ESPN's way to early ranking summary for BE.
St. John's nationally ranked third, UConn sixth, Creighton twenty-six after most portal transfers included in their respective line-ups.
See link below for for full top 25 plus 5 list:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44800877/mens-college-basketball-top-25-rankings-transfer-portal-2025-2026
They gone do one a dem way too early polls too??
F 'em.
St. John's feels highly overrated at 3. Who's running the offense over there?
I'm excluding Hopkins from this as he only played 3 games...not a single guy in that projected starting lineup averaged over 1.6 APG last season and that was Zuby.
Gard always gets it done. If only Shaka coulda been more like him these last 4 years so Marquette could have had one fewer NCAAT appearance, one fewer NCAAT win and one fewer Sweet 16 advancement.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on April 23, 2025, 05:41:15 PMSt. John's feels highly overrated at 3. Who's running the offense over there?
I'm excluding Hopkins from this as he only played 3 games...not a single guy in that projected starting lineup averaged over 1.6 APG last season and that was Zuby.
MU's starting point guard, Kam, only averaged 2.4 per game the previous year. That's less than one assist a game.
St. John's added:
Hopkins, past BE first team. Yes, ACL, but if he is healed a tremendous addition
Mitchell, a former #4 ranked HS recruit
Jackson, a former #5 ranked HS recruit
Sanon, a top 25 HS recruit
Sellers, a starter at guard for Stanford
Suljanovic, 6ft 8 Austrian stud for the FIBU-18 team.
If MU had just added one of these players, this place would go nuts.
Pitino will add a few more role players and along with Zuby, will be the favorite for BE title and a contender for a National title.
Quote from: nyg on April 23, 2025, 07:15:18 PMMU's starting point guard, Kam, only averaged 2.4 per game the previous year. That's less than one assist a game.
St. John's added:
Hopkins, past BE first team. Yes, ACL, but if he is healed a tremendous addition
Mitchell, a former #4 ranked HS recruit
Jackson, a former #5 ranked HS recruit
Sanon, a top 25 HS recruit
Sellers, a starter at guard for Stanford
Suljanovic, 6ft 8 Austrian stud for the FIBU-18 team.
If MU had just added one of these players, this place would go nuts.
Pitino will add a few more role players and along with Zuby, will be the favorite for BE title and a contender for a National title.
All of that is fair.
Will be interesting to see what Pitino does with it.
Quote from: nyg on April 23, 2025, 07:15:18 PMMU's starting point guard, Kam, only averaged 2.4 per game the previous year. That's less than one assist a game.
St. John's added:
Hopkins, past BE first team. Yes, ACL, but if he is healed a tremendous addition
Mitchell, a former #4 ranked HS recruit
Jackson, a former #5 ranked HS recruit
Sanon, a top 25 HS recruit
Sellers, a starter at guard for Stanford
Suljanovic, 6ft 8 Austrian stud for the FIBU-18 team.
If MU had just added one of these players, this place would go nuts.
Pitino will add a few more role players and along with Zuby, will be the favorite for BE title and a contender for a National title.
All of these guys are worse than Kadary Richmond and RJ Luis. but go off
Quote from: jfp61 on April 23, 2025, 10:21:05 PMAll of these guys are worse than Kadary Richmond and RJ Luis. but go off
Yeah, you can't tout the newcomers without acknowledging the departures.
It will be interesting to see if the heavy transfer rosters pay off or kind of fizzle out like the one and done. At least the transfers have experience coming into the team.
Quote from: jfp61 on April 23, 2025, 10:21:05 PMAll of these guys are worse than Kadary Richmond and RJ Luis. but go off
Bryce Hopkins at even 90% is better than Richmond.
The big question mark is Jackson. He had a good but not great year at UNC, but he's unbelievably talented and trying to get him to SJ was supposedly Pitino's main priority as soon as he got there. He's better as a forward looking player than Luis was coming into this year. I think he's gonna be a big problem for the BE.
