2012-13 Big East Power Rankings

[EnderWiggen]

I hate to be that guy, but would someone be able to post this ESPN Insider article.  Just curious what we are projected to be.  I'm not gonna lie and say that my membership expired.... i'm a student and just too cheap for insider. (if this is against the board rules, just let me know!)

Thanks in advance!

[Nukem2]

MU at # 4 in ranking.  Says MU may have a no-name quality to it, but is talented and will scrap.

[EnderWiggen]

MU at # 4 in ranking.  Says MU may have a no-name quality to it, but is talented and will scrap.

Love it, thanks!!

[dgies9156]

Very appropriate for the coming year.

Vander is the key to everything. If he can run the offense and find an occasional shot, we will be terrific. Todd Mayo needs to come back to give us a real edge.

If Chris Otule stays healthy and is as strong as he was before his injury last year; if Davante is a beast and if our guards are the playmakers we think they can be, we will have something special/

But, if Todd does not come back, if Vander doesn't find a shot or if Chris is hobbled, this could be a looooonnnggg year.

I'm betting on the former and hope we're something really special this year!

[MattyWarrior]

Buzz Williams has built upon a culture of hard work,toughness and preparation and the program is going to be a contender
for as long as the Big East lasts. Returnees Vander Blue,Jamil Willson and Davante Gardner will provide a solid nuclues
and transfer Trent Lockett and frosh Steve Taylor will add quality depth. Marquette may have a no-name quality to its roster
but will scrap and fight its way to the upper division of the league. Bilas

[Marqus Howard]

Returnees Vander Blue,Jamil Willson and Davante Gardner will provide a solid nuclues
and transfer Trent Lockett and frosh Steve Taylor will add quality depth.

I think Junior is going to have a big year, too. Other than Siva, are there any Big East point guards better than Junior?

[MattyWarrior]

Most Important Player-Vander Blue
A team in the best sense of the word, MU won collectively instead of individually, and that was with Jae Crowder edging
out DJO for conference player of the year. Amid the collection of unheralted superstars was Blue, a gifted player who has the ability to shine and now, will have the opportunity as well..

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

I think Junior is going to have a big year, too. Other than Siva, are there any Big East point guards better than Junior?

Anthony Collins.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

I think Junior is going to have a big year, too. Other than Siva, are there any Big East point guards better than Junior?

Did you see the last five games of the year?

[strotty]

I think Junior is going to have a big year, too. Other than Siva, are there any Big East point guards better than Junior?

1. Siva
2. Council
3. Cadougan

..in my book.

[MuMark]

Eric Atkins is also better. IMO

[Dr. Blackheart]

While Junior is not a great shooter and he can be prone to turnovers, the fact is he really makes the team go, especially against a man defense in transition. With MU much bigger in the frontcourt, this will be a team built for Junior. Jamil, Taylor and Lockett can run the court and he is one of the best around at feedling the post. With TJ gone and Mayo in question, he really needs to work on his shot which he is doing or else MU will be zoned every game.  If Mayo returns and Jake can be that zone breaker in spots, MU can be very very good, and it will all start with Junior.

Back to Junior, say what you will about +/-, but over the course of a season it is very good measure of one's contribution.  The Roland rating, a +/-metric of +/- of a player when on and off the court, had Junior as #1 in the Big East last season and #6 nationally of all D1 players.  Who were some of those just ahead of him?: Anthony Davis and Teauge from Kentucky, Sullinger from tOSU. Jae was #13 nationally and #2 in the BE, with names like Lamb, Denom, English DeShaun Thomas in between the two Warriors.

This team will be more built for the half court game than last year's, but the ability to run is still in place. And, Junior makes it happen like few others. The kid is a winner.

http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/stats/roland?season=2011-2012

[bilsu]

Junior struggles against teams that fill the passing lanes when they press him and force him to pass the ball. There are very few teams that can do this.

[Dreadman24]

Im a huge MU fan just like everyone on this board is. With that said, Junior is prolly the 8th best point guard in the big east.

[Dreadman24]

Im a huge MU fan just like everyone on this board is. With that said, Junior is prolly the 8th best point guard in the big east.

Yes im a Junior hater.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I like him in transition.

His defense is better than I thought.

His 1/2 court effectiveness is limited. He lacks a consistent jumper, which allows players to back off, which limits Junior's ability to get in the lane.

The ability to knock down shots would force defenses to close out on him and would open up a world of opportunity for him. Give Junior 1/2 step on a guy, and he creates very well.

Junior and Vander are similar in this aspect: An improvement in shooting could lead to all-conf. type performances.

Tough to do, but not impossible (Acker).

[frozena pizza]

I'm really hoping Junior has a breakthrough season and takes charge for his senior year the way Acker did.  He has been excellent at times but needs to perform at a higher level on a more consistent basis - he clearly has the ability.

[GGGG]

Im a huge MU fan just like everyone on this board is. With that said, Junior is prolly the 8th best point guard in the big east.

