364 replies to this topic

[bsj]

I dont resent JFlynn for going pro...I just don't feel like seeing his name in the thread title as we discuss the future of SU hoop

Should be a very fun, exciting, unpredictable season...lots of talent. Lots of really YOUNG talent.

[LeftyTG]

I dont resent JFlynn for going pro...I just don't feel like seeing his name in the thread title as we discuss the future of SU hoop

Should be a very fun, exciting, unpredictable season...lots of talent. Lots of really YOUNG talent.

I'm somewhat more bullish on Syracuse next season than most, it seems. I think they are solidly a top 25 team and a top 4 team in the BE. I agree that it should be a fun, exciting, and yes, unpredictable season. I also agree there is a lot of talent on the team, but I don't see where they are particularly YOUNG. Untested perhaps, but not particularly young.

Onuaku is a 5th year senior.
Rautins is a 5th year senior.
Jackson is a true junior.
Wes Johnson is a redshirt junior (spent a year in the SU program sitting out his redshirt year)
Scoop Jardine is a redshirt sophomore, played a decent amount as a true freshman, and is in his 3rd year in the program.

Kris Joseph will be a sophomore who played a bit as a freshman.

Then there will be the truly young - Triche who should get some playing time. Mookie Jones who played sparingly as a freshman before having hip surgery. He, also, should see time. Southerland, is unlikely to see time, unless his shot is at a high enough level that he can come in as a designated spot up shooter in certain trategic situations.

I doubt Riley sees much time at all. He needs to add weight, and by most accounts, seems like he'll need to learn what it looks like to play with the needed aggressiveness in the BE. Williams, a junior, doesn't seem like he will ever contribute in a meaningful way.

Given that Boeheim historically doesn't go beyond an 8 man rotation, I expect those 8 players to be Onuaku, Jackson, Johnson, Rautins, Jardine, Triche, Joseph, and Jones. That breaks down as 2 fifth year seniors, a redshirt junior, a true junior, a redshirt sophomore, 2 true sophomores, and a freshman. There is some youth to the team, and it will definitely be a squad that doesn't have a lot of game action experience playing together, but I don't see them as being particularly YOUNG.

[Nuf Ced]

Fabricio De Melo, a 7-foot native of Brazil who attends Sagemont High School in Weston, Fla., will make an unofficial visit to the SU campus this weekend, according to his coach.

Melo, who goes by Fab Melo, transferred from his school in Brazil to Sagemont last summer. However, Florida state high school rules regarding international transfers prevented him from playing at Sagemont this past season.

syracuse.com

[RedOctober3829]

Fabricio De Melo, a 7-foot native of Brazil who attends Sagemont High School in Weston, Fla., will make an unofficial visit to the SU campus this weekend, according to his coach.

Melo, who goes by Fab Melo, transferred from his school in Brazil to Sagemont last summer. However, Florida state high school rules regarding international transfers prevented him from playing at Sagemont this past season.

syracuse.com

He's supposed to be a big-time player. Louisville, UConn, and Florida are among the other schools recruiting him. He is big (270 lbs), athletic, and has an outside shot. I'd love to see him in a Husky uniform.

[bsj]

He's supposed to be a big-time player. Louisville, UConn, and Florida are among the other schools recruiting him. He is big (270 lbs), athletic, and has an outside shot. I'd love to see him in a Husky uniform.

Man...I would love to get this kid in Syracuse. I cannot remember the last time we had a highly touted legit 7 footer in Syracuse.

Plus, he is Melo. How perfect is that?

[RedOctober3829]

Man...I would love to get this kid in Syracuse. I cannot remember the last time we had a highly touted legit 7 footer in Syracuse.

Plus, he is Melo. How perfect is that?

Louisville and UConn seem to be in the lead for him since they have been on him from the beginning. He visited UConn officially during the season. He'd be a perfect center alongside Orikhari.

[bsj]

A far too infrequent positive story these days...

Former Syracuse basketball player Donte Greene jumped into a river and pulled out a woman who couldn't swim during Memorial Day, according to KHTK in Sacramento. The Sacramento Kings forward said he was a lifeguard in high school and just reacted to the situation.

