General Big East Thread 20-21

[Silkk the Shaka]

The last tournament. 2019. Marquette's 5 seed was best in the conference.

Hmmm... I wonder if there's any correlation there with our only quality streak of conference play under Wojo...

Date   Rank   Opponent   Result   Ultimate NCAA result
Tue Jan 1   88   St. John's   L, 89-69   Lost to ASU in R1
Sun Jan 6   65   Xavier   W, 70-52   
Wed Jan 9   55   Creighton   W, 106-104   
Sat Jan 12   60   Seton Hall   W, 70-66   Lost to Wofford in R1
Tue Jan 15   100   Georgetown   W, 74-71   
Sun Jan 20   79   Providence   W, 79-68   
Wed Jan 23   118   DePaul   W, 79-69   
Sat Jan 26   65   Xavier   W, 87-82   
Wed Jan 30   72   Butler   W, 76-58   
Tue Feb 5   88   St. John's   L, 70-69   Lost to ASU in R1
Sat Feb 9   30   Villanova   W, 66-65   Lost to Purdue in R2
Tue Feb 12   118   DePaul   W, 92-73   
Wed Feb 20   72   Butler   W, 79-69   
Sat Feb 23   79   Providence   W, 76-58   

Back in the halcyon days of our 12-2 conference start, we played a total of one (1) top 50 KenPom opponent, and went 1-2 against fringe tournament teams.

[PGsHeroes32]

All of Butlers seniors returning.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

All of Butlers seniors returning.

But I was told so many times here that basically no seniors would return!!!!

[Herman Cain]

All of Butlers seniors returning.

Butler  was coming on at end of the season. Dear his should give them some great momentum.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2021/03/25/butler-basketball-seniors-aaron-thompson-bryce-nze-return-2021-22-jair-bolden/7007009002/

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Cooley has convinced Nate Watson and Noah Horchler to use their COVID years. Convince Duke not to go pro and Providence goes from a likely cellar dweller to a possible top 3 or 4 team in the Big East.

The cynic in me thinks that Cooley is gearing up for one last big run so he can try to take another job next season.

[Herman Cain]

Cooley has convinced Nate Watson and Noah Horchler to use their COVID years. Convince Duke not to go pro and Providence goes from a likely cellar dweller to a possible top 3 or 4 team in the Big East.

The cynic in me thinks that Cooley is gearing up for one last big run so he can try to take another job next season.

Looks like Cooley got a commitment from a 2022 prospect

https://247sports.com/college/providence/Article/Jayden-Epps-commitment-Providence-basketball-Ed-Cooley-163281394/

[Pakuni]

No surprise, but James Bouknight is officially off to the NBA.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I just saw breaking local news, that James Bouknight will declare for the draft.

[Herman Cain]

I just saw breaking local news, that James Bouknight will declare for the draft.

Hope he is well received and doesn't come back 

[Billy Hoyle]

two big losses for St. John's - Williams and Earlington go into the Transfer Portal. Word is there was jealousy towards the NYC guys.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

two big losses for St. John's - Williams and Earlington go into the Transfer Portal. Word is there was jealousy towards the NYC guys.

Yikes. Of the 12 players who played at least 3 minutes for St. John's last season, 2 are set to graduate (could use COVID years) and 7 are in the transfer portal. Only 3 players are set to return to St. John's...and one of them could probably go pro if he wanted to.

They've gone from likely contender for BE crown to likely last place team in a matter of weeks. Lots of time to replace guys with transfers but damn.

[nyg]

Yikes. Of the 12 players who played at least 3 minutes for St. John's last season, 2 are set to graduate (could use COVID years) and 7 are in the transfer portal. Only 3 players are set to return to St. John's...and one of them could probably go pro if he wanted to.

They've gone from likely contender for BE crown to likely last place team in a matter of weeks. Lots of time to replace guys with transfers but damn.

They got Stef Smith from Vermont, but I thought the players liked Anderson.  I thought it was 8 in portal now. Something has to be going on behind the scenes.  They have lost a bunch of players in last few years.  Like said, if Dunn, who is a senior doesn’t return, that leaves them with Posh, Smith and Champiane.. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

They got Stef Smith from Vermont, but I thought the players liked Anderson.  I thought it was 8 in portal now. Something has to be going on behind the scenes.  They have lost a bunch of players in last few years.  Like said, if Dunn, who is a senior doesn’t return, that leaves them with Posh, Smith and Champiane..

