2008/2009 Big East Thread

[superjames1992]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

WVU picked up another verbal for the 2009 season over the weekend. Deniz Kilicli, a 6-10 245 lb PF/C from Turkey, gave his commitment to Coach Huggins after his visit there this past weekend. He will finish his prep career at at Mountain State Academy in Beckley, WV this year. He was receiving interest from UConn, Duke, UCLA, & Kentucky just to name a few.

I know the coach at Mountain State Academy pretty well and he told me that this kid has serious NBA potential and that he's just recently starting getting a lot of recruiting attention. UCLA coach Ben Howland was in town a few weeks ago, along with Duke assistant Chris Collins, and UK coach Billy Gillispie.

[Cusefan]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Here is a couple Paragraphs from the Syracuse Post Standard on how the BBall team looks so for:

f you're a Syracuse fan, you'll be pleased to learn that Eric Devendorf's repaired knee has not prevented him from fearlessly attack the rim. He and the rest of his teammates practiced at the Carrier Dome this afternoon.

Among my observations: Devendorf is wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee. He told me a few weeks ago that he would leave the brace on until he no longer felt physically vulnerable without it. That said, he is still going hard to the basket with that courageous sense of abandon that characterizes his game. At one point during practice, he went to the rim, and after colliding with a tangle of bodies beneath the basket, he tumbled to the court in a thudding heap. But fear not. He picked himself up and kept playing.

Andy Rautins, who wears just a sleeve on his altered knee, is moving perfectly fine. ... and Kristof Ongenaet, who said he sustained some type of leg injury at the Seton Hall game last year, doesn't appear hobbled at all. ... Scoop Jardine, who is redshirting this season, seems to be limited to shooting on his injured leg. He's launching up some shots and then watching the rest of his teammates really sweat. ...

Wes Johnson looks like a player. He's sitting out the season because of NCAA transfer rules, but he's extremely athletic and can really finish around the basket. Johnson, at 6-7, is working out with the forwards. Mookie Jones is working with the guards; while Kris Joseph splits time between the groups.

[ehh]

ehh's Big East Preview (Pt I): Teams 1-6

1. Connecticut

UConn is big, strong and athletic. They are experienced (all five starters will be back by December) and their only losses are a few reserves who transferred after wearing out their welcome for various reasons. They are also one of two Big East teams to return three All-Conference players. AJ Price and Jeff Adrien were 1st teamers while Conference Defensive POY Hasheem Thabeet was a 2nd teamer. AJ Price is the arguably best point guard in the Big East (along with Johnny Flynn) and is expected to fully recover from his ACL surgery - he is already participating in full-contact team workouts and practices. Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien are the best front-court tandem in the conference as Thabeet is a defensive monster and Adrien led the conference in double-doubles a year ago.

After the Big 3, reliable-yet-unspectacular senior Craig Austrie is expected to start at the 2 and the SF position remains a mystery. Two-year starter Stanley Robinson is currently a non-scholarship player who is not enrolled in the school (team imposed) for the Fall semester but is expected back in December. Freshman wing Nate Miles, a lanky player with a reputation as a great shooter, was expelled from school less than one month after coming to Storrs. Jerome Dyson is the likely candidate to begin the season on the wing as UConn will use a three-guard lineup. Dyson has plenty of issues of his own, namely questionable maturity, suspect basketball IQ, a poor outside shot and for his level of athleticism he leaves something to be desired as an on-ball perimeter defender. He was also suspended for nine games last season after his role in a drug & alcohol bust by campus police.

Thabeet will be the player to keep an eye on, reports on him from LeBron's Skills Academy over the summer were impressive - one scout said he dominated Jarvis Varnado, Miss St's shot blocking menace, in every facet of the game and that he was by far the best Big East player at the camp. He showed flashes of brilliance last season but had a disappointing stretch run where he lacked assertiveness.

Even with the return of Robinson likely, UConn has nothing in the way of a defensive SF, which could spell doom for them come March. The small forward will be a defensive mismatch when facing teams with bigger wings such as Louisville and Georgetown. Freshman Ater Majok will join the team in December but he is more renown for his offensive game and will most likely be an inside-out power forward and not a wing player.

