2023-2024 Big East Projections

[Jet915]

ESPN did an all access with St. Johns on Sportscenter today. One of the segments covers Big East. Great exposure.

https://youtu.be/VxedhN8OelI?si=XeoveBRCrOKxXYWX

[Dew]

I haven't watched ESPN in years, so thanks for posting that.

By my count, no mention at all of Butler, Depaul, Seton Hall, or Xavier.

[GumbyDamnit!]

UConn is getting way overrated, which is natural coming off their NC.

Newton is the only veteran projected to be in their top 6, and he seemed shaky at times last year.

Johnson is the only other upperclassmen who is expected to see a lot of time and he has seen a total of 115 minutes in his first 2 years. He was slated to start last year but injuries killed his season. Nonetheless he has very little college experience.

The rest of the talent is elite but very young. Big things are expected of Castle and Ball, but just look at Hawkins as. Freshman. It takes time. Clingen looked great last year but how he will do playing 25-30 minutes is a complete unknown. Karaban is solid but he’s a complementary player and will not carry a team.

Marquette has 4 starters back from the conference champions. They have to be considered the team to beat. Creighton has the top 3 scorers a the top 2 rebounders back fro a team that lost a 1-point game in the Elite 8 to the national runner up. Nembhard will be tough to replace, but bringing in an experienced transfer like Ashworth should be just what the doctor ordered.

After that, it’ anyone’s guess. Pitino has brought in a truck load of experienced talent and if anyone has the ability to figure out how to make the pieces fit together, it’s him. Villanova is loaded with talent as well - combination of veteran home grown players and newcomers.

Xavier’s facing a rebuilding project. Hopkins and Carter are great but the roster is too thin behind them at Providence. Cooley’s got a long way to go at Georgetown. That program has been too much of a mess to turn it around overnight. Here are my incredibly shaky picks:

1. Marquette
2. Creighton
3. St. John’s
4. Villanova
5. UConn
6. Seton Hall
7. Xavier
8. Butler
9. Providence
10. DePaul
11. Georgetown

I agree. You don't lose Sonogo, Jackson and Hawkins (not to mention some of their other depth pieces) and actually move up in the standings. The reality is that UConn finished tied with PC in that 4/5 spot, 4 games behind Marq. Give them credit that they peaked at the right time and got a fortunate tourney draw. That's what March Madness is about. But let's not just gloss over that they lost their heart and soul in those 3 guys. We saw at Nova last year with Cam Whitmore that OAD talent has ups and downs, so Castle might be great some days and a Frosh on others. Also want to see Klingan run up and down the floor for 30 minutes and stay out of foul trouble. He could do neither last year. TBH I think they have a MUCH better shot at finishing 5th or 6th in conference than 1 or 2. I think it's Marq. 1a, Jays 1b. 3-4 teams in the next group which probably finish right around each other. UConn will be one of those teams.

This year is going to be a grind.

[Omaha1]

ESPN did an all access with St. Johns on Sportscenter today. One of the segments covers Big East. Great exposure.

https://youtu.be/VxedhN8OelI?si=XeoveBRCrOKxXYWX

Glad they didn’t have college gameday at their exhibition loss to Pace.

[ecasadoSBU]

I know they had some guys out...


But how do you lose to Pace? Are you serious? That's Division II!

That makes me really worried

[Jet915]

I know they had some guys out...


But how do you lose to Pace? Are you serious? That's Division II!

That makes me really worried

Yeah no Soriano or Dingle but still a little eye opening....

[Omaha1]

Have we decided if these scrimmages mean anything or not? Friars lost to East Carolina tonight, so I guess they’d better hope not.

[sju88grad]

In 2009, Syracuse lost to Division 2 LeMoyne College in an exhibition game at the Carrier Dome. They went on to finish the regular season with a 30-5 record. Just one example but I don’t put much importance on exhibition games/scrimmages

[hoops22]

In 2009, Syracuse lost to Division 2 LeMoyne College in an exhibition game at the Carrier Dome. They went on to finish the regular season with a 30-5 record. Just one example but I don’t put much importance on exhibition games/scrimmages

I hope you're right. But I also remember the Johnnies getting spanked by 32 against Division 2 St. Thomas Aquinas, back when we were all drinking the Mullin Kool Aid his first year. We all know what happened after that. I won't deny that Pace embarrassment has me a little uneasy.

[Jet915]

Yeah, Marquette also lost to Michigan but Villanova supposedly beat Duke so who knows.....