Returning Talent

[adoraz]

Ponds isn't coming back. No chance. I expect at least one of Simon, LJ, or Heron to leave, too.

Only way we improve is if changes are made to the staff.

[GumbyDamnit!]

SHU a 10 and would have to face UK again if they win? Disrespect IMO.

[Hall2012]

Kentucky again!? F that.

[kayako]

Nova - If JQ is good enough to start, I think we'll be one of the favorites to win the national title. If Gillespie is running the offense for 35 minutes, I don't think we win the Big East.

Marquette - If Howard improves as a playmaker and Elliott & McEwen shores up their guard depth, this is a final four contender. I think Marquette has the highest floor of any team in the Big East.

Seton Hall - Top 25ish or just outside type of team with improved Nelson and McKnight. Not sure what to make of their center rotation.

Xavier - No real experienced depth and Hankins is gone. extremely bubbly

Georgetown - I don't think they'll miss Govan too much. Safely in the bracket for most of the season.

Creighton - I think they come out guns blazing and stay in the top 25 for most of the season.

SJU - The key is retaining everyone else even if Ponds goes pro. NIT

PC - They need to find or develop a PG. bubble but probably on the wrong side

Butler - More of the same. NIT

DePaul - I think the year after next season is their make-or-break year, similar to SJU this year. They'll be young and it's hard to replace Strus. NIT if their freshmen are studs like this year's Georgetown class.

[scoscox]

Nova - If JQ is good enough to start, I think we'll be one of the favorites to win the national title. If Gillespie is running the offense for 35 minutes, I don't think we win the Big East.

Marquette - If Howard improves as a playmaker and Elliott & McEwen shores up their guard depth, this is a final four contender. I think Marquette has the highest floor of any team in the Big East.

Seton Hall - Top 25ish or just outside type of team with improved Nelson and McKnight. Not sure what to make of their center rotation.

Xavier - No real experienced depth and Hankins is gone. extremely bubbly

Georgetown - I don't think they'll miss Govan too much. Safely in the bracket for most of the season.

Creighton - I think they come out guns blazing and stay in the top 25 for most of the season.

SJU - The key is retaining everyone else even if Ponds goes pro. NIT

PC - They need to find or develop a PG. bubble but probably on the wrong side

Butler - More of the same. NIT

DePaul - I think the year after next season is their make-or-break year, similar to SJU this year. They'll be young and it's hard to replace Strus. NIT if their freshmen are studs like this year's Georgetown class.

Quite a range for Nova there. Personally, I don't see the potential for a national title contender. Unless the freshmen are truly one and done level guys, I think you're too young. I think you might be looking at another year similar to this one. In 2 years though, that team could be a contender.

Marquette is gonna be an absolute monster and I could see them competing for a top 2 seed and a deep run.

Similarly, I think Seton Hall is gonna be very good. High seed potential 4-6 range. It took them awhile to settle in to their new roles and they bring back pretty much everyone. The Myles duo + Mamu is a good big three

I really don't expect Xavier to be bubbly next year. We were bubbly this year and we basically threw away half the year to introduce a new coach, players, and system. I'd expect us to cut down that learning curve pretty significantly. I think we'll be a safe tourney team. We lose Hankins, Welage, and Castlin, which is a loss, but return our 4 leading scorers and we'll have a lot more talent coming off the bench. Should be a dangerous team. 5-7 seed.

Georgetown similarly is going to be really dangerous. Govan should be able to be replaced well by yurtseven, the freshmen, and an improved leblanc. 6-10 seed range team.

Creighton - agree with you. Lose no one and should be really good. In the same group as Xavier and Georgetown. Dangerous team especially if they play defense the way they did down the stretch.

St. John's - I don't see good things for them. If Ponds leaves they'll be in big trouble. Got exposed big time down the stretch. I think the best to hope for is an NIT type team, but they might take some lumps.

Providence started to figure it out down the stretch and returns everyone. They'll be very tough and in that group of teams like Georgetown and Creighton. Lots and lots of talent on this team. Anywhere from a 5-11 seed, but tons of potential.

Butler could really get beat up in the big east next year.

Unfortunately, I don't think Depaul leaves the basement next year. They leaned massively on Cain, Strus, and Olujobi and lose all three and the freshmen might not be able to vault them out right away. Scoring will be at a premium.

Marquette - 2 seed
Villanova - 4 seed
Xavier - 6 seed
Seton Hall - 6 seed
Creighton - 7 seed
Georgetown - 8 seed
Providence - 9 seed
St. John's - NIT
Butler
DePaul

I expect the conference to romp in the non-conference and be the toughest it's been since realignment. Really looking forward to it.

[Jet915]

So what is Ponds gonna do, play overseas? Dont see him making NBA...

[adoraz]

So what is Ponds gonna do, play overseas? Dont see him making NBA...

If it comes to that, yes. Insiders on Redmen are saying he's definitely gone.

[itsmejpt]

Seton Hall - Top 25ish or just outside type of team with improved Nelson and McKnight. Not sure what to make of their center rotation.

Ike Obiagu from FSU will be available next year. I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't see a good chunk of the C minutes.

[hoyahooligan]

Far too early in my opinion to have this discussion.

I think a lot of people may end up leaving that people aren't expecting.

There are a lot of Juniors who likely have nothing else to prove at this level and staying another year will not help them get any closer to the NBA so have a good chance of leaving.

Let's revisit this tread in July at the earliest once the dust settles.

[jbarajas0490]

I think markus howard will definitely declare for the draft. There's no point in staying any longer. If he stays another year his draft stock will suffer. He's showing up in the middle of the second round in mock drafts. Unfortunately woj doesn't seem to have a backup might have to hit the transfer market. As always.