Another positive for the Huskies is the tremendous balance they possess - no one averaged more than 15 ppg last year but all five starters averaged double figures. AJ Price still proved to be the go-to guy who could get the job done in the clutch by hitting numerous big shots in key situations last year.

Kemba Walker is their most highly-touted recruit, an All-American point guard from the Bronx, who figures spend this season coming off the bench. Calhoun has already said he will slide Price to the 2 and have Walker in the game at the same time running the point.

Perhaps the biggest concern is that Jeff Adrien and Craig Austrie are the only two players on the roster who have won a post season game of any kind, and that was when they had limited roles as freshman on the 2006 Elite 8 team. While the team itself has as much experience as a whole as anyone in the conference, there is no way to make up for a lack of post season experience. But by March, UConn figures to have all five starters from the last two seasons in their lineup plus two quality freshman contributing off the bench.


2. Louisville

Louisville returns three starters from last year's Elite 8 team, most notably their two stud forwards Earl Clark and Terrance Williams. Williams was a second team all Big East player last year and while Clark was devoid of any honors he put just as good, if not better, numbers than Williams in most areas and has a higher upside than Williams. However, Williams is the better defensive player and led the team in assists last year at 4.5 per game, impressive for a 6'6" 215 lb wing. His field goal percentage needs a decent boost though, as he barely shot above 41% from the field last year. Either way you slice it, Clark and Williams will form as good of a duo as the Big East will see this year. The final piece to the front court puzzle is the highly touted freshman Samardo Samuels. The 6'8 240 power forward is considered by some to be the best recruit Pitino has lured to Louisville so far in his eight seasons at the helm and could be the determining factor on which way UL's season will swing.

The back court is well rounded, tough and deep - like most of Pitino's teams. Jerry Smith can stroke it from deep and Andre McGee knows his role and runs the team well. Edgar Sosa has had an up-and-down career so far and tries to do much at times. He hasn't really shown he's a true point guard and is not a great defender. Despite that, he's a player most coaches would love to have coming off the bench. If he has a big season and turns the corner it could spell major trouble for the opposition. Transfer Reginald Delk should give the Cards another long range threat and is a proven scorer at the high-major level. As a whole the back court is a tad undersized but similar to last year it should be a problem that is made up for by quickness, strength and toughness.

Despite the addition of Samuels, one cannot overlook the loss of David Padgett, Juan Palacios and Derrick Caracter. While Palacious and Caracter had disappointing careers, they did provide size, strength, depth and experience. Padgett was a first-team All-BE performer who gave the Cardinals a lot more than his 11 ppg, 5 rpg would suggest. Altogether the Cards lost 26 points and 15 rebounds per game from these three. Even if Samuels can fill the gap left by these three, there is no doubt that UL's front court depth will be hurt. Clark isn't a true post player and after him there is nothing but freshman. Samuels, Terrence Jennings and George Goode. Foul trouble up front and the dreaded "freshman wall" in Feb/March could be an issue to keep an eye on this year.

One thing that you have to like about the Cardinals is their balance. Similar to UConn, this team can easily not have a single player average more than 15 points a game and still be the best team in the league. Also similar to UConn, anything short of a Final Four trip will be a disappointment.


3. Pittsburgh

One thing I've learned over the last decade or so is never to underestimate Pitt in Big East play. Granted the NCAA tournament is an entirely different animal (unfortunate for Pitt fans), the Panthers have just a good a chance as UConn or Louisville of winning the regular season or BET. Toughness and defense, it's that simple. They never win pretty but it doesn't matter - and you can expect more of the same in 08-09. Sam Young put up 18 ppg and 6 rpg last year but lost out to Luke Harangody for Conference POY and now he's back for his senior season and will once again be as good as anyone in the conference. A freak athlete with an improving jump shot, you have to love a 6'6" wing who shoots over 50% from the floor and seemingly never loses his cool.

DuJuan Blair was a pleasant surprise last year and averaged 12 points and 9 boards en route to sharing the BE ROY. Despite only being 6'6", he uses his 270 lbs frame very well, hustles and plays with intensity almost to a fault - emotional outburts and foul trouble were an issue for the big man last year.