Quote from: Class71 on April 23, 2025, 03:35:10 PMESPN's way to early ranking summary for BE.
St. John's nationally ranked third, UConn sixth, Creighton twenty-six after most portal transfers included in their respective line-ups.
See link below for for full top 25 plus 5 list:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44800877/mens-college-basketball-top-25-rankings-transfer-portal-2025-2026
Hmmmm....The gap widens.
So they think. We will see. If MU is 100th in Ken Pom next year and they are in the bottom half of the league everyone will bitch and moan along with you. Let's give Shaka the benefit of the doubt. The die is cast. Big test for his way of doing things.
The die is cast!
Alea iacta est
Ah yes. Too hurried. Will fix.
Quote from: nyg on April 23, 2025, 07:15:18 PMMU's starting point guard, Kam, only averaged 2.4 per game the previous year. That's less than one assist a game.
St. John's added:
Hopkins, past BE first team. Yes, ACL, but if he is healed a tremendous addition
Mitchell, a former #4 ranked HS recruit
Jackson, a former #5 ranked HS recruit
Sanon, a top 25 HS recruit
Sellers, a starter at guard for Stanford
Suljanovic, 6ft 8 Austrian stud for the FIBU-18 team.
If MU had just added one of these players, this place would go nuts.
Pitino will add a few more role players and along with Zuby, will be the favorite for BE title and a contender for a National title.
Did any of those guys they added have proof of concept that they could be a very effective PG like Kam did when Tyler was hurt?
I also don't care what any of those transfers were ranked in high school.
I'm not saying they're not going to be very good. I'm saying they're not a top 5 team and if any of those guys is not able to run an offense that's a big problem.
I certainly wouldn't put them at the National Championship contender level, just like I didn't think they had a shot at even the Final 4 this past season.
Quote from: JWags85 on April 23, 2025, 11:01:18 PMBryce Hopkins at even 90% is better than Richmond.
The big question mark is Jackson. He had a good but not great year at UNC, but he's unbelievably talented and trying to get him to SJ was supposedly Pitino's main priority as soon as he got there. He's better as a forward looking player than Luis was coming into this year. I think he's gonna be a big problem for the BE.
you know they aren't done, right? Just because the Portal is closed doesn't mean rosters are set.
Quote from: JWags85 on April 23, 2025, 11:01:18 PMBryce Hopkins at even 90% is better than Richmond.
Defense doesn't matter...
Quote from: nyg on April 23, 2025, 07:15:18 PMMU's starting point guard, Kam, only averaged 2.4 per game the previous year. That's less than one assist a game.
St. John's added:
Hopkins, past BE first team. Yes, ACL, but if he is healed a tremendous addition
Mitchell, a former #4 ranked HS recruit
Jackson, a former #5 ranked HS recruit
Sanon, a top 25 HS recruit
Sellers, a starter at guard for Stanford
Suljanovic, 6ft 8 Austrian stud for the FIBU-18 team.
If MU had just added one of these players, this place would go nuts.
Pitino will add a few more role players and along with Zuby, will be the favorite for BE title and a contender for a National title.
LOL as long as Pitino doesn't break the controller for his PS5.
This isn't a basketball team roster, it's a video game roster. Poor defenders mixed with zero offensive creation. Pitino looked at what let them down last year (3P shooting) and overcorrected by getting rid of all the attributes that made them good (great D, multiple shot creators). They'll likely do well in non-con when their talent trumps no one else having team cohesion, then faceplant in Big East play and beyond.
Maybe Dylan Darling can save this roster. Maybe. If they don't get him, having 5 guys that are all shoot first players trying to go one-on-one for 40 minutes a night will be...interesting to say the least.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 24, 2025, 09:45:03 AMLOL as long as Pitino doesn't break the controller for his PS5.
This isn't a basketball team roster, it's a video game roster. Poor defenders mixed with zero offensive creation. Pitino looked at what let them down last year (3P shooting) and overcorrected by getting rid of all the attributes that made them good (great D, multiple shot creators). They'll likely do well in non-con when their talent trumps no one else having team cohesion, then faceplant in Big East play and beyond.
