RDF
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by RDF on Mar 28, 2005 0:37:11 GMT -5
I think Nova should be in a battle with UConn and Louisville for top honors. Key for Nova will be how their kids adjust to getting some help--local HS products Dante Cunningham who will be named Met Player of Year from Potomac, and Dwyane Anderson will join the mix of talent they have and sharing the basketball will be key among the kids they have returning.
I actually think Cincy has most to lose in Big East. They are a poorly coached basketball team and some of those tight wins in CUSA will be losses in Big East simply because Huggins will get outcoached and his goon squad will play as dumb as they always do. The Big East won't be scared of how they play as it's not any more physical than Pitt and to be honest, they breakdown a lot of times. They are team with most to lose. I like DePaul's future with Leitao and he's a solid coach. WVU will be tough and teams like ND, SJU, SH, and Providence will always be competitive. Rutgers should be better, but pressure will be on Gary Waters next year to produce and rumors are Quincy Douby might transfer.
As for Syracuse--they will need big improvement from their much hyped and little producing JR class-- McCroskey, Roberts, Watkins, Nichols. Boeheim is a good coach and does better than expected when supposedly down.
GU will need Sapp to be an immediate impact player and Spann, Thornton, and Egerson have to be able to contribute off the bench. Spann is the guy to watch as he's going to enter GU as our best frontcourt ball handler--he's got a nice handle. Good shooter and solid all around player. Thornton will provide shooting but needs to improve his all around game and Egerson is wildcard. If we can add a big it'd be nice. Still after the JC player from Southern Idaho and Brandon Rush is still in play--he'd be a great get. I'd have GU as Preseason #6 in Big East but with room to climb standings or drop depending on production from newcomers and how quickly they mesh with returning players.
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Mar 28, 2005 0:43:33 GMT -5
Nova is the no-doubt number one in my book. They thoroughly outplayed UNC. Lowry played one of the most impressive games I've seen in person by a freshman, and Foye is a monster. Sumpter will be back.
Why so much love for Louisville? They have talent, sure, but they lose Garcia, Myles, O'Bannon, and George. Dean and Palacios are nice, but that's about all they return of their big contributers. They've got a lot of question marks in the freshman and sophmore classes that need to shake out before I place them in the Nova/UConn category.
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RBHoya
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Post by RBHoya on Mar 28, 2005 1:56:31 GMT -5
RB, I dont know why he didnt make whatever team or get recent publicity but I dont think you have to be doubting Bynum too much. He was reacruited very heavily by tons of big time programs including UNC and us as well and I heard a lot about him early in the year. I dont disbelieve. However, I think he was likely recruited because of his size and athletecism rather than because hes a great overall player. He was second team all area by The Home News Tribune, which isnt all that impressive considering a) the guys that were first team all division, none of whom appear to be playing big time college ball next year (a lot of JUCO guys and an Ivy Leaguer) and b) the quality of players in his division. He goes to St. Joes Metuchen (the same High School as Jay Williams, PG from Duke) which generally has one of the best basketball teams in the central New Jersey area, but the competition just is not at that high a level... Consider this-- I played in this same division against St. Joes before I got hurt, just a couple of years back. The competition level is NOT that high. And Bynum averaged 17.2 points per game only against these guys.... He's 7'0!!! The centers in his division were probably about 6'5 or 6'6. You'd think hed be a bit more dominant of a scorer, wouldnt you? Especially considering some of the other players in the division averaged 31.0 points per game, and his teammate Sean Baptiste averaged 23.0 points per game. Bynum made the McDonalds game, I think, which to me is just proof that the McDonalds All American game showcases players who are going to big time colleges, rather than showcasing the countries best high school players. I've also heard that Bynum missed some games early in the year with injury, so perhaps that factored in. All in all, even though he was highly recruited, Im not expecting him to be BE Freshman of the year or anything, and Im not shaking in my boots at the sight of him just yet. Im sure with his natural ability he'll really develop into a player, but I dont know that he's going to tear the league up from the outset. Sometimes I think too much stock is put into Rivals and sites like that.... anyway, we shall see I guess. I still think Jesse Sapp has a great chance to be BEROY, considering that hes most likely going to get a lot of minutes in the backcourt next to Ashanti... I also like Marc Egerson--dont ask me why, I just have a gut feeling that the guys a player and that hes physically ready for BE competition.