[Rossox]

Sean Williams Leaving

Wow, didn't see that one coming.

[bsj]

Sean Williams Leaving

Wow, didn't see that one coming.

I did.

He was a complete project who was way way behind Onuaku and Jackson on the depth chart. he's going to also be behind that 6'11 recruit they have coming in, and if they get Fab Melo, his long term options look just as bad or worse.

it helps SU as it frees up a scholie, and gives him a chance to play

[bsj]

FYI,

Donte Greene gets it.

He left too early

[Rossox]

I did.

He was a complete project who was way way behind Onuaku and Jackson on the depth chart. he's going to also be behind that 6'11 recruit they have coming in, and if they get Fab Melo, his long term options look just as bad or worse.

it helps SU as it frees up a scholie, and gives him a chance to play

You must have missed my sarcasm.

[Rossox]

FYI,

Donte Greene gets it.

He left too early

Sounds like Greene is adapting to his new NBA lifestyle just fine - he had a son in January.

[bsj]

You must have missed my sarcasm.

I suspected, but didnt want to be a dick in case you were being serious... ha ha

[Otto]

FYI,

Donte Greene gets it.

He left too early

I'd say he sort of gets it:

He looks at guys like Blake Griffin and can't help but wonder. Griffin is a good friend, who left Oklahoma after two seasons. He's a similar size and stature to Greene and is expected to be the first player chosen in this year's draft.

Similar in size and stature? Sure, except for two inches, 25 pounds, and completely different body types. The fact that he's even talking about himself and Blake Griffin in the same sentence shows he's still the same dilusional kid who thought he was ready to be a star in the NBA.

[bosox4283]

Any thoughts about Devendorf and Harris not being drafted?

[bsj]

Any thoughts about Devendorf and Harris not being drafted?

Let them enjoy the $125K a year they knew they were going to get when they left early. I dont begrudge them, but none of this is even remotely surprising

[Dan Murfman]

Big East opponents announced:


Home Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John’s, USF, Villanova


Away Cincinnati, DePaul, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, West Virginia

[bsj]

Big East opponents announced:


Home Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. John’s, USF, Villanova


Away Cincinnati, DePaul, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, West Virginia

I'm sorry, but UConn needs to be the home and home, not Providence. Nothing against the Friars, but Syracuse and UConn has developed into a pretty damn good rivalry.

[Youk of the Nation]

From Rivals

Report: Syracuse among basketball recruit Fab Melo's top four schools
Thursday July 30, 2009, 3:08 PM

Orange recruiting target Fabricio De Melo (aka "Fab Melo") has reportedly narrowed down his list to four schools - Louisville, Syracuse, Florida and Miami. Fab Melo, a 7-foot, 267-pound center from Brazil, took an unofficial visit to the SU campus in May.

Melo, a top-five prospect in the Class of 2010, transferred from his school in Brazil to Sagemont High School in Florida, and had to sit out last season due to state rules regarding international transfers.

Fab Melo told Gatorsports.com's Kevin Brockway he wants to make a decision next week, before he goes home to visit family in Brazil. Brockway adds a source close to Melo believes his decision will come down to Syracuse and Louisville, and "the consensus among AAU coaches and recruiting analysts is that Melo is heavily leaning toward Syracuse."

[bsj]

UConn is OUT? Wow.

And we may MAY may be at the top? WOW.

Nice piece of distraction on a shit day.

[LeftyTG]

From Rivals

great, between the trade deadline and waiting for Melo's decision, I will be compulsively checking websites in the next few days. Melo would be a great get for SU.

[Youk of the Nation]

Fab Melo and Dion Waiters for at least 2 years gives us an excellent chance at a final 4. His addition could make for an absurdly stacked frontcourt in 2010 and beyond.

Fab Melo has a chance to stay possibly as long as Thabeet did for UConn. Our other big name was Brandon Knight, and I can't see him staying more than 1 year.

We need something around here to talk about, and a commitment like this would do just that!

[Youk of the Nation]

I saw this on another board and was interested what you guys thought ...

If You Could Have Attended Any SU Game that you didn't/couldn't, what would it be? 6OT game aside, because I think that's unanimously the default.

