Who will be the Big East favorite for 2014?

[SixTwentySix]

The culture shock I could see would be the style of play/amount of contact that the refs allow. Not trying to be an elitist, but would the new comers be used to Big East style no blood-no foul, 5 bodies on the floor rough play (Louisville Syracuse last night was a great example of that, even though we don't have either team).

Of course, the follow up question is will we still have the same refs that allow that style of play? Or will Nova and Georgetown be the ones with the culture shock of a 'softer' big east?

Anybody who says this has never seen a A-10 game.... nothing personal the top 10 teams of the A-10 are every bit as physical as the big East both currently and for the past recent history...

With all due respect I watch A10 games regularly, and I agree with Delta. No league is as physical on a game to game basis as the Big East. There's a reason it's stated regularly by every sports analyst there is. The last time I saw Xavier in a physical match with a Big East team, there was a fist fight and ejections. If the league retains the same officials, the new schools will have to adjust without losing their cool, regardless of how fast they do it. There's a reason Big East games are so low scoring and defense/toughness is paramount. Points aren't scored, they're earned.

On the flipside, as Delta stated, if the league ends up with new officials schools like Nova and GU are in trouble. You'll see them fouling out 3 players before halftime. It's the C7 that will have the culture shock.

[jkc_dawgs]

Butler will be ready physically. No question. Not trying to gloat here, but many coaches have said that Butler is the toughest team they have played up to this date (Tom Crean, Mark Few, etc.). Butler should be just fine.

[XU85]

The culture shock I could see would be the style of play/amount of contact that the refs allow. Not trying to be an elitist, but would the new comers be used to Big East style no blood-no foul, 5 bodies on the floor rough play (Louisville Syracuse last night was a great example of that, even though we don't have either team).

The last time I saw Xavier in a physical match with a Big East team, there was a fist fight and ejections. If the league retains the same officials, the new schools will have to adjust without losing their cool, regardless of how fast they do it. There's a reason Big East games are so low scoring and defense/toughness is paramount. Points aren't scored, they're earned.

On the flipside, as Delta stated, if the league ends up with new officials schools like Nova and GU are in trouble. You'll see them fouling out 3 players before halftime. It's the C7 that will have the culture shock.

I am not sure I understand the point you are trying to make by bringing up the Xavier/UC game. Xavier clearly had no problem with how physical UC was, as they won the game by 20 points. The problems was trash talking. Xavier will have no problem with physical play in new league.

[BillEsq]

The culture shock I could see would be the style of play/amount of contact that the refs allow. Not trying to be an elitist, but would the new comers be used to Big East style no blood-no foul, 5 bodies on the floor rough play (Louisville Syracuse last night was a great example of that, even though we don't have either team).

Of course, the follow up question is will we still have the same refs that allow that style of play? Or will Nova and Georgetown be the ones with the culture shock of a 'softer' big east?

Anybody who says this has never seen a A-10 game.... nothing personal the top 10 teams of the A-10 are every bit as physical as the big East both currently and for the past recent history...

With all due respect I watch A10 games regularly, and I agree with Delta. No league is as physical on a game to game basis as the Big East. There's a reason it's stated regularly by every sports analyst there is. The last time I saw Xavier in a physical match with a Big East team, there was a fist fight and ejections. If the league retains the same officials, the new schools will have to adjust without losing their cool, regardless of how fast they do it. There's a reason Big East games are so low scoring and defense/toughness is paramount. Points aren't scored, they're earned.

On the flipside, as Delta stated, if the league ends up with new officials schools like Nova and GU are in trouble. You'll see them fouling out 3 players before halftime. It's the C7 that will have the culture shock.

Your crazy... The A-10 has some of the most physical teams in NCAA basketball... to say otherwise is almost laughable. Geesh I'll give you that there is more talent in the Big East, but no credible basketball mind would say that the A-10 is anything but a punch in the face week to week, outside of 1-2 bad teams a year the A-10 is a brutal conference and has been for a long time.

[BostonFriar11]

While we could hardly be considered "favorites," do not rule out the Friars next year. A couple things need to swing our way: Ricky Ledo needs to hold off from declaring for the Draft, and there are rumors that Kadeem Batts is looking towards Europe. However, if they come back, we have Bryce Cotton, the BE's leading scorer; what will be a stronger and hopefully focused LaDontae Henton; Kris Dunn (former McD's AA) will have a full season and not be hampered by injuries; a Top 100 recruit in Brandon Austin; and a real sleeper recruit in Rodney Bullock. Add in transfers Tyler Harris (former Top 100 from NC State) and Carson Desrosiers (former Top 100 from Wake Forest) and we could do some real damage. Also figure in some addition by subtraction with Sidiki Johnson being shown the door.