Back court depth may be an issue outside of Fields, the team lost Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin, and struggled quite a bit last year when Fields missed time with a foot injury. Fields is already having more issues with his foot this preseason and perhaps his health is the key to the entire season for Pitt. Keith Dixon (Juan's brother) is a highly rated juco transfer with two years of eligibility left and could really help ease the pain of losing Ramon & Benjamin. Two freshman guards will likely see the floor and Brad Wannamaker will likely be improved.

Nasir Robinson is the highest rated recruit that Jamie Dixon signed but plays the same position as Young and should be able to give some pop off the bench.

There seems to be little doubt that Pitt will continue it's recent impressive run in the Big East, but the real question is how high can they climb this season.


4. Syracuse

The Orange are my pick for the surprise team of 08-09. The more I look at this team, the more I like it. They have experience, talent, playmakers, toughness, etc. While I don't think they have the firepower and pure talent to crack the Top 3, they have as good a chance as anyone to finish 4th. Donte Green and his 18 points and 7 rpg are gone, but this is no doubt addition by subtraction for the Orange. While Green's numbers were impressive for a freshman, anyone who watched a lot of Syracuse games will tell you that Green did not fit in well with the offense and took way too many ill-advised three pointers that were not in the best interest of the team. He shot 34% from three, half of his FG attempts were from behind the arch and he took 130 more three pointers than he did FT's. And it was teammate Johnny Flynn who split the BE ROY with DuJuan Blair. Even though the team lost Eric Devendorf to an ACL and Green had to carry more of the load, those stats are not exactly what you want from a 6'11 player.

Moving on, the Orange are going to put out a starting five that will be able to compete with anyone in the league. Eric Devendorf is back after missing most of last season with a torn ACL and was averaging 17 ppg and 4 apg before the injury. Johnny Flynn has a chance to be the best PG in the conference and should not be negatively affected by Devendorf's return. Paul Harris was born to play Big East style basketball and is as tough as anyone in the conference. Arinze Onuaku is probably the most underrated player in the conference, I'm not sure how many people know he put up 13 and 8 last year while shooting a ridiculous 63% from the field while playing 31 minutes per game. The big question is the 4-spot, Rick Jackson and Kristof Ongenaet will fight for the starting spot and presumably have a 3-man rotation with Onuaku for the two post positions.

Depth is going to be the big concern for Syracuse but I'm not as worried about it as I'd be with other teams. The 2-3 zone allows players to conserve more energy and stay out of foul trouble. Their two freshman, wings Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph, will probably see a good amount of minutes off the bench and have good perimeter skills.

After two straight trips to the NIT I expect Syracuse to be back with some vengence this year.

5. Notre Dame

Things are always different when you're the hunted and not the hunter and this team won't be sneaking up on anyone this season, Notre Dame is the one team that I think is going to slip up this year and not quite live up to preseason expectations. Rob Kurz (13 ppg, 7 rpg) is the only player of significance the Irish lost but I think this team played over their head last year. Reigning conference POY Luke Harangody is back but the book is out on him now and he won't be surprising anyone. The double teams will come from Day 1 and most likely be more frequent, plus there is no reliable big man next to him anymore like Kurz was last year. At least he still has shooters galore to kick out to on the perimeter. Zach Hillesland and Luke Zeller will replace Kurz with Hillesland having the best shot of being a Kurz-type player. Sophomore wings Tyrone Nash and Tim Abromaitis will likely carry over their limited roles from last year.

Kyle McAlarney is back and is the best shooter in the conference. He knows the game very well and plays within himself despite constantly bombing away from deep. Tory Jackson is a wonderful compliment to McAlarney, as good of a sub-6'0 rebounder as you'll ever see in college basketball, Jackson put up respectable numbers across the board last year (8 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast) and is a very good defender. Ryan Ayers is a great shooter but needs to bring more to the table in his final year in South Bend. Jonathan Peoples is a solid all around player who won't wow you but contributes when on the court.