A few I'll throw out:

2006 BET vs. GTown or UConn (Cincy lower on the list because we were favored and it came down to the wire)
2003 Title game
Gerry going off in 2004 vs. BYU
1996 vs. Georgia
2003 vs. Notre Dame
1987 vs. UNC in the NCAA's - I know nothing about this game other than we won, but am a hoops history nut who would've liked to see Boeheim vs. Dean Smith.

One of the games that comes to my mind is the 2004 home game against Notre Dame, which was also very good, I remember Game Day was there and we set the all time attendance record and had a huge comeback win after we were down late and JB decided to do a full court trap and Hak made a steal along the baseline and made a huge dunk to tie the game. That blew the roof off the dome and the massive crowd, which was silent all game long because of ND's threes erupted unexpectedly like I have never heard before and that shocked the Notre Dame players to the core and they couldn't hit another shot after that.
The best football game I went to was PP's last home game in 2004 when we stopped Pitt by 1 inch in double OT and stormed the field because we thought we would definitely get into a bowl with Temple up next. They lost to Temple but Diamond Ferri made up for it against BC.

God bless the offseason.

[Dan Murfman]

Mine would be '90 Big Tournament Final. Upstart UConn a day after beating Georgetown in the semis beats the Cuse 78-65 for their first BET championship.

[bsj]

2003 title is an easy way to go. But beyond that, mine would probably be either the Sweet 16 (Georgia) or Elite 8 (kansas) round games in 1996. Both were incredible games. I think the Georgia game was slightly more dramatic of an ending (I think this game is the one where Wallace made a 3/4 court length pass to Cipolla to win it), but Kansas was more impactful as it got us to an improbable Final Four.

Edited by bsj, 01 August 2009 - 06:24 AM.

[mwpeters8182]

2003 title is an easy way to go. But beyond that, mine would probably be either the Sweet 16 (Georgia) or Elite 8 (kansas) round games in 1996. Both were incredible games. I think the Georgia game was slightly more dramatic of an ending (I think this game is the one where Wallace made a 3/4 court length pass to Cipolla to win it), but Kansas was more impactful as it got us to an improbable Final Four.

This is my first time poking around some of the other forums on the site, and I couldn't be more excited to find a SU Hoops thread.

The 2003 title game was incredible, and probably one of my best memories from my time at Syracuse (other than the car ride down to New Orleans). I was up in the rafters, so I had a great angle to watch Warrick's come in and make his block. As for other games, it seemed for a while anytime we played Pitt (I remember one where Pitt just barely missed taking the game on a prayer at the buzzer) it was bound to be a good one. We'd usually show up a few hours early to get as close to the court as possible for those.

[RedOctober3829]

This is my first time poking around some of the other forums on the site, and I couldn't be more excited to find a SU Hoops thread.

The 2003 title game was incredible, and probably one of my best memories from my time at Syracuse (other than the car ride down to New Orleans). I was up in the rafters, so I had a great angle to watch Warrick's come in and make his block. As for other games, it seemed for a while anytime we played Pitt (I remember one where Pitt just barely missed taking the game on a prayer at the buzzer) it was bound to be a good one. We'd usually show up a few hours early to get as close to the court as possible for those.

My favorite game was when I saw UConn clinch the '99 Big East regular-season title at the Dome Either that or the UVM game.

Seriously, my favorite games were the 2006 BET when they won 4 games in 4 days to win it. Beat Cincinnati, UConn, Georgetown, and Pitt in consecutive days when they were on the wrong side of the bubble to get to the NCAA's.

[Rossox]

My parents had season tickets for most of the '80's so I was lucky enough to see some classic games in the Dome, including Pearl's half-courter against BC and every single G-Town game. The G-Town games were games you looked forward to all year.

Otherwise, I don't see how you can pick any game other than the '03 National Championship game here. But I agree w/ bsj on the '96 "Cuse is in the House...The Cuse is in the House" Sweet 16 game against Georgia. That will always be one of my all-time faves.

Gut-punch aside, the '87 Keith Smart game would be close, too. We had those bastards!

[Youk of the Nation]

From McsSportsFix (ESPN 1410) twitter ...

From a source of mine - yes a source of mine! - Recruit Fabricio De Melo to committ to Syracuse Orange tomorrow @ 10 a.m. press conference.