[Westbrook36]

Just one Nova fan's ranking of next years Big East pre season rankings.(Is there a Dayton joke in there somewhere?)


1. Marquette
2. Georgetown
3. Villanova
4. St. John's
5. Providence
6. Xavier
7. Butler
8. Creighton(switch with X if McDermott returns)
9. Seton Hall
10. DePaul

I guess I'm going to catch some flak from newcomer fans, but reading your boards I really think alot of you REALLY underestimate St. John's and Providence. Check their rosters out, they are loaded with 4 and 5 star recruits. They're both very young and physically talented and trending up with good new coaches, most in the BE expect(ed) breakout years for them soon. You'll find lots of their fanbase expect to be ranked or at least make a run(also receiving votes) at being ranked next year. I'd be shocked if 4/5 of my top 5 aren't tourney reams next year, I really expect all 5 of them to make the dance next year.

Apologies if that sounded snobby or elitist, I really do respect Xavier, Butler, & Creighton. All are great basketball programs and additions, I just think the Johnnies and Friars are on the upswing and Creighton(without Doug) and Butler might be in a rebuilding type year. Then again I could be dead wrong.

[SixTwentySix]

Your crazy... The A-10 has some of the most physical teams in NCAA basketball... to say otherwise is almost laughable. Geesh I'll give you that there is more talent in the Big East, but no credible basketball mind would say that the A-10 is anything but a punch in the face week to week, outside of 1-2 bad teams a year the A-10 is a brutal conference and has been for a long time.

I was giving my opinion, and every time I watch an A-10 game, it's not as physical as the Big East. I'm allowed to disagree with you. One thing I wont do though is call your opinion crazy, laughable, or make the claim that you fail in comparison to any credible basketball mind.

[BillEsq]

Your crazy... The A-10 has some of the most physical teams in NCAA basketball... to say otherwise is almost laughable. Geesh I'll give you that there is more talent in the Big East, but no credible basketball mind would say that the A-10 is anything but a punch in the face week to week, outside of 1-2 bad teams a year the A-10 is a brutal conference and has been for a long time.

I was giving my opinion, and every time I watch an A-10 game, it's not as physical as the Big East. I'm allowed to disagree with you. One thing I wont do though is call your opinion crazy, laughable, or make the claim that you fail in comparison to any credible basketball mind.

I'm sorry Six... i'm prolly a little over excited its been a big weekend for this Irish-american. I shouldn't doubt your credentials either as being a big 5ver you get to see A-lot of A-ten and i usually agree with your opinions anyways. (best wishes to your guys in the draw tonight and have a Guinness on me tonight)

[SixTwentySix]

Your crazy... The A-10 has some of the most physical teams in NCAA basketball... to say otherwise is almost laughable. Geesh I'll give you that there is more talent in the Big East, but no credible basketball mind would say that the A-10 is anything but a punch in the face week to week, outside of 1-2 bad teams a year the A-10 is a brutal conference and has been for a long time.

I was giving my opinion, and every time I watch an A-10 game, it's not as physical as the Big East. I'm allowed to disagree with you. One thing I wont do though is call your opinion crazy, laughable, or make the claim that you fail in comparison to any credible basketball mind.

I'm sorry Six... i'm prolly a little over excited its been a big weekend for this Irish-american. I shouldn't doubt your credentials either as being a big 5ver you get to see A-lot of A-ten and i usually agree with your opinions anyways. (best wishes to your guys in the draw tonight and have a Guinness on me tonight)

For what it's worth, I think the A-10 is physical league, one of the most actually. It's just not the Big East. And all I was trying to say is there will be a period of adaptation between the new schools and the old schools that have been playing together for such a long time. It may only take a couple games, it may take a couple seasons, but it will be there.

Grats to SLU, I was really pulling for them. And I'll be upset if they don't end up in the Big East in the near future... Nova needs revenge for that loss you handed us last season

[The Partisan]

Culture shock may be a touch strong, but the new teams will need to adjust to the grind of the BE schedule.

This year's NCAA:
Gtwon
Villanova
Marquette
Butler
Creighton

Providence, St. Johns, and Xavier not bad.

So next year, going into the season, I can see 7 of 10 teams with a chance at NCAA's.