I am sorry but that is ridiculous.  Junior does what Buzz wants his point guards to do....press the action...get into the lane.  This type of play is going to result in some turnovers, but by and large he is the engine that gets MU going.

[GGGG]

Jamil is the most important player next year.  He really has to step up and do some of the interior things that Jae did last year.  He needs to rebound more consistently...create more offense on the inside, etc.  We have been strong at that position since Buzz has gotten here, and we can't be weak now.

If Mayo returns, I am honestly not concerned about our backcourt depth.  I fully anticipate that Lockett will essentially make up for the loss of DJO.  He's got the body and the game.  (The TJ Taylor loss will be felt down the road...like next year.)

But having a player like Lazar, JFB and Jae on the front line is what this team needs and Jamil has to be that guy.

[Bocephys]

I am sorry but that is ridiculous.  Junior does what Buzz wants his point guards to do....press the action...get into the lane.  This type of play is going to result in some turnovers, but by and large he is the engine that gets MU going.

Weird that everyone can come on here and bash Junior, but say anything bad about Buycks and people freak out...

Our offense is so much better with Junior in the game it's not even funny.  He may have a game or two a year where things do not go well, but everything else he brings to the table more than counteracts it.

[Dreadman24]

It is what it is

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I fully anticipate that Lockett will essentially make up for the loss of DJO.  He's got the body and the game.  (The TJ Taylor loss will be felt down the road...like next year.)

I hope you are right. I like Lockett's offensive efficiency numbers, but DJO was such a high-volume-high production type of player.

I hope Lockett's offensive usage can increase without a big drop in efficiency/effectiveness.

MU plays at a higher pace than ASU, so it's conceivable Lockett's volume could increase and still be effective.

He'll have to take 5 more shots per game in 2 less minutes played to equal DJO's usage.

I'm sure the stat guys will have more comparisons as we get closer to the season.

[GGGG]

I hope you are right. I like Lockett's offensive efficiency numbers, but DJO was such a high-volume-high production type of player.

I hope Lockett's offensive usage can increase without a big drop in efficiency/effectiveness.

MU plays at a higher pace than ASU, so it's conceivable Lockett's volume could increase and still be effective.

He'll have to take 5 more shots per game in 2 less minutes played to equal DJO's usage.

I'm sure the stat guys will have more comparisons as we get closer to the season.

These are very, very valid points...and obviously my opinion wasn't as well researched as it should have been.

Put it this way...I think we will get the production out of the backcourt that we need.  Whether or not Lockett is a perfect replacement I don't know.  But with his experience, AND another year of experience from Mayo and Blue, I am not as worried about replacing DJO as much as I am about replacing Jae.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

These are very, very valid points...and obviously my opinion wasn't as well researched as it should have been.

Put it this way...I think we will get the production out of the backcourt that we need.  Whether or not Lockett is a perfect replacement I don't know.  But with his experience, AND another year of experience from Mayo and Blue, I am not as worried about replacing DJO as much as I am about replacing Jae.

I agree. I think Lockett + other guards improvement can compensate for the loss of DJO. I think they have enough guys to take shots, the question is: Can they take/make enough 3pters?

Compensating for Jae is going to have to come from a healthy Otule and improved Jamil and Gardner. Not inconceivable, but none of them have defensive instincts/shooting ability of Jae.

They have to find some offensive production to replace all of Jae's 3's. I don't think we can just plug Jamil in and give him a lot of those shots. Maybe some high-low action with Jamil and Gardner? I was impressed with Jamil's passing when I saw him in scrimmages.

EDIT:
Not to keep harping on this but in DJO and Jae, MU loses 138-377 on 3pt FG. That's 37 fg%, which isn't elite, but when you consider the sheer volume (more than 10 3pt attempts per game!), it might be tough for MU to find that amount of scoring from deep.

You can replace those shots 2pters, but MU will have to shoot 3's well enough to keep defenses spread and prevent a packed in 2-3 zone.

[bilsu]

This will be a totally different team. Our scoring will come from the frontline, where we have the potential to have four double figure scorers (Gardner, Wilson, Lockett and Taylor). At this point I am assuming Mayo is gone or at least so far behind the 8 ball, he will not contribute in November anyways. Due to injuries Anderson and Otule effectiveness for our November 9 game schedule is also questionable. I believe Blue will start at the two and he may actually excel there. I think he is more suited for playing the two than the three. I believe it will be easier for him to drive and create from the two ( like McNeal, who did not have a consistant three point shot until his senior year). He also will have an easier time defensively. Our starting guards and D. Wilson are not three point shooters, but Wilson, Lockett, Taylor and even Gardner can shoot the three so it will be interesting how teams try to defend us. You will see Thomas, if the other team puts to much emphasis on packing in the lane. Weaker outside shooting can be minimized by being a strong offensive rebounding team and offensive rebounding might be the key to this being a great team.