Comment on Fab Melo - 'Insider' says SU officials on plane to be @ press conference tomorrow. But 'things in this biz can - you never know.'

http://twitter.com/McsSportsfix

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 04 August 2009 - 01:06 AM.

[Youk of the Nation]

i'd also put down vs. Pittsburgh in 2003--Cuse beats then #2 Pitt in the dome. In front of 30k McNeil hits 2 free throws (like his only 2 of the year) and then tips in missed GMac layup to win the game. Fans storm court. Boeheim gets on intercom and tells everyone to sit down. Officials rule 0.8 seconds left on the clock. Brandon Knight hits 40 footer at the buzzer to win game. Then officials look at replay, wave off basket, 'cuse wins and fans storm the court again.

Also honorable mention that hasn't been previously mentioned:

vs. Oklahoma State in 2003--Came back from down 17 to roll OSU for birth in Sweet 16.

vs. Georgetown in 1997--In Donovan McNabb's sophomore season he comes off the bench for 10 huge points and numerous offensive boards to help 'cuse beat Georgetown. Cementing his already legendary status. Maybe more sentimental than anything.

[Youk of the Nation]

2003 title is an easy way to go. But beyond that, mine would probably be either the Sweet 16 (Georgia) or Elite 8 (kansas) round games in 1996. Both were incredible games. I think the Georgia game was slightly more dramatic of an ending (I think this game is the one where Wallace made a 3/4 court length pass to Cipolla to win it), but Kansas was more impactful as it got us to an improbable Final Four.

not only did wallace make that pass to cipolla (he was actually about at half court... but threw it to the other side of the court to cipolla, pass and shot were incredible) but then wallace (who played like 20 min with 4 fouls) made a running 3 with 2 secs left in OT to give us the lead and the win.

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 04 August 2009 - 12:34 AM.

[mwpeters8182]

i'd also put down vs. Pittsburgh in 2003--Cuse beats then #2 Pitt in the dome. In front of 30k McNeil hits 2 free throws (like his only 2 of the year) and then tips in missed GMac layup to win the game. Fans storm court. Boeheim gets on intercom and tells everyone to sit down. Officials rule 0.8 seconds left on the clock. Brandon Knight hits 40 footer at the buzzer to win game. Then officials look at replay, wave off basket, 'cuse wins and fans storm the court again.

That's the Pitt game I was thinking of, especially. Couldn't remember what year it was. There was an absolute sea of people standing around the court, waiting for the ruling on that shot. The place was going nuts. Complete roller-coaster at the end of that game.

[bsj]

WE GOT HIM! THE RETURN OF MELO IS UPON US!!!!

Get ready for another Melo at Syracuse. Fabricio De Melo, a 7-foot native of Brazil, has decided to attend Syracuse University, according to his high school coach.

Dave Telep, the national scouting director at Scout.com, ranks Melo as the No. 5 player in the Class of 2010.

The addition of Melo bolsters what was already looking like a stellar 2010 recruiting class for Syracuse. In addition to Melo, the Syracuse coaches already have commitments from Dion Waiters, a 6-3 guard from Philadelphia who attends Life Center Academy in Burlington, N.J., C.J. Fair, a 6-8 forward from Baltimore who will attend Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., this fall; and Baye Moussa Keita, a 6-9 forward at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Ross said the trip to Syracuse erased some of Melo's preconceived notions of the city and the school.

"He was very surprised by the campus and the town,'' Ross said. "When we came out of the Carrier Dome, he said to me "I want to play in this place.''

Edited by bsj, 04 August 2009 - 03:40 PM.

[Rossox]

Fantastic news! Do we have a link yet?

Edit: Syracuse.com Confirms

Edited by Rossox, 04 August 2009 - 03:46 PM.

[bsj]

Fantastic news! Do we have a link yet?

Edit: Syracuse.com Confirms

Eeks. Sorry...that quoted text was from the link, yet I forgot it in my glee

[Youk of the Nation]

Break open the champagne! Big blow to 'ville! Louisville is also getting 6-10" of rain today. Much of it measured in tears over the loss of Fab Melo. Feels pretty sunny to me though!

