Incoming Players to Watch
Dom Pointer (St. John's)
Norvel Pelle (St. John's)
Jakaar Sampson (St. John's)
Amir Garrett(St. John's)
Jakaar Sampson (St. John's)
Amir Garrett(St. John's)
Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse)
Rakeem Chritmas (Syracuse)
DeAndre Daniels (UConn)
Ryan Boatright (UConn)
Ryan Boatright (UConn)
Wayne Blackshear (Louisville)
Chane Behanan (Louisville)
Kevin Ware (Louisville)
Juan Anderson (Marquette)
Kadeem Jack (Rutgers)
Myles Mack (Rutgers)
Kadeem Jack (Rutgers)
Myles Mack (Rutgers)
Khem Birch (Pittsburgh)
Otto Porter (Georgetown)
Tyrone Johnson (Villanova)
Achraf Yacoubou (Villanova)
Achraf Yacoubou (Villanova)
UConn
After coming off a title run it's difficult to settle for anything less than a repeat. For UConn achieving that task will be anything but easy with the loss of dynamic guard, Kemba Walker. DeAndre Daniels last minute decision to join UConn next year brings them back into the conversation for beast of the Big East. Daniels athleticism and 6'7" frame can cause havoc due to the ability to block off passing lanes. If UConn wants to continue to do great things Roscoe Smith and Shabazz Napier need to move away from the role player position and become impact players. Shabazz Napier needs to step up his role at the point guard position and help create shots for others.
Big Picture: Kemba Walker's shoes are always going to be hard to fill. UConn has all the right tools they need to have a very solid team next year. Daniels and Lamb are going to be the most feared wing combo in the country if they play up to expectations. The question is who is going to step up and run the show?
University of Connecticut Huskies Projected Starters
C-Alex Oriakhi (Jr) 9.6 PPG 8.7 RPG
PF-Roscoe Smith (So) 6.3 PPG
SF-DeAndre Daniels (Fr) n/a
SG- Jeremy Lamb (So) 11.1 PPG
PG-Shabazz Napier (So) 7.8 PPG
Key reserves- PF Tyler Olander(So), PG Ryan Boatright (Fr)
Syracuse
There is only one word that can describe last season for the Syracuse Orange: disappointment. After starting the season 18-0 things went down hill fast. The first loss of the year was recorded by Pittsburgh which came down to the last few possessions. The 'Cuse had a 3 game hangover after the tough loss to Pitt. It was the first time in 5 years the Orange had a 4 game skid. Many fingers were pointed from the tough New York fan base. Some people say that the point shaving rumors got to the players heads during that 4 game slide.
Even though Rick Jackson is leaving, Syracuse has the most depth of any roster in the Big East. The 'Cuse have 3 players that are returning that are putting up double digits. Leading the charge in scoring is future lottery pick Kris Joseph. Central New Yorkers are praying for Fab Melo to step up and become a big time rebounder. With his 7 foot 240 pound frame he has the potential to own the paint and become Jackson's apprentice. On the other block will be freshman shot blocking sensation Rakeem Christmas. C.J. Fair and Dion Waiters both played up to their freshman expectations last year and hope to make an even bigger impact this upcoming year. Freshman players Michael Carter-Williams and Trevor Cooney will play off the bench for the Orange. Carter-Williams will be a big time bench player his freshman year with a silky-smooth game and one of the best pure scorers in the freshman class. Carter-Williams has a Jeremy Lamb type game and has the potential to have a big impact as soon as he gets adjusted to the speed and physicality of the Big East. Cooney is dead eye from 3 point range and is good at finding seams in the defense and finishes well for his size.
Big Picture: Syracuse needs to find a leader that they can consistently go to late in games to produce. In years past coach Boeheim prefers to keep a smaller rotation but with this many guys that can put up points it may be a smart idea to play 8 or 9 guys to keep their legs fresh to keep the 2-3 zone active.
Even though Rick Jackson is leaving, Syracuse has the most depth of any roster in the Big East. The 'Cuse have 3 players that are returning that are putting up double digits. Leading the charge in scoring is future lottery pick Kris Joseph. Central New Yorkers are praying for Fab Melo to step up and become a big time rebounder. With his 7 foot 240 pound frame he has the potential to own the paint and become Jackson's apprentice. On the other block will be freshman shot blocking sensation Rakeem Christmas. C.J. Fair and Dion Waiters both played up to their freshman expectations last year and hope to make an even bigger impact this upcoming year. Freshman players Michael Carter-Williams and Trevor Cooney will play off the bench for the Orange. Carter-Williams will be a big time bench player his freshman year with a silky-smooth game and one of the best pure scorers in the freshman class. Carter-Williams has a Jeremy Lamb type game and has the potential to have a big impact as soon as he gets adjusted to the speed and physicality of the Big East. Cooney is dead eye from 3 point range and is good at finding seams in the defense and finishes well for his size.
Big Picture: Syracuse needs to find a leader that they can consistently go to late in games to produce. In years past coach Boeheim prefers to keep a smaller rotation but with this many guys that can put up points it may be a smart idea to play 8 or 9 guys to keep their legs fresh to keep the 2-3 zone active.
Syracuse University Orange Projected Starters
C- Fab Melo (So) 2.3 PPG
PF-Rakeem Christmas (Fr) n/a
SF-Kris Joseph (Sr) 14.3 PPG 5.2 RPG
SG-Scoop Jardine (Sr) 12.5 PPG 5.9 APG
PG-Brandon Triche (Jr) 11.1 PPG 2.9 APG
Key Reserves-C.J. Fair (So), Dion Waiters (So), Michael Carter-Williams (Fr), and Trevor Cooney (Fr)
St. John's
Last season St. John's got off to a slow start losing to 3 unranked teams before Big East play. The second half of the season they assimilated to Steve Lavin's new system and had big wins over talented teams such as Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Villanova. The Red Storm quietly put themselves up to 3rd place in conference play. Toward the end of the season they were on the cusp of being one of the best teams in the country but couldn't get over the hump during the Big East tournament with a six point loss to Syracuse.
