After last week's 2008-09 media day for the Big East Men's Basketball season, it seemed fitting to start making predictions and previews.
Big East basketball is similar to the SEC in football, because there's never a true favorite and the battles are timeless. What's better than watching Syracuse and UConn duking it out with zone defenses and premier guard play? How about a classic Notre Dame-Georgetown four-overtime thriller that only gets there because of the dreaded four-point play? What about Georgetown, one of the nations top scoring teams, traveling to Rutgers and squeezing out a healthy 58-46 victory?
The Big East is the best basketball conference, bar none, and here is a short preview of the season to come.
Preseason Awards
Player of the Year: You have to start with Luke Harangody of Notre Dame. He won the award as a sophomore last year and is still fine-tuning his game. He was recently given the pre-season award by the league and I really have no way to argue this. Very few people have the chance to compete with his numbers. Last year he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in only 30 minutes per game. Good luck to the competition.
Coach of the Year: Mike Brey of Notre Dame has won this award two years in a row and I find it hard to believe it'll happen a third time. I'm going out on a limb and giving it to first year coach at Marquette, Buzz Williams. Williams is inheriting a very talented, veteran group and his tenure under Tom Crean is invaluable. Look for Marquette to hit 5th or 6th in the league, and that should be enough to propel a rookie coach to receive an award. Bob Huggins is in the same boat if he can improve a solid WVU team. Other than that, I think John Thompson III could get mention if Georgetown can get back to the top, but only the top, of the Big East.
13 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jameson Fleming 8 months ago
I generally agree with the order you rank the teams. Rutgers is a lot better than you think. They've got a strong leader in JR Inman and a nice group of underclassman. RU's freshman class is probably the best its had in 20 years. They will make some noise.
I think Providence is good enough to make the NCAA Tournament. The Friars return everybody and also get back Sharaud Curry who missed all but one game. Keno Davis is a great coach and should the Friars into winners this year.
I think you overrate West Virginia and Georgetown. I've written a long diatribe on why I think the Hoya's are overrated, check my archives for that one. WVU should finish behind Syracuse in my mind. WVU didn't lose too much, but SU will take strides forward this year considering they return/bring in a nice core of nine players who are all very talented.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tony Bishop 8 months ago
Thanks for the comments Jameson.
I'll admit that Providence and Syracuse gave me the most trouble. I like Keno Davis and all, but last year that team underachieved and only time will tell if they can get back on track. Until then, I think I ranked them appropriately. If they make the tournament that might mean the Big East gets nine teams in, not that they wouldn't deserve it.
I hate Boeheim with a livid passion, but he's a phenomenal coach that always gets the best out of his players. I think they'll end up higher than my ranking if they get a surprise player or two and get a couple of big wins at home (they definitely have that capability).
I'll check out your articles on Georgetown.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kirk Adkins 8 months ago
dont sleep on WVU they are deep for the first time in a long time with 7 guys returning that saw playing time...two are starters. With Ebanks and Kevin Jones as young and very talented bench players the team looks to go 9 or 10 deep this year. I agree you have to beat the champ to be the champ, but look for WVU to make some noise and once again surprise many people in the Big East. This a team Huggins is even excited about
Edit Comment Cancel
Thomas Buckingham 8 months ago
Great article... I'd have to agree with you on Luke Harangody being the preseason POY. As for the Coach of the Year, I don’t see Mike Brey winning it again. ND finished 2nd in the BE last year and I see them concluding this year around 4 or 5. I could see Rick Pitino or possible Jim Calhoun winning it. IMO it’s going to be either of those teams winning the Big East next year. With the recruiting Pitino pulled in as well as having to deal with Williams injury to soon start the season off with, make me believe he’s the preseason front runner.
The “Generic Teams” look ordered pretty well, I could see Cincinnati making a little run at some point during the season, never want to sleep on them. As for your “Tournament Teams,” I agree with the 9, but I a different order. Syracuse finishing at 8 is worst case scenario for this years team. I see them at 6. West Virginia lost there leader in Alexander and should finish around 9. And as for the big boys, yes I agree with everyone that UConn will finish #1, but Louisville is my #2 and will make UConn work much harder then most people except.
But other then that Great article and keep it up.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Simmons 8 months ago
I like the article. It's hard to put Marquette somewhere with the loss of a big and Tom Crean. But personally I think they should be better than last year. If Dwight Burke can keep his intensity up and get 6-8 points per game and maybe 8-10 rebounds, I think they will be ok for the most part down low. Lazar Hayward made some key improvements in the off-season so I'd look for him to have a big junior season. Key additions include junior college transfers Jimmy Butler and Joseph Fulce. Both should get decent minutes and make an impact in games, especially Fulce. Plus the trio of James, McNeal and Matthews should be as enthused as ever. They are ready to lead this team to both Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament runs. Buzz Williams should do fine on the coaching end. I like Marquette anywhere from 5 to 7.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jameson Fleming 8 months ago
Very fair assessment of Marquette. It'll be interesting to see what kind of effect losing Crean and gaining Williams will have.
As long as MU can figure out a way to prevent teams from exploiting its lack of size they'll be fine.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tony Bishop 8 months ago
I'm right there with Jameson. Losing Crean is HUGE to say the least and that makes Buzz a major wildcard.
Honestly, I think I have the "big four" right, but outside of that I think any of the teams could finish in any order. Whether Louisville is fourth, third or first.. I don't know; but rest assured UConn, ND, Louisville and Pitt will be the top dogs.
I don't discount Marquette in anyway other than the fact that "right now" they lack an inside presence and frankly, in the Big East, you can't survive without a paint player.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Simmons 8 months ago
Yeah it should be interesting. We've quickly seen Buzz's great ability to recruit, but now it comes down to what he can do in the actual game situation.
They might not finish in the top three in the Big East season, but I could definitely see them making a run once March comes around.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tony Bishop 8 months ago
That's the great thing about the Big East.. You say Marquette might not be top three this season.. but could make a run. That's because only three teams can be top three teams. The conference is so deep it could easily get 8 or 9 teams into that tourney.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Simmons 8 months ago
It's going to be a great year. Look at 2005 when MU finished 4th in their first Big East Year with James, McNeal, and Matthews all starting as freshmen. You never know what could happen night in and night out. Like you said, that's the great thing about the Big East. You've gotta love it!
Edit Comment Cancel
Goosen's Geese 8 months ago
Why don't you kiss a little more golden-domer ass?
Not a single mention of Louisville (outside of the poll) which is absolutely crazy because an argument could be made that last year they were the best team in regular season Big East play. This year, they are returning the same team for the most part and have added Samardo Samuels to their interior which was their weak point last season. Samuels could very well be the freshmen of the year in the country.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jameson Fleming 8 months ago
The interior was their weakness? David Padgett was the best passing big man in the country. Derick Caracter had his issues but he was a good defender and rebounder.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tony Bishop 8 months ago
I'll admit I'm a Notre Dame homer at times, but when it came to this article I think I was as unbiased as possible. I'm sorry that I agree with millions of people when I put Notre Dame high on the Big East totem pole. They lost one whole guy from the team (other than a transfer from a frosh who didn't play much) in Rob Kurz and I'd say he was by far the weakest player in our starting line up.
I think you're more upset that I didn't put Louisville higher than I did, which is fine. This is all speculation right now.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.