The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

The only big concern I have right now for UofL, going into the exhibition games, is rebounding. I don't know where we are going to get the rebounds from that Williams and Clark gathered last year.

I don't expect us to be as good of a passing team this year as we were last year, but we will be a better outside shooting team and better suited to run the ball.

Defense is always a concern when the season begins, but under the coaching of Pitino, I'm not worried about it coming around in time for conference play.

[KG]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

People are underestimating the Cardinals the loss of Williams and Clark hurts but Jennings, Samardo, and Swopshire will fill the rolls and this team will be just as strong as they were last year.

I highly doubt that but OK. When you lose 2 1st round picks with the versatility of T-Will and Clark you don't easily replace that with guys like Swopshire. Samardo and Jennings should be strong down low but Swopshire didn't show much of anything last year. He only scored in 2 of their last 14 games. You're gonna need Gerry and Sosa to knock down some shots from the outside to keep teams from packing it in.

Pitino's a great coach though so you guys will still be tough.

I'm not 100% sold on Nova. Cunningham was their glue guy. Yeah they have guards for days but how will they handle being the hunted now.

It's going to be a really down year for the Big East.

[ehh]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

People are underestimating the Cardinals the loss of Williams and Clark hurts but Jennings, Samardo, and Swopshire will fill the rolls and this team will be just as strong as they were last year.

Your posts always bring a smile to my face.

[Bighoff]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

ehh, I'm glad I can provide some amusement with my posts.

I'll clarify my thoughts a bit better, yes loosing T-Will and Earl hurts this team they are not easily replaced but as a group if Samardo , Jennings, Sosa, Smith, Swopshire, and the rest of the lesser known players including freshman Peyton Siva can come together and play smart intense Rick Pitino basketball that they could repeat the feats of last season.

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

I won't say that people are underestimating UofL since we are picked to finish 4th in the league, but I do think that we have the capability of making it 3 for 3 in terms of getting to the Elite 8 this year.

Williams and Clark are irreplaceable no doubt, but at the same time, we have a guys such as Swopshire who added roughly 25lbs in the offseason to become stronger, Reggie Delk, who will shine this year mark my words, George Goode who's one of the most improved players in the early season according to the coaches, Samuels who will be a beast, and then guys like Buckles, Siva, & Kuric, who will see significant playing time.

And as I said earlier, this team will be a better shooting team vs last year and we may have one of the deepest backcourts in not only the Big East, but in the country, with Sosa and Smith as starters and Siva and Knowles as the backups.

Going to be a fun year.

[Bighoff]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

I won't say that people are underestimating UofL since we are picked to finish 4th in the league, but I do think that we have the capability of making it 3 for 3 in terms of getting to the Elite 8 this year.

Williams and Clark are irreplaceable no doubt, but at the same time, we have a guys such as Swopshire who added roughly 25lbs in the offseason to become stronger, Reggie Delk, who will shine this year mark my words, George Goode who's one of the most improved players in the early season according to the coaches, Samuels who will be a beast, and then guys like Buckles, Siva, & Kuric, who will see significant playing time.

And as I said earlier, this team will be a better shooting team vs last year and we may have one of the deepest backcourts in not only the Big East, but in the country, with Sosa and Smith as starters and Siva and Knowles as the backups.

Going to be a fun year.

I totally agree but I believe that Jennings and Samardo will be pulling down more rebounds this season making up for the departure of T-Will and Earl in that department at least.

[Cusefan]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Syracuse looked pretty good with a 97-54 win over Cal St. LA. You can no longer say Syracuse rebuilds, they simply reload. Watch out for Brandon Triche this year, he is not Jonny Flynn but he is still pretty good for a freshmen. Wesly Johnson is also nasty, This guy is going to be great, You can take that to the bank.

Though Syracuse is Under-rated they will still be very good this year.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Man I can't wait for the season to start. Excited about this years Cincinnati team.

[jetercanoturn2]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Man I can't wait for the season to start. Excited about this years Cincinnati team.

I'm interested in seeing what Lance Stephenson can do. I'll definitely be watching the Cross town shootout this year, as I did last year. That's alot of fun to watch and never realized how big a rivalry it is. Some Passionate fans in Cincy!!

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Watched the UofL Red/White scrimmage yesterday afternoon. Cards fans, you're going to love Siva and Buckles. Siva's dribbling and dishes and Buckles hitting the boards hard.

Very excited by what I saw from this team, although Sosa chose to shoot first, shoot second, and pass third. Hopefully, he'll at least look to pass second as the season progresses.

Siva and Knowles are a deadly combination in the backcourt.

[KG]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Watched the UofL Red/White scrimmage yesterday afternoon. Cards fans, you're going to love Siva and Buckles. Siva's dribbling and dishes and Buckles hitting the boards hard.

Very excited by what I saw from this team, although Sosa chose to shoot first, shoot second, and pass third. Hopefully, he'll at least look to pass second as the season progresses.

Siva and Knowles are a deadly combination in the backcourt.

That's part of the point I was getting at earlier in the thread. It's going to require a change of philisophy for Sosa in order to get the ball down low through him

Siva has crazy handles though. I've seen him play a couple of times, kid is exciting with the rock in his hands.

Going back to the poll. I can't remember the last time I've seen Pitt that low. I'm not saying it's not deserved but still.

[countryboy]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

That's part of the point I was getting at earlier in the thread. It's going to require a change of philisophy for Sosa in order to get the ball down low through him

Siva has crazy handles though. I've seen him play a couple of times, kid is exciting with the rock in his hands.

Going back to the poll. I can't remember the last time I've seen Pitt that low. I'm not saying it's not deserved but still.

I understand what you're saying but Siva, Knowles, Swop, and Smith, were distributing the ball down low very well. And it wasn't like Sosa wasn't running the offense, its just that there were many instances where he could've made the extra pass for a better shot, but chose to shoot instead.

[Pyro]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

No excuses this year, we are going to make noise in the Big East this year, it's going to be NCAA or bust. Let's go Hall!

[justamush]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

Going back to the poll. I can't remember the last time I've seen Pitt that low. I'm not saying it's not deserved but still.

I am cautiously optimistic about this years Pitt team. They are obviously not going to be as good as last year's team, but I have learned to never count out a Jamie Dixon coached team. I have a good feeling they will be in the hunt for a Big East Tourney bye at the end of the season, and will be dancing for the 9th straight year.

In the end I think they will finish 6th or 7th in the conference this year.

[crques]

Re: The 2009/2010 Big East Thread

There's a rumor flying around some of the WVU message boards that 4 star recruit Adreian Payne is ready to commit to the Mountaineers and he's not alone. I don't know who else they're referring to but apparently there's another highly rated prospect that's already committed somewhere else that has changed his mind and is planning to come to WVU with Payne. Take it for what it's worth since it's message board chatter but I've seen it on 3 different boards today. I sure hope it's true.

Edit - Once again, it's only message board talk but a lot of speculation is that it's 4 star SG Jordan Sibert, who was recruited by the Mountaineers but is currently committed to the Buckeyes. He and Payne are supposedly pretty good friends and play or have played AAU ball together. Also, looks like Payne will officially make his announcement on Friday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.