There is no question that St. John's has one of the best recruiting classes in the country right behind Duke and Kentucky. Lavin has proved in years past he can convert top talent into winners with 6 consecutive 20 win seasons at UCLA.
St. John's four freshman SF's possess more athleticism at one position than any other team in the country. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, the four freshman small forwards aren't impressive dribbling the basketball and lack the tools they need to be effective at the shooting guard position.
Anchoring the defense is scary athletic big man Norvel Pelle. Pelle is one of a few freshman big men that has the ability to explode off the ground for a block and then finish on the other end in a matter of seconds. He lacks a go to move in the low post but can score easily when playing with a driving point guard.
Big Picture: "Shoes need to be filled. Shoes will be filled." Although they have the best recruiting class in the Big East, they had three seniors averaging double figures last year. In years past the Big East has had a brutal reputation for freshman success. With Steve Lavin's track record it can be assumed that this young St. John's team will be no slouch. Lavin completely changed the program around with his science for recruiting and winning mentality. If the nine new players get used to Lavin's system as quickly as last year's team, there will be a promising future for these young guns.
Key Reserves-C.J. Fair (So), Dion Waiters (So), Michael Carter-Williams (Fr), and Trevor Cooney (Fr)
St. John's
Last season St. John's got off to a slow start losing to 3 unranked teams before Big East play. The second half of the season they assimilated to Steve Lavin's new system and had big wins over talented teams such as Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, and Villanova. The Red Storm quietly put themselves up to 3rd place in conference play. Toward the end of the season they were on the cusp of being one of the best teams in the country but couldn't get over the hump during the Big East tournament with a six point loss to Syracuse.
There is no question that St. John's has one of the best recruiting classes in the country right behind Duke and Kentucky. Lavin has proved in years past he can convert top talent into winners with 6 consecutive 20 win seasons at UCLA.
St. John's four freshman SF's possess more athleticism at one position than any other team in the country. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, the four freshman small forwards aren't impressive dribbling the basketball and lack the tools they need to be effective at the shooting guard position.
Anchoring the defense is scary athletic big man Norvel Pelle. Pelle is one of a few freshman big men that has the ability to explode off the ground for a block and then finish on the other end in a matter of seconds. He lacks a go to move in the low post but can score easily when playing with a driving point guard.
Big Picture: "Shoes need to be filled. Shoes will be filled." Although they have the best recruiting class in the Big East, they had three seniors averaging double figures last year. In years past the Big East has had a brutal reputation for freshman success. With Steve Lavin's track record it can be assumed that this young St. John's team will be no slouch. Lavin completely changed the program around with his science for recruiting and winning mentality. If the nine new players get used to Lavin's system as quickly as last year's team, there will be a promising future for these young guns.
St. John's University Red Storm Projected Starters
C- Norvel Pelle (Fr) n/a
PF- Jakarr Sampson (Fr) n/a
SF- Dom Pointer (Fr) n/a
SG-D'Angelo Harrison (Fr) n/a
PG- Phillip Greene (Fr) n/a
Key Reserves- Maurice Harkless (Fr), Amir Garrett (Fr), Dwayne Polee (So), and Malik Stith (Jr)
Louisville
Louisville
With the late acquisition of incoming freshman shooting guard Kevin Ware, the Cardinals have a top ten recruiting class. Unfortunately for Kevin Ware, playing time isn't going to come easy. Ware will have to prove in practice that he can out hustle highly recruited Wayne Blackshear. Blackshear is a big bodied shooting guard that can be deadly from three when he finds his stroke. Knee problems was an issue for many big time schools when recruiting him. Freshman big men Chane Behanan and Zach Price will contribute solid amount of minutes and big time rebounding. Behanan was a McDonald's All-American and will continue to turn heads on the college level. Behanan uses his body well on the offensive end but still lacks any sort of post move or hook shot.
Big Picture: Last year lack of rebounding knocked Louisville out of the tournament in the first round to Morehead State. Big Bodies of Chane Behanan and Zach Price will certainly help their cause. Wayne Blackshear will be a big time bench player and sometimes will even start. Louisville will be substantially better if there 2 freshman big men grab boards. Veteran leaders on the team will consist of Kyle Kuric, Rakeem Buckles, Chris Smith, and Peyton Siva.
University of Louisville Cardinals Projected Starters
Big Picture: Last year lack of rebounding knocked Louisville out of the tournament in the first round to Morehead State. Big Bodies of Chane Behanan and Zach Price will certainly help their cause. Wayne Blackshear will be a big time bench player and sometimes will even start. Louisville will be substantially better if there 2 freshman big men grab boards. Veteran leaders on the team will consist of Kyle Kuric, Rakeem Buckles, Chris Smith, and Peyton Siva.
University of Louisville Cardinals Projected Starters
C- Zach Price (Fr) n/a
PF-Chane Behanan (Fr) n/a
PF-Chane Behanan (Fr) n/a
SF-Wayne Blackshear (Fr) n/a
SG-Kyle Kuric (Sr) 10.8 PPG
PG- Peyton Siva (Sr) 9.9 PPG
Key Reserves- Rakeem Buckles (Jr), Mike Marra (Jr), Angel Nunez (Fr), Kevin Ware (Fr)
SG-Kyle Kuric (Sr) 10.8 PPG
PG- Peyton Siva (Sr) 9.9 PPG
Key Reserves- Rakeem Buckles (Jr), Mike Marra (Jr), Angel Nunez (Fr), Kevin Ware (Fr)