The Irish will still be nearly impossible to beat at home this year but I think they will have their share of struggles on the road. Besidse Harangody, who's a fringe pro at best, there are no future NBA'ers on this roster. That doesn't help when the other top teams in the conference are sporting 2-3 pro prospects each. There also aren't many bright spots on the defensive end of the floor besides Tory Jackson. But on the flip side, the Irish may have the best chemistry and teamwork of any team in the league. This is a big year for their program and a great chance to break through and get deep into March.

6. Marquette

The biggest headline in Marquette country this summer was the news of Tom Crean leaving to take the Indiana job. Buzz Williams takes over and has a quality group of returning players to help him through his first season. Marquette is the only team besides UConn to return three All-Conference players, granted all of them were 2nd team BE. Some argue that Dominic James has been a bit of a disappointment after his breakout freshman season three years ago, but he's still a tough PG with a ton of experience. Jerel McNeal is the player poised for a breakout season this year and could be a surprise candidate for the Big East POY come March. He finished his junior year averaging 15 points, 5 boards and 4 assists - but in the final six games of last season he put up 23 points and 6 boards. And that doesn't even get into how great of a defender McNeal is. Also returning is Wesley Matthews, a big guard who can do a bit of everything.

As has been the case during the McNeal/James/Matthews era, the front court is the weakness of this team. A solid or slightly above average front court would probably put Marquette as a Top 10 nationally but unfortunately for Marquette that is not the case. Lazar Hayward is easily the best front court player but is only 6'6" 215 pounds. A bit of a tweener (more by necessity than desire), Hayward can bang inside, rebound well for his size but also proved he can really stroke the jumper last year. He actually lead the team in with a 45% clip from beyond the arch. Trevor Mbakwe is the most likely candidate to help out in the paint and he has the muscle (245 lbs) to play down low. He missed most of last season with a knee injury but should add toughness and size. 6'10 freshman Chris Otule will get his chances to contribute as well.

It will be interesting to see how this core of veterans mesh with new coach Buzz Williams. The Golden Eagles should be a lock for the NCAA's and are sure to spring a few upsets in conference play during the regular season, but anything past a Sweet 16 trip would be a surprise.




Part II, teams 7-12, coming soon...

[NYJets]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I think they are a little hard on Dyson there.

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

UConn voted #1 in coaches preseason poll...

http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1605713

Preseason Coaches' Poll
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoTableGrid" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td class=""> School</td> <td class=""> Points</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 1. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Connecticut</st1></st1:state> (9)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 214<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 2. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Louisville</st1></st1:city>(3)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 205<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 3. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Pittsburgh</st1></st1:city> (3)
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 200<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 4. Notre Dame (1)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 195<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 5. Villanova
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 153<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 6. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Marquette</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 146<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 7. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Georgetown</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 141<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 8. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Syracuse</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 139<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 9. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>West Virginia</st1></st1:state>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 121<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 10. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Providence</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 99<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 11.<st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Cincinnati</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 91<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 12. <st1>Rutgers</st1>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 53<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 13. Seton Hall<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 50<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 14. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>St. John’s</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 44<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 15. DePaul <o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 43<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 16. USF<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 26
</td></tr></tbody></table>

And the preseason All-Conference teams....


008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

2008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Samardo Samuels, Louisville

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
*Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (Player of the Year), F, Jr., 6-8, Schererville, Ind.
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Indianapolis, Ind.
A.J. Price, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-2, 181, Amityville, N.Y.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr., 7-3, 263, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown, F, Jr., 6-8, 241, Baltimore, Md.
Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Sr., 6-6, 210, Seattle, Wash.
Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 200, Country Club Hills, Ill.
Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-0, 196, Staten Island, N.Y.
*Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Clinton, Md.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, G, So., 6-0, 185, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va.

*unanimous selection

2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Sr., 6-7, 243, Brookline, Mass.
Earl Clark, Louisville, G/F, Jr., 6-8, 220, Rahway, N.J.
Dominic James, Marquette, G, Sr., 5-11, 185, Richmond, Ind.



I'm surprised Nova is so high and Cuse is so low.