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 28, 2005 3:02:18 GMT -5
I don't think any of the Froshes start Of course I have no way to know whether any freshmen will end up starting, but you've told me you don't even follow recruiting, so how can you make statements like this without even having any idea how good the incoming guys are. Personally I'd be surprised if either Sapp or Thornton didn't start right off the bat. I've been leaning towards Sapp but depending on how the battles go leading up to next season we could possibly see Thornton starting next to Ashanti. I like Wallace and all, but I simply don't think he brings quite enough to the table to be playing 25-30 minutes on an upper echelon Big East team. When his long distance shot isn't on he barely gives us anything. I'm dying to see someone who can create like I think Sapp can.
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 28, 2005 3:31:15 GMT -5
As much as I really want to participate in this debate, I don't think it's worth it because of how many unknowns there are (I know, what's a talk board w/o unfounded speculation). Since not everyone going pro has said so and the recruiting classes aren't finalized, it's too hard to even guess as to how the BE will shake out. I mean, we might end up with Brandon Rush instead of Owens next year. Or maybe we'll get a big guy. Or maybe Owens will be back. So there's three possibilities. Now what about L'ville. How many of their players are going pro? What about their recruits? And on and on and on.
So, yeah, I think, based solely on my biased opinion, that, no matter what happens before rosters are finalized, the Hoyas will go undefeated prior to BE play, then sweep through the New Big East, leaving only destruction (and double digit losses) in their wake before making Dookie V. renounce Coach K'ism on their way to their 2nd national championship. And Nodak will win a grammy for his 2nd CD "Just like 1984". Though if we have Rush instead of Owens, we might only beat L'Ville by 6. See what I mean about possible effects of all the different scenarios?
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ahoya3
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Post by ahoya3 on Mar 28, 2005 5:46:40 GMT -5
I kind of agree with RDF. Probably 6-8-middle of in the Big East standings unless we bring in another big who can play right away. We surprised a lot of people this year, but at the end of the year our lack of talent and depth in the front court caused us to get beat. As others have said, we need some more talent in the backcourt to competer with a 'Nova but I still feel our major weakness is up front. Maybe big Roy will become the Pootsnogle of '06-show big improvement. Let's see if we get another big guy in the incoming class. Go HOYAS. Come out to the Hoop Club Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 13 at the Leavey Center Ballroom(7PM)
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YB
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Post by YB on Mar 28, 2005 9:26:31 GMT -5
I'll be at the HHC banquet.
Hey, I do follow recruiting a bit, enough to know we have a great class coming in. But 3 also said before the season he wouldn't start Jeff if he didn't have to. Freshmen don't do particulartly well usually in the PrinceTown O, so I saw those guys in low-pressure situations coming off the bench with maybe Roy and Sead.
I am just saying, experience often counts more than talent in college ball, and for the first time in quite a while we have a lot of experience coming back.
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Post by bowmansbruzers on Mar 28, 2005 11:29:39 GMT -5
I was just wondering about all those seniors that didnt sign to any schools yet. When is their signing period or when would the rest of the players sign because I am getting a little anxious about getting another big and I want to know when the deadline for getting a big will happen?
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DrumsGoBang
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Post by DrumsGoBang on Mar 28, 2005 11:34:53 GMT -5
Here is what it is going to be, and I know I'm right because I'm in the 98th precentile on the Yahoo Tourny Pick Up for this year's dance. Beat that. I had bucknell. Bucknell!!!