Hope JB is taking Hop for a nice steak dinner sometime soon. No other way to put it basically. We've lacked in big guys for the longest time, and even when we did have a decent big guy, he's never been bigger than 6'9 (over the past 20 years anyways). Excellent job by our coaching staff and Hopkins especially. Once Fab was on the radar for tons of high-end programs, to end up getting him says a lot. This recruiting class is absurdly stacked. Say it with me...."SEND IT IN FABRICIO!"

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 04 August 2009 - 04:22 PM.

[RedOctober3829]

Well, I guess he didn't want to develop into an NBA center ala Thabeet and Okafor.

[Otto]

Well, I guess he didn't want to develop into an NBA center ala Thabeet and Okafor.

Nah, its just that Josh Nochimson was busy with other stuff lately.

[Youk of the Nation]

I've read that Tobias Harris is big on going to a school with other great recruits. So this could only help.

Coach Murph's Twitter

Mike (Hopkins) has pulled a Mike (Jordan) like performance! Your one of the BEST Hizzy! Keep up the Great work!!!!! Go Cuse!

http://twitter.com/robmurphycuse

[Youk of the Nation]

And...looking at rivals... when was Kieta upgraded to a 4 star?

So we have 3 4-stars and 1 5-star for the 2010 recruiting season?

http://rivalshoops.r...a...=78&Sport=2

I cant tell you how happy I am that we have secured a commitment from Fab Melo, but we still have room for one more in the '10 class and JB has said that we will be taking 5 in that class.

There are 5 recruits that are mentioning us at this time:

Tobias Harris-SF/PF- This is the guy I want most, he would be a perfect 4 in our system and can play on the inside or outside, and actually likes to rebound which is always a plus. Also he is likely a top 10 prospect when the next rankings come out

Joe Jackson-PG- Is battling Cory Joseph for the number two PG spot and is a dynamic scorer who excels in getting into the lane. From some of the film I have seen on him he reminds me of Flynn. Though we are in his top 7 some feel that he will probably be going to Memphis or Kentucky, but everyone except for Cuse fans thought Melo was going to Louisville, so you never know.

Cory Joseph-PG- Also a 5 star PG, Joseph isnt as fast as Jackson but is equally as impressive and is a bigger PG. Jospeh is from Canada so geography might work in our favor, though he plays HS ball in Las Vegas so distance obviously isnt a factor. He has a long list but we are in there along with 15 other schools.

Trey Ziegler-SG- Will probably be ranked as a 5 star player after his great play in July. He is a big time scorer and would make a great scoring backcourt with Waiters. Though we have been putting in the effort many still feel that he will play in the Big Ten, he is from Michigan.

Carson Desroisers-PF/C- Has put us in his top 5 but he might still be a backup if we dont get Harris. It seems as though Desrosiers has favored us for awhile but with the recent commit of Melo him coming to Cuse is probably a long shot.

I would be happy with any of these guys commiting but having a PG to round out the class would be a nice cap but you cant pass up on a top 10 talent like Harris

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 04 August 2009 - 08:21 PM.

[RedOctober3829]

Nah, its just that Josh Nochimson was busy with other stuff lately.

Like that joke isn't already been played out enough. Calhoun's track record with developing centers speaks for itself. This guy sounds like a walking eligibility issue waiting to happen anyways.

[Youk of the Nation]

Like that joke isn't already been played out enough. Calhoun's track record with developing centers speaks for itself. This guy sounds like a walking eligibility issue waiting to happen anyways.

Sounds like a case of being bitter to me. Sounds like you are more 'hoping' there is an eligibiity issure more than anything so you won't have to face him. Melo is a good student,as his coach said, "At the same time, Fab is a very good student and Syracuse is an outstanding academic institution." So academic ineligibility will not be a problem. Don't worry you'll get to know him very soon. He is a once in a decade offensive prospect. A 7 ft, 280 lb. big man with soft hands, good feet, and the ability to shoot with range as well as taking a defender off the bounce. A lot of people could of turned a 7'3 something freak like Thabeet into something, he had no post moves whatsoever. He could block shots and that gets him drafted 2nd overall.