[crques]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

UConn voted #1 in coaches preseason poll...

http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1605713

Preseason Coaches' Poll
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoTableGrid" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td class=""> School</td> <td class=""> Points</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 1. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Connecticut</st1></st1:state> (9)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 214<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 2. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Louisville</st1></st1:city>(3)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 205<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 3. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Pittsburgh</st1></st1:city> (3)
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 200<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 4. Notre Dame (1)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 195<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 5. Villanova
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 153<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 6. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Marquette</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 146<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 7. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Georgetown</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 141<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 8. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Syracuse</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 139<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 9. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>West Virginia</st1></st1:state>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 121<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 10. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Providence</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 99<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 11.<st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Cincinnati</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 91<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 12. <st1>Rutgers</st1>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 53<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 13. Seton Hall<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 50<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 14. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>St. John’s</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 44<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 15. DePaul <o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 43<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 16. USF<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 26
</td></tr></tbody></table>

And the preseason All-Conference teams....


008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

2008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Samardo Samuels, Louisville

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
*Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (Player of the Year), F, Jr., 6-8, Schererville, Ind.
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Indianapolis, Ind.
A.J. Price, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-2, 181, Amityville, N.Y.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr., 7-3, 263, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown, F, Jr., 6-8, 241, Baltimore, Md.
Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Sr., 6-6, 210, Seattle, Wash.
Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 200, Country Club Hills, Ill.
Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-0, 196, Staten Island, N.Y.
*Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Clinton, Md.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, G, So., 6-0, 185, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va.

*unanimous selection

2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Sr., 6-7, 243, Brookline, Mass.
Earl Clark, Louisville, G/F, Jr., 6-8, 220, Rahway, N.J.
Dominic James, Marquette, G, Sr., 5-11, 185, Richmond, Ind.



I'm surprised Nova is so high and Cuse is so low.

I know that these are preseason predictions but I would have to think that Butler or Ruoff from WVU are going to be on that list when the season's over. Both of them should have huge years.

[KG]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

One thing about the new Big East that I really hate is how many damn people are on their All-Big East Teams. I wish there were just 5 or 6 spots total.

[Cusefan]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

No love for paul Harris...

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

One thing about the new Big East that I really hate is how many damn people are on their All-Big East Teams. I wish there were just 5 or 6 spots total.

Yeah it does suck. But we already have enough people complaining with the teams as large as they are!

[superjames1992]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

UConn voted #1 in coaches preseason poll...

http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1605713

Preseason Coaches' Poll
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoTableGrid" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td class=""> School</td> <td class=""> Points</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 1. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Connecticut</st1></st1:state> (9)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 214<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 2. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Louisville</st1></st1:city>(3)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 205<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 3. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Pittsburgh</st1></st1:city> (3)
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 200<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 4. Notre Dame (1)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 195<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 5. Villanova
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 153<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 6. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Marquette</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 146<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 7. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Georgetown</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 141<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 8. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Syracuse</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 139<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 9. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>West Virginia</st1></st1:state>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 121<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 10. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Providence</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 99<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 11.<st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Cincinnati</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 91<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 12. <st1>Rutgers</st1>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 53<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 13. Seton Hall<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 50<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 14. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>St. John’s</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 44<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 15. DePaul <o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 43<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 16. USF<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 26
</td></tr></tbody></table>

And the preseason All-Conference teams....


008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

2008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Samardo Samuels, Louisville

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
*Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (Player of the Year), F, Jr., 6-8, Schererville, Ind.
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Indianapolis, Ind.
A.J. Price, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-2, 181, Amityville, N.Y.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr., 7-3, 263, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown, F, Jr., 6-8, 241, Baltimore, Md.
Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Sr., 6-6, 210, Seattle, Wash.
Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 200, Country Club Hills, Ill.
Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-0, 196, Staten Island, N.Y.
*Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Clinton, Md.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, G, So., 6-0, 185, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va.

*unanimous selection

2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Sr., 6-7, 243, Brookline, Mass.
Earl Clark, Louisville, G/F, Jr., 6-8, 220, Rahway, N.J.
Dominic James, Marquette, G, Sr., 5-11, 185, Richmond, Ind.



I'm surprised Nova is so high and Cuse is so low.