UCONN - They always have talent and good coaching, although a few years down the line when only 50% graduate they will only have 5 schollies left. LOU - Good Tourny this year, lots of experience and good coach but need a year to adjust to the big east so down one spot. Lossing their goto guy. CINCY - Program that cheats. Have strong players, return most starters, will eventually get sanctioned again by the NCAA. NOVA - returning most of their starters, but I don't think they are that well coached, and they always have injury, chemistry, or phone scandle problems. GEORGETOWN - Returning almost everyone, adding good frosh guards with shooting range. III will add a lot more plays to the offence and Big Roy will get better and play a larger roll in that offence. Green aves 20-10. WVU - Great Tourny run. Great coach too. Not loosing that many people, but because they are from west virginia, they will sleep with sheep and then get arrested. CUSE - Bad, tourny and no star players left except Gerry, but BoBo always has his teams well coached, and they have a great 2-3 that confuses even great teams at times. They also always start very strong each year and usally have good recuits. PITT - An up and down team this year. I don't think they look like the are going to get any better unless they have a great recruit. I think the time that Pitt is near the top of the Big East is over. DePAUL - I've seen them play a few times on TV. They seem to be well coached, and have fun playing. I don't think they are Big East ready next season but they will upset some teams and get better as the season goes on. RUTGERS - I can't remember if they are getting a new coach, but if they are I think that will help this team. Also what will help is those former CUSA teams coming into the RAC for the first time. If they have a new coach I bet they rally behind him and win a few home games. MARQUETTE - Will be touch adjustment to the Big East. Their is almost no one left from that Final Four run. Good enough to beat the bottom of the conference and maybe one upset. HALL - They never seem to have good chemisty at HALL. Bad year last year with the momentum going downhill, but play physical bball that will help them. ND - Chris T leaving will hurt, they don't have the players to be good next year. The team is giving up and not athletic at all. Only rely on good shooting, and it is not even that good. This team is on a downward slump and I bet brey leaves at the end of the season. Providence - I'm not sure what is up with them. At the bottom this year, and loosing super star Ryan Gomes. That mean they can't be much better. I do seeing them upsetting a few teams, but not Georgetown next year. SJU - Not going to be much better next year. Still hurting from the penalties. First year coach overachived with this group. Florida- ? at the bottom of CUSA and now bottom in Big East Did I forget anyone?
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by YB on Mar 28, 2005 11:38:21 GMT -5
DrumsGoBang and anyone else willing to take me on, I'm willing to make a "SirSaxa" bet of one beer, payable at the BET, if your predictions are more correct than mine. Anyone willing to step up to the plate?
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Post by younghoya32 on Mar 28, 2005 11:48:04 GMT -5
DrumsGoBang and anyone else willing to take me on, I'm willing to make a "SirSaxa" bet of one beer, payable at the BET, if your predictions are more correct than mine. Anyone willing to step up to the plate? How bout a soda?
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DrumsGoBang
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by DrumsGoBang on Mar 28, 2005 12:01:27 GMT -5
YB you are on.
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by YB on Mar 28, 2005 12:06:52 GMT -5
I've got younghoya for a soda and Drums for a beer. Anyone else?
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Post by younghoya32 on Mar 28, 2005 12:16:14 GMT -5
YB, it's definatly to early to tell know so we should set a Midnight Madness deadline on this I think.
Only time will tell if DJ returns, we add another recruit, and the conference schedules.
But here's an early top half
1. Nova 2. L'ville 3. Uconn 4. GU 5. WVU 6. Cincy 7. 'Cuse 8. Pitt
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RBHoya
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Post by RBHoya on Mar 28, 2005 20:05:08 GMT -5
Quick question about Louisville's recruiting: Rivals has them with 1 signed LOI, as well as 7 players committed but not yet signed.... Whats up with that? How can they bring in 8 players in 1 year? I know theres a set amount of scholarships, but I also thought there was a limit on how many scholarships you could give out in a particular year.... Will they really have 8 Freshman? Because thatd mean a very high percentage of their bench would be freshman.... or am I missing something, and these guys wont be coming next year, or something... Heres the link: rivalshoops.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2005&School=38&Sport=2
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GUHoya07
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Post by GUHoya07 on Mar 28, 2005 20:23:07 GMT -5
They got rid of the 5/8 rule this year which limited the amount of players you could bring in at a time, so now you could theoretically bring in 13 freshmen if you wanted to.
As for Louisville, they are probably assuming some wont qualify and or go pro. I haven't looked into it but I know they do have that ridiculous 8 person recruiting class.
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by YB on Mar 28, 2005 23:42:20 GMT -5
I wouldn't take a McD all-american team over a well-caoched college team. Young college teams VERY rarely do well.
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ahoya3
Member
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Post by ahoya3 on Mar 29, 2005 16:35:32 GMT -5
I am just saying, experience often counts more than talent in college ball, and for the first time in quite a while we have a lot of experience coming back.
I agree with YB. Would still like to see some muscle+smarts underneath next year. Maybe Eggerson has the strength to contribute next year.
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