"Only" 7 in the portal I believe. Pretty sure that's first among P6 schools. Assuming no COVID years they are currently set to start Posh, Smith, Addae-Wusu, Champaigne, and one of their 2021 recruits. Of course Champaigne could go pro

[Scoop Snoop]

Hope he is well received and doesn't come back 

I was hoping he would. His going pro along with DePaul's and St. John's ongoing problems = a weaker BE. What's next? Hoping that Gillespie does not come back?Or hope that McDermott gets canned or a BE coach takes another gig? I'd like our conference wins to have value in the eyes of the tourney committee.

[Uncle Rico]

I was hoping he would. His going pro along with DePaul's and St. John's ongoing problems = a weaker BE. What's next? Hoping that Gillespie does not come back?Or hope that McDermott gets canned or a BE coach takes another gig? I'd like our conference wins to have value in the eyes of the tourney committee.

Gonzaga does fine

[Scoop Snoop]

Gonzaga does fine

And that relates to Marquette and the BE how?

[Billy Hoyle]

They got Stef Smith from Vermont, but I thought the players liked Anderson.  I thought it was 8 in portal now. Something has to be going on behind the scenes.  They have lost a bunch of players in last few years.  Like said, if Dunn, who is a senior doesn’t return, that leaves them with Posh, Smith and Champiane..

They still have Wusu, three incoming, and they signed this dude at semester too:  https://nypost.com/2020/12/04/st-johns-gets-committment-from-juco-big-man-esahia-nyiwe/

Basically, all Mullin guys are gone now.

Williams could be the biggest loss. Unfortunately, he suffered a back injury he never truly recovered from. Hopefully, he can. Earlington is good but replaceable.

With not having to sit out this is going to be the norm moving forward. https://twitter.com/i/status/1377354199055310848

[Uncle Rico]

And that relates to Marquette and the BE how?

Marquette doesn’t need the Big East to be great to be great themselves

[Lennys Tap]

Marquette doesn’t need the Big East to be great to be great themselves

Rico

Gonzaga proves this every year. To a large extent so does Villanova. If the Big East as a whole continues to struggle I guess things might be more difficult for MU. But not impossible.

[Uncle Rico]

Rico

Gonzaga proves this every year. To a large extent so does Villanova. If the Big East as a whole continues to struggle I guess things might be more difficult for MU. But not impossible.

I think we’re far enough away from the new vs. old Big East argument where we have to cheer for other programs to do good to make us look good, too.  If Marquette takes care of their business, they won’t have to rely on others to help them.  Would it be more difficult?  I suppose, but the league will probably always have a lead dog to chase and aspire to.  That’s what Marquette should strive for

[Galway Eagle]

Rico

Gonzaga proves this every year. To a large extent so does Villanova. If the Big East as a whole continues to struggle I guess things might be more difficult for MU. But not impossible.

They do now because they've built up that the reputation and have increased their players' talent to not lose. Remember for years when it was RPI they'd split with St Mary's and that alone would drop them 3 seed lines.

[Lennys Tap]

I think we’re far enough away from the new vs. old Big East argument where we have to cheer for other programs to do good to make us look good, too.  If Marquette takes care of their business, they won’t have to rely on others to help them.  Would it be more difficult?  I suppose, but the league will probably always have a lead dog to chase and aspire to.  That’s what Marquette should strive for

Yep. There’s some truth in the “a strong conference benefits all of its members” but only some. Gonzaga and Villanova are great on their own merits, regardless of affiliation. That has to be Marquette’s mission.

[PGsHeroes32]

Yeah, I would definitely enjoy if MU can be great and the BE can be as well every single year.

But we are the clear priority. If we are great I truly don't care what the rest of the league is year in and year out.

If 6 teams being decimated with losses of players gives us a better chance at going toe to toe with NOva for the crown again, bring it on.

[Billy Hoyle]

"Only" 7 in the portal I believe. Pretty sure that's first among P6 schools. Assuming no COVID years they are currently set to start Posh, Smith, Addae-Wusu, Champaigne, and one of their 2021 recruits. Of course Champaigne could go pro

Williams not fully out the door yet. This from  his dad:

Greg Williams Sr. on his son's decision to transfer: "It's not a question of loyalty. He's been loyal to St. John's and the fans. He's been an exemplary person. He's doing nothing more than trying to see what's his value, what's his worth." #sjubb

[Galway Eagle]

Williams not fully out the door yet. This from  his dad:

Greg Williams Sr. on his son's decision to transfer: "It's not a question of loyalty. He's been loyal to St. John's and the fans. He's been an exemplary person. He's doing nothing more than trying to see what's his value, what's his worth." #sjubb

"Would I ever leave this company? Look, I'm all about loyalty. In fact, I feel like part of what I'm being paid for here is my loyalty. But if there were somewhere else that valued loyalty more highly, I'm going wherever they value loyalty the most."

-Dwight Schrute