Looks like WVU is just going to have to exceed expectations again as they have done for the past five or so years...

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Good news for UConn...

Calhoun said Stanley Robinson has been "100-percent approved by the dean at UConn" to return to the school in mid-December. Robinson, who is already academically eligible to return, still has a few loopholes to close up, but Calhoun is "95 percent" sure that Robinson will be with the Huskies on Dec. 14

Also, Nate Miles has enrolled at Southern Idaho, a junior college.

[countryboy]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

UConn voted #1 in coaches preseason poll...

http://www.bigeast.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&ATCLID=1605713

Preseason Coaches' Poll
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoTableGrid" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td class=""> School</td> <td class=""> Points</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 1. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>Connecticut</st1></st1:state> (9)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 214<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 2. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Louisville</st1></st1:city>(3)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 205<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 3. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Pittsburgh</st1></st1:city> (3)
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 200<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 4. Notre Dame (1)<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 195<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 5. Villanova
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 153<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 6. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Marquette</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 146<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 7. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Georgetown</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 141<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 8. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Syracuse</st1></st1:city>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 139<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 9. <st1:state w:st="on"><st1>West Virginia</st1></st1:state>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 121<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 10. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Providence</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 99<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 11.<st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Cincinnati</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 91<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 12. <st1>Rutgers</st1>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 53<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 13. Seton Hall<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 50<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 14. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>St. John’s</st1></st1:city><o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 44<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 15. DePaul <o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 43<o></o>
</td></tr> <tr style=""> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top"> 16. USF<o></o>
</td> <td class="" style="border: medium none rgb(236, 233, 216); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.55pt; background-color: transparent;" valign="top" width="114"> 26
</td></tr></tbody></table>

And the preseason All-Conference teams....


008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

2008-09 BIG EAST Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Samardo Samuels, Louisville

2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
*Luke Harangody, Notre Dame (Player of the Year), F, Jr., 6-8, Schererville, Ind.
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Indianapolis, Ind.
A.J. Price, Connecticut, G, Sr., 6-2, 181, Amityville, N.Y.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr., 7-3, 263, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown, F, Jr., 6-8, 241, Baltimore, Md.
Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Sr., 6-6, 210, Seattle, Wash.
Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Sr., 6-3, 200, Country Club Hills, Ill.
Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-0, 196, Staten Island, N.Y.
*Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Jr., 6-6, 215, Clinton, Md.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, G, So., 6-0, 185, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, Jr., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va.

*unanimous selection

2008-09 Preseason BIG EAST Honorable Mention
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Sr., 6-7, 243, Brookline, Mass.
Earl Clark, Louisville, G/F, Jr., 6-8, 220, Rahway, N.J.
Dominic James, Marquette, G, Sr., 5-11, 185, Richmond, Ind.



I'm surprised Nova is so high and Cuse is so low.

How in the hell is Earl Clark not on the Preseason All Big East team? Anyways, I'm glad that we aren't the favorites going in and I'll be surprised if Harangody is actually the Big East player of the year come March. Big East's biggest crybaby maybe, but not player of the year.

[ehh]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

How in the hell is Earl Clark not on the Preseason All Big East team?

Well, he did only average 11 & 8 last year. Who would you take off the current team to place Clark on it? It's a deep conference and right now this is pretty much based off last year. Jeff Adrien led the conference in double-double's last year AND was a first team All-Big East player and even he didn't make this preseason team.

[P2K]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

I'm surprised Nova is so high and Cuse is so low.

Like I said before, everyone (except for Malcolm Grant-transfered to Miami) is coming back. You would think they will be better, especially with Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes a year older.

[Cusefan]

Re: 2008/2009 Big East Thread

Everyone in the Syracuse media knows this team is Underrated. The good news is though, the last time Syracuse was legitimately underrated at the begining of the season, they won the national championship.

The reason they are so under-rated is because they think the loss of Greene is going to cripple this team. Fact is, Greene is addition by subtraction. The National Media is is not giving Rautins and Devondorf enough credit to make up for the point Greene left with. Devo and Flynn are both great leaders and are going to get this team into the NCAA tourney.