For the record, I also think Fab Melo will be the #1 overall recruit by the end of this year. Greg Oden type status, just a prediction.

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 05 August 2009 - 03:58 PM.

[bosoxtw9]

Anything that knocks Pitino down a few notches is fine with me. Melo, Waiters, Johnson and Jackson is a nice core for 2010.

[RedOctober3829]

Sounds like a case of being bitter to me. Sounds like you are more 'hoping' there is an eligibiity issure more than anything so you won't have to face him. Melo is a good student,as his coach said, "At the same time, Fab is a very good student and Syracuse is an outstanding academic institution." So academic ineligibility will not be a problem. Don't worry you'll get to know him very soon. He is a once in a decade offensive prospect. A 7 ft, 280 lb. big man with soft hands, good feet, and the ability to shoot with range as well as taking a defender off the bounce. A lot of people could of turned a 7'3 something freak like Thabeet into something, he had no post moves whatsoever. He could block shots and that gets him drafted 2nd overall.

For the record, I also think Fab Melo will be the #1 overall recruit by the end of this year. Greg Oden type status, just a prediction.

I worry about every international prospect being eligible not just Fab Melo. He is a true talent no doubt about it I just thought with Calhoun's proven track record of churning out quality NBA centers that it was in his best interest to go to UConn. We'll see how good he actually is in the Big East I'm not always sold on these otherworldly international players. Did you expect his coach to say anything different about his academics?

I'm not worried about Syracuse as much as I worry about West Virginia and Villanova. 'Cuse is a year away from being a truly great team.

[Otto]

Like that joke isn't already been played out enough. Calhoun's track record with developing centers speaks for itself. This guy sounds like a walking eligibility issue waiting to happen anyways.

Roughly translated:

1) I wish he went to UConn;
2) Since he didn't, I think he'll have eligiblity issues; and
3) Other than the fact that he's an immigrant to this country, I have no facts specific to this person to actually discuss these eligibility issues that I now forsee following his commitment to Syracuse.

Thanks.

[Youk of the Nation]

I worry about every international prospect being eligible not just Fab Melo. He is a true talent no doubt about it I just thought with Calhoun's proven track record of churning out quality NBA centers that it was in his best interest to go to UConn. We'll see how good he actually is in the Big East I'm not always sold on these otherworldly international players. Did you expect his coach to say anything different about his academics?

I'm not worried about Syracuse as much as I worry about West Virginia and Villanova. 'Cuse is a year away from being a truly great team.

I mean if he's really serious about his academics, I do think Syracuse is a more superior academic institution than a Louisville or a UConn.

I don't think Syracuse will be among the upper echelon of the Big East this season, but in 2010 I think this team has a chance to do great things, with, as of right now, the #1 recruiting class in the country, as well as Wes Johnson and Rick Jackson who will both be Seniors.

My Initial Big East Projections:

1.Villanova
2.West Virginia
3.Cincinatti
4. Connecticut
5. Seton Hall
6. Syracuse
7. St. Johns
8. Notre Dame
9. Georgetown
10. Louisville
11. Marquette
12. Pitt
13. South Florida
14. Providence
15. Rutgers
16. DePaul

Pitt is debatable because they always find someway to reload and PC has lost a ton. Yes, Gody led the conference in scoring, but the team's second option and floor-spreader, Kyle McAlarney, is no longer there, and no one on their roster really intrigues me. Only Villanova's Scottie Reynolds returns to a team that will return enough talent to make a national contender. West Virginia should return enough talent to finish as well as, if not better than, last season.

IMO, 3-11 is up for grabs. But the BE is WAY DOWN this year and I think the bottom of the big east will really compete this year. For example, lets look at SHU - The Pirates have one of the best scoring trios returning in the country. Jeremy Hazell (22.7 ppg), Robert Mitchell (14.7 ppg), and Eugene Harvey (12.5 ppg) will team up with two of the biggest impact transfers in the country. Both Keon Lawrence (from Missouri) and Herb Pope (from New Mexico State) averaged 11 points per game for their former schools. They get Memphis transfer Jeff Robinson midseason and another freshman pg Ferrakohn Hall comes in. This team is going to be very good.