Maybe Dylan Darling can save this roster. Maybe. If they don't get him, having 5 guys that are all shoot first players trying to go one-on-one for 40 minutes a night will be...interesting to say the least.
I like the approach - they found some really good offensive talent.
They will be really good if pitino can get buy in on the defensive end which is something pitino gets just about every year.
Quote from: willie warrior on April 24, 2025, 05:22:55 AMHmmmm....The gap widens.
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQaeZobpgiXclUEjebTmdTsfjUvcSs3zgW-bSEwh7_JOUfXr4S5cEBCir9WdvrDTOaLEBVojVOQ6uSiEkLbqmVb4iXdmW5sXpe7v20FaYD3PawGiroQXBIbmulPpTb69dlrhgQavANC&usqp=CAc)
Quote from: panda2.0 on April 24, 2025, 10:05:26 AMI like the approach - they found some really good offensive talent.
They will be really good if pitino can get buy in on the defensive end which is something pitino gets just about every year.
Last year's offense worked because they had two really good shot creators that were also individual threats in Richmond and Smith, along with a BEPOY that was great at getting his own shot. Literally no one on the roster has had an assist rate of 10%. And they took a ton of defensive liabilities.
I'm not sure I've seen a team that fits together worse on paper. They put all their eggs in the Xayvion Lee basket and struck out.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 24, 2025, 09:45:03 AMLOL as long as Pitino doesn't break the controller for his PS5.
This isn't a basketball team roster, it's a video game roster. Poor defenders mixed with zero offensive creation. Pitino looked at what let them down last year (3P shooting) and overcorrected by getting rid of all the attributes that made them good (great D, multiple shot creators). They'll likely do well in non-con when their talent trumps no one else having team cohesion, then faceplant in Big East play and beyond.
Maybe Dylan Darling can save this roster. Maybe. If they don't get him, having 5 guys that are all shoot first players trying to go one-on-one for 40 minutes a night will be...interesting to say the least.
One of the rare times I disagree with you on your basketball posts.
Quote from: MU82 on April 23, 2025, 06:22:15 PMGard always gets it done. If only Shaka coulda been more like him these last 4 years so Marquette could have had one fewer NCAAT appearance, one fewer NCAAT win and one fewer Sweet 16 advancement.
Interesting pre-emptive Gard strikeout when no one had mentioned Gard in the thread. That being said - crazy that Gard / BADgers are now the team not developing players and Shaka / Marquette are the Bo Ryan develop strategy team. Quite the swap...
Quote from: PointWarrior on April 24, 2025, 02:38:38 PMInteresting pre-emptive Gard strikeout when no one had mentioned Gard in the thread. That being said - crazy that Gard / BADgers are now the team not developing players and Shaka / Marquette are the Bo Ryan develop strategy team. Quite the swap...
The article mentioned the Weasels, who are ranked in the Way Too Early poll.
And yes, now that you mention it, it is an interesting "swap." I can't stand Bo, but I admit I'd take the success he had in the middle part of last decade.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 24, 2025, 09:45:03 AMMaybe Dylan Darling can save this roster. Maybe. If they don't get him, having 5 guys that are all shoot first players trying to go one-on-one for 40 minutes a night will be...interesting to say the least.
Welp...
https://x.com/CBKReport/status/1915584452975116338?t=Yseciw_KjKaBcMvCL28SKg&s=19
That's quite a change going from bumf@ck Idaho to Queens.
SJU is going to be good. I don't really care how the roster fits. Pitino will get buy in.
I expect MU to be good too. And UConn. And Creighton. Those are the top four BE programs. No reason it'll change this year.
