older going to be better in this case? This team finished the regular season losing 8 of their final 10 and 7 of their final 8, with a squeeker win in the NIT against a lousy St. Joe's team.

This team could be good. They could stink. I like to think they can break through, but their inconsistencies last year (or should we say, consistent losing down the stretch) has me concerned.

Providence: NIT Team Quarterfinals
Providence won 19 games last year. Considering they lost 7 of their first 15 games to the likes of UMass, Penn State, Brown, BC and DePaul, it was pretty impressive to go on that run. Friars finished the regular season 7-3 and the complete season 9-4 against some pretty tough competition.
The foundation of the team is back this season, with Bryce Cotton, Kadeem Batts, LaDontae Henton all returning. We are waiting to see if Kris Dunn can break out.

People in Providence are optimistic that this year's team can break through, perhaps earning a national ranking and win some tournament games.

Xavier: 17-14
I'm really short on Xavier knowledge right now. They beat some ranked teams down the stretch last year (St. Louis, Memphis), I believe they are returning the main core of their team, and this is a program that is known for consistent winning.

Again, I don't know enough about this roster to make a projection, but with Xavier I would never be surprised to see them dance.

Should we even talk about these teams?

DePaul:
These guys never win games, why should that change this season?

Seton Hall:
Loads of off season troubles (some recruit bailed on them to play in Europe, another got hit up on burg charges, and another ended up being shipped back to Isreal and not being allowed to return). Terrible coaching. Tradition of losing. Not expecting much.

My Predictions:
National Contenders:
(1) Georgetown
(2) Creighton
Should make the dance, could be ranked:
(3) Villanova
Hopes to make the tournament:
(4) Providence
(5) Marquette
(6) St. John's
(7) Xavier
Will probably struggle:
(8) Butler
(9) DePaul
(10) Seton Hall

[Jays26]

Grant Gibbs is back for Creighton. He got a 6th yr.

[bluejayfanatic]

Creighton loses big man Echenique and 30 mpg game guy Grant Gibbs

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... ligibility

[Bulldog_Muskie]

I'd put Marquette, Georgetown, and Creighton in the top three then Seton hall and Depaul at the bottom. Everything in between is a wash for me. I could see any of those teams fill in those spots. Looks like every conference game should carry a lot of weight this year!

[Friarfan2]

Grant Gibbs is back for Creighton. He got a 6th yr.

Great news. Thanks for the info.

[Friarfan2]

I'd put Marquette, Georgetown, and Creighton in the top three

Curious, why Marquette? They seem to be losing a lot of fire power. After a nice run for a few years, this looks to be a step back/rebuilding year.

Like I said, I think there is a clear top 2 in Creighton and Georgetown, and I think Villanova looks pretty solid with a lot returning from a tournament team. Those three stand above the rest, in my opinion. I put Marquette in the question mark category with St. John's, Providence and Xavier. Who knows what will happen with those teams.

[redmen9194]

The Johnnies bring back just about everyone from last season and add some more talent. They will make the dance this season and finish in the top half of the league. They lost their last eight games but D'Angelo Harrison was suspended for the last six or so. I think G'Town, Quette, Johnnies, Creighton and Nova will be in with Providence on the bubble. Of course we have to play the games but I think we get at least half in.

[Friarfan2]

The Johnnies could be fantastic and could win games in March. They could also fail to gell, let egos get in the way, and implode. They might be the most talented team in the league, but when you see how they finished last year one has to scratch their head.

I would love to see the Johnnies make a deep tourney run. Would be great for the league to have NYC's premiere basketball program re-enter the national stage.

I think the Johnnies and Providence are in similar situations. Both have lots of talent (albeit, on paper the Johnnies looks better), but both have youth and chemistry issues and need to establish a winning identity in their programs. I like how Providence finished last season and hope that is an indication that they are ready to perform.

[milwaukeejedi1]

I'd put Marquette, Georgetown, and Creighton in the top three

Curious, why Marquette? They seem to be losing a lot of fire power. After a nice run for a few years, this looks to be a step back/rebuilding year.

Like I said, I think there is a clear top 2 in Creighton and Georgetown, and I think Villanova looks pretty solid with a lot returning from a tournament team. Those three stand above the rest, in my opinion. I put Marquette in the question mark category with St. John's, Providence and Xavier. Who knows what will happen with those teams.

I'll quote Goodman of ESPN (http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/ ... 8/big-east) since he has Marquette winning the conference title.

"1. Marquette Golden Eagles

Buzz Williams and the Golden Eagles lost a bunch of last season's team. Vander Blue made a poor decision and decided to leave school early, and the team also lost true point guard Junior Cadougan and fellow starter Trent Lockett. However, this program has been pretty successful since Williams took over five years ago, going to the NCAA tournament each time and winning at least 22 games in five consecutive seasons. Marquette will need Jamil Wilson to step into a starring role, and he's certainly more than capable.

One thing Williams does possess is two quality, veteran big men in Davante Gardner and Chris Otule. The key could come at the point guard position where junior Derrick Wilson and freshman Duane Wilson will battle for the starting spot. Marquette brings in a talented five-man recruiting class that should help, one that includes long and talented Memphis wing JaJuan Johnson and strong Milwaukee native Deonte Burton."

[redmen9194]

Let me say something about Marquette, they are always in it. It doesn't matter who they lose, who gets hurt, etc., they are always in it. So if you ask me, they will be in the NCAA tourney in march because I have yet to see a reason why they wouldn't be.