As for Cincy, they return perhaps the league's second best rising junior, Deonta Vaughn, and one of the most under-appreciated freshman, Yancy Gates. The majority of Cronin's '08-09 rotation also consisted of underclassman. Plus, highly touted freshman Cashmere Wright will be added to the rotation after missing the 2009 season with a knee injury. Cincy all depends on how well Stevenson fits in. But I'm more than confident that at least one of Cincy, St. John's, or Seton Hall will finish ahead of Syracuse, if not two of them (likely being the Hall and Cincy) On paper, only Villanova and West Virginia are clearly better than the Bearcats. A third-place finish for Cincinnati may be unlikely, but should be a realistic goal for a Bearcats team ready to compete and beat the beasts of the east.

[RedOctober3829]

Roughly translated:

1) I wish he went to UConn;
2) Since he didn't, I think he'll have eligiblity issues; and
3) Other than the fact that he's an immigrant to this country, I have no facts specific to this person to actually discuss these eligibility issues that I now forsee following his commitment to Syracuse.

Thanks.

1) Yes, I always want the most talented players to go to UConn. What fan wouldn't?
2) I thought he might have eligibility issues when UConn was in the discussion.
3) No facts to support it. Just going on previous experiences with players coming overseas to play in the NCAA in various sports. If Melo played on anything resembling a professional club team in Brazil or if enough credits didn't transfer over the NCAA will have issues with him. Getting international kids in every sport are a challenge.

[bosoxtw9]

I'll take a crack at the standings:

1. Villanova
2. West Virginia
3. Connecticut
4. Georgetown
5. Cincinnati
6. Seton Hall
7. Notre Dame
8. Louisville
9. Syracuse
10. Marquette
11. Pittsburgh
12. St. John's
13. Providence
14. Rutgers
15. South Florida
16. DePaul

Nova clearly has the most talent in the league- Reynolds, Stokes, Fisher returning and 3 top-30 recruits in the fold. West Virginia could drop if the suspensions are upheld w/r/t Mazzulla and Bryant, but I expect that to be resolved. Ebanks could really explode and Butler could contend for the scoring title. I like UConn more than most people, I feel they're a top 15 team. Mostly because I'm a HUGE Kemba Walker fan. A consistent Stanley Robinson would help. Georgetown has Monroe, Wright and Freeman back to form a nice trio. Cincy getting Stephenson was a huge coup, they're certainly a team to keep an eye on. I like the Hall along with Youk of the Nation- great scoring potential there and transfer impact, but will they defend? Louisville will take a step back losing Williams and Clark, along with Cuse, Marquette (depleted but brought in a good class to go with Hayward who I love) and especially Pitt whose best player might be the frosh Dante Taylor. Notre Dame looks like a classic bubble team to me.

Overall the league is definitely down from last year's historic campaign. Still should be another entertaining year in the Big East with new contenders emerging and perennial favorites reloading.

[Youk of the Nation]

Nice writeup. Just wanted to touch base on a couple of the more interesting teams in the Big East because I currently go to 'Cuse and College Basketball is life there so I have to keep up with the times. But, here it goes...

I think Uconn adding Alex Oriakhi (C, #20 overall), Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (SF, #59), and Darius Smith (SG, #83) is probably in the best shape of any Big East team to absorb their losses in production, though SU isn't far behind.

Georgetown is a very interesting team. Monroe comes back, which helps offset the loss of DaJuan Summers. Only added one top-100 player this year in Hollis Thompson (SF, #44). Returning three of their top four scorers (and 73% of their total scoring) should certainly help. Not too deep a bench, but can the starters give the Hoyas a ride to the dance?

Lousiville will be hurt big time on defense with only Samardo Samuels coming back of the big three, and losing Williams and Clark will really hurt, especially on defense. Peyton Siva (pg, #38) and Rakeem Buckles (pf, #67) will also help absorb the losses. 25-5 and Elite 8 probably isn’t in the cards again (no pun intended).

Marquette, as a team has really grown on me. I love there style of play. Jerel McNeal, Lazar Haward, and Wesley Mathews graduated, while Dominic James got a raw deal with his injury at the end of the year - but it still makes for the team losing 83% of their scoring from last year. Have some talent coming back in, Cadougan (pg, #53), Jeronne Maymon (pf, #84), and Erik Williams (sf, #90), but Marquette looks to be rebuilding more than contending this year.