Quote from: barfolomew on April 24, 2025, 11:58:22 AM(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQaeZobpgiXclUEjebTmdTsfjUvcSs3zgW-bSEwh7_JOUfXr4S5cEBCir9WdvrDTOaLEBVojVOQ6uSiEkLbqmVb4iXdmW5sXpe7v20FaYD3PawGiroQXBIbmulPpTb69dlrhgQavANC&usqp=CAc)
Yes, an all time classic. Does not change that the gap is widening. And you know it.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on April 24, 2025, 08:57:40 PMWelp...
https://x.com/CBKReport/status/1915584452975116338?t=Yseciw_KjKaBcMvCL28SKg&s=19
It'll be interesting to see how he does. He was originally a Washington State player in the Pac-12, so the thought would be he has high-major ability, but he was awful at Wazzu as a freshman. If he's good and can play 25-30 mpg for St. John's, I think it radically changes their ceiling. I still think Parish having them at #2 is too high, but top-10 seems about right. But if Darling is at SJU what he was at Wazzu, they'll just be okay.
Before Darling, I'd have considered them in that 20-25 range. Good, but not nearly as good as everyone is saying. He does move the needle.
Quote from: BM1090 on April 24, 2025, 10:52:39 PMSJU is going to be good. I don't really care how the roster fits. Pitino will get buy in.
I expect MU to be good too. And UConn. And Creighton. Those are the top four BE programs. No reason it'll change this year.
if MU is top 4 in the BE in 25/26, I'll happily buy you a case of High Life, or Lite...your choice.
Quote from: Viper on Today at 11:08:30 AMif MU is top 4 in the BE in 25/26, I'll happily buy you a case of High Life, or Lite...your choice.
Where do you think Marquette will finish next season? Behind which teams and why?
It was posted recently that MU is projected to have the 4th best talent in the Big East.
Quote from: Viper on Today at 11:08:30 AMif MU is top 4 in the BE in 25/26, I'll happily buy you a case of High Life, or Lite...your choice.
Any bet with that as a prize, I would intentionally lose.
SilverWarrior on the dodds board is as numbers oriented as JB, but with a different bent and toward different ends. He posted recently that 85 players from last season in the Big East either exhausted their eligibility or are seeking new homes. MU has 4. That means 81 for the other 10 teams.
Yesterday, he went through team by team and posted projected rosters at this point. I read those and felt even better about MU.
Quote from: MU82 on Today at 11:14:45 AMWhere do you think Marquette will finish next season? Behind which teams and why?
imo and based on what I saw from MU Jan-March, returning talent, lack of a go-to guy, and new infusion to this point ... Marq will be in the 5-8 mix. Behind (in no particular order) CU, StJ, UConn, Gtown, although I expect The Count to win it again. Marq is safely ahead of SH, P and But. Most likely a battle w/ X, V, DeP. 6th feels about right. NIT bid. As I said prior, will 🎉 being wrong.
Quote from: Viper on Today at 01:11:28 PMimo and based on what I saw from MU Jan-March, returning talent, lack of a go-to guy, and new infusion to this point ... Marq will be in the 5-8 mix. Behind (in no particular order) CU, StJ, UConn, Gtown, although I expect The Count to win it again. Marq is safely ahead of SH, P and But. Most likely a battle w/ X, V, DeP. 6th feels about right. NIT bid. As I said prior, will 🎉 being wrong.
Georgetown?
Quote from: The Sultan on Today at 01:14:51 PMGeorgetown?
If we're behind Gtown and battling with DePaul in the standings then it's time to question Shaka.
Butler will be better than DePaul.
Quote from: Viper on Today at 11:08:30 AMif MU is top 4 in the BE in 25/26, I'll happily buy you a case of High Life, or Lite...your choice.
I'm good but you can donate to a charity I like or we can bet something better.
I have Marquette at 10 in the Bug East next year, just ahead of Seton Hall. Georgetown will definitely be a top-4 team. Cooley gets it done
Injuries to Kam, Damarius, Stevie, Chase, Ben. I am of the opinion that the November/December version of MU is closer to a true measure than the beat up, hobbled version that finished the season.
I like the returnees and am growing increasingly optimistic.