I see Notre Dame in the NIT. Harangody returns for his farewell tour, but there isn’t anything else to write home about. Losing McAlarney, Zeller, and Ayers will hurt, especially with not a lot of help on the way. A return to the NIT seems likely.

Pitt never seems to have a down year. Jamie Dixon is one of the most underrated and best coaches in the country. DeJuan Blair is gone, along with Sam Young, Levance Fields, and Tyrell Biggs, and SU fans can breathe a sigh of relief. They did add Dante Taylor (pf, #16) and Talib Zanna (C, #63), but the loss of those four aforementioned players constitutes 67% of their scoring (including 4 of the top 5) and allllll those rebounds that Blair snagged. Can’t see a run as deep as last season, but they certainly have the right coach to rebuild.

Nova is the undisputed favorites of the Big East this year, Katz has them at #4 preseason. Losing Cunningham, Shane Clark, and Dwayne Anderson is tough, but the addition of Yarou (pf, #9), Dominic Cheek (sf, #22), Maalik Wayns (pg, #26), and Isaiah Armwood (pf, #81) to Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, and Corey Stokes will put nearly every opponent on the ropes. Pena is their only player returning who averaged more than 5 rebounds/game, and Yarou and Armwood aren't exactly monsters on the floor (6'9"-235 and 6'7"-185), so Jay Wright will have to plug the rebounding leak once again.

West Virginia comes in at a distant second and are at this point, Nova's strongest competition. With Devin Ebanks returning, the loss of #2 scorer Alex Rouff isn't as damaging. Da'Sean Butler, who averaged 17 and 6 last year, will come in as a senior leader with Dalton Pepper (sg, #98) waiting in the wings. Joe Mazzulla was suspended indefinitely in April for violating team rules, but with Huggins, you never really know what’s going on behind the curtains. Mountaineers will look to avoid another first-round upset. Would think that a sweet 16/elite 8 appearance isn't too lofty an expectation

Edited by Youk of the Nation, 05 August 2009 - 09:47 PM.

[bosoxtw9]

Youk- quickly becoming my favorite poster. Nice to hear from a fellow college hoops diehard like myself. Good luck this season with the Orange. You guys so need to bring these uniforms back:



Agree on UConn being able to absorb their losses the easiest. From what I can gather, Oriakhi could develop into a poor man's Thabeet with his shot blocking and rebounding ability. They seem like a team that could really explode in the second half of the season with the maturation of Walker, Dyson getting back into shape and Majok joining the fray. I read today in that ESPN Summer preview that UConn will employ more halfcourt pressure this season with Walker, Dyson and Darius Smith like they did back in the early part of the decade. Definitely a team to watch.

Marquette seems like a team that could turn some heads. As you pointed out, I believe they have 4 top-100 recruits joining the team. Hayward has 1st team all-conference potential and Jimmy Butler is an underrated cog. We'll see how the freshmen develop.

ND will be in the NCAA picture, though. Harangody will win BE POY and I love Tory Jackson- tremendous floor leader, rebounder and court vision for a PG. Add in the transfers Scott Martin from Purdue and Ben Hansbrough from Miss. St and that's a decent team. Mike Brey has earned my respect over the years and you know Harangody will do whatever it takes to avoid missing the tournament again.

Agree with you on Jamie Dixon. Tremendous coach. They're just DEPLETED, though. Might be a really rough year for the Panthers.

Bob Huggins is all about winning at any cost. He sees a Big East title in play and won't let suspensions get in the way. Fairly confident Mazzulla and Bryant will be back in the fold for their November tournament (can't remember which one exactly).

Louisville is all about Edgar Sosa. Can he run the point with any consistency? Has his shooting improved at all? Has he matured on and off the court? If he plays like he did as a frosh, Louisville could surprise. Terrence Jennings is an elite defender, Jerry Smith can really shoot, Siva will contribute and Samuels should be their go-to guy.

Villanova is definitely a preseason top-5 team behind Kansas, Kentucky, Texas and Michigan State, IMO. Maybe Purdue.