Quote from: tower912 on Today at 02:08:04 PMInjuries to Kam, Damarius, Stevie, Chase, Ben. I am of the opinion that the November/December version of MU is closer to a true measure than the beat up, hobbled version that finished the season.
I like the returnees and am growing increasingly optimistic.
It's the Lord's Day. You shouldn't be drunk
It is the Lord's day. I rarely drink. This is all me.
Quote from: tower912 on Today at 02:11:32 PMIt is the Lord's day. Trying to spread joy and love of my neighbor.
I don't know what Bible you read but that's not in there anywhere
Quote from: Viper on Today at 01:11:28 PMimo and based on what I saw from MU Jan-March, returning talent, lack of a go-to guy, and new infusion to this point ... Marq will be in the 5-8 mix. Behind (in no particular order) CU, StJ, UConn, Gtown, although I expect The Count to win it again. Marq is safely ahead of SH, P and But. Most likely a battle w/ X, V, DeP. 6th feels about right. NIT bid. As I said prior, will 🎉 being wrong.
Thanks for the response.
I'm confident that you'll get to 🎉 because you're gonna be wrong about Marquette finishing behind Georgetown and about us being in a "battle" with X and DePaul. Villanova might be sneaky dangerous, but they've lost a lot, too.
You're bummed about the way the season finished (as am I), so it looks like you have not taken into account the likely improvement of several of our players or the major personnel losses the rest of the conference sustained.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on Today at 01:19:02 PMIf we're behind Gtown and battling with DePaul in the standings
We won't be.
Quote from: MU82 on Today at 03:08:28 PMThanks for the response.
I'm confident that you'll get to 🎉 because you're gonna be wrong about Marquette finishing behind Georgetown and about us being in a "battle" with X and DePaul. Villanova might be sneaky dangerous, but they've lost a lot, too.
You're bummed about the way the season finished (as am I), so it looks like you have not taken into account the likely improvement of several of our players or the major personnel losses the rest of the conference sustained.
We won't be.
Correct. DePaul and Georgetown are better than Marquette.
Quote from: BM1090 on Today at 01:41:41 PMI'm good but you can donate to a charity I like or we can bet something better.
I'm not a MU lawyer or dentist... living well above my means in lake country with fast cars and a big boat. But I'll gladly donate $50 to your charity of choice if MU finishes 4th or better. Direct message me next March.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 24, 2025, 09:45:03 AMLOL as long as Pitino doesn't break the controller for his PS5.
This isn't a basketball team roster, it's a video game roster. Poor defenders mixed with zero offensive creation. Pitino looked at what let them down last year (3P shooting) and overcorrected by getting rid of all the attributes that made them good (great D, multiple shot creators). They'll likely do well in non-con when their talent trumps no one else having team cohesion, then faceplant in Big East play and beyond.
Maybe Dylan Darling can save this roster. Maybe. If they don't get him, having 5 guys that are all shoot first players trying to go one-on-one for 40 minutes a night will be...interesting to say the least.
Probably just playing the odds. I have 5-guys on the court that any one of them, if not all of them, can go off for a big game. Can your offense produce more points than my offense? Probably not.
Quote from: NCMUFan on Today at 06:48:40 PMProbably just playing the odds. I have 5-guys on the court that any one of them, if not all of them, can go off for a big game. Can your offense produce more points than my offense? Probably not.
Or just constructing another team w sh1tty offense. As a reminder, last year their offense was trash. Iirc, worst kp adj off of all top 40 teams.
Quote from: NCMUFan on Today at 06:48:40 PMProbably just playing the odds. I have 5-guys on the court that any one of them, if not all of them, can go off for a big game. Can your offense produce more points than my offense? Probably not.
We'll see if any one of their players - let alone 5 of them - will hit shots against NCAAT-caliber competition.
I see us behind creighton, sju, nova and UConn.
I see us in a similar position to nova last year. Better than the bottom half but can't compete consistently with the top dogs. Very bubbly
Quote from: Viper on Today at 03:49:27 PMI'm not a MU...dentist
Certainly had me fooled.