Big East 2024 Offseason

[Tyler COLEk]

Why you being so COLE? I would expect better from you.

[Its DJOver]

MU and UConn had two common non conference opponents. MU went 2-0 with 2 blow out wins. UConn went 1-1 with a close win and a close loss. MU won the series last year and returns more. Suggesting that MU is not the conference favorite is COLE. The fact that you can’t see that means you are COLE to the core. I would expect better from you.

[El Guerrero 2]

It both simultaneously sucks and is awesome that we have to wait until February to see these two teams match up. Those are going to be some incredibly intense games down the stretch run.

I think we have the edge right now, mostly because Oso is better than Clingan and I don't think they have anyone who can guard Tyler. The big question is whether Castle turns into a real player as the season goes along. If Castle can be a threat alongside Newton and Spencer, they'll be a monster.

[Herman Cain]

Excellent win for U Conn. Looking forward to the opportunity to beat them.

[nyg]

Hurley has done a great job filling out his roster this year and has helped out the team immensely.  Just a different approach than Shaka, who of course only lost one key player.

UCONN lost Hawkins, Sanogo and Alleyne, all key participants in last years run.  Hurley filled out the roster through the portal with addition of Spencer, who is going for 16 ppg and 45% from three.  He also is playing two freshman, Castle and Ball, who get about 20 minutes each per game and big man Johnson, who hardly played at all last year, is giving Clingnan some breaks in each half. 

Shaka didn't make a portal move, probably believing Joplin could take the Omax role and Ross take the last year's version of Joplin role.  MU's freshman, well mainly Norman, basically don't play over three minutes a game. 

Looking forward to BE play and the matchups between UCONN, Creighton, Providence and even Nova playing out. 

[Uncle Rico]

Hurley has done a great job filling out his roster this year and has helped out the team immensely.  Just a different approach than Shaka, who of course only lost one key player.

UCONN lost Hawkins, Sanogo and Alleyne, all key participants in last years run.  Hurley filled out the roster through the portal with addition of Spencer, who is going for 16 ppg and 45% from three.  He also is playing two freshman, Castle and Ball, who get about 20 minutes each per game and big man Johnson, who hardly played at all last year, is giving Clingnan some breaks in each half. 

Shaka didn't make a portal move, probably believing Joplin could take the Omax role and Ross take the last year's version of Joplin role.  MU's freshman, well mainly Norman, basically don't play over three minutes a game. 

Looking forward to BE play and the matchups between UCONN, Creighton, Providence and even Nova playing out.

The Danny Hurley discourse here the last few years always bemused me.  Dude can build rosters and coach.  He did great work at Rhode Island, a place where bad basketball is a way of life much more often than not.  As long as he is at UConn, they will be a force.

[nyg]

The Danny Hurley discourse here the last few years always bemused me.  Dude can build rosters and coach.  He did great work at Rhode Island, a place where bad basketball is a way of life much more often than not.  As long as he is at UConn, they will be a force.

That's one reason brought it up after watching UCONN a few times.  Just a different philosophy than Shaka in roster rebuilding and after three significant player losses from an NCAA Championship, they are right back in the mix.  Not a criticism of Shaka in any sense, he appears to be a player development type of coach, not an immediate impact player roster filler.  That may be a good thing for each year down the road, see how it works out next year when MU has probable significant players gone.  But this year, UCONN going to be a handful and can't wait for MU first matchup. 

[MuggsyB]

It both simultaneously sucks and is awesome that we have to wait until February to see these two teams match up. Those are going to be some incredibly intense games down the stretch run.

I think we have the edge right now, mostly because Oso is better than Clingan and I don't think they have anyone who can guard Tyler. The big question is whether Castle turns into a real player as the season goes along. If Castle can be a threat alongside Newton and Spencer, they'll be a monster.

I'm not sure we have the edge but it's a great match-up with contrasting styles.  We have to turn them over (and get more possessions that way) because they're an excellent rebounding team.  Newton has also played incredible basketball through the non-conf.  The guy that really worries me is Caraban because he can go inside and out.  He's really tough to defend, especially on switches. 

If UCONN makes threes no one is beating them.  That said if we take care of the ball, and win the turns battle significantly, we can absolutely take them out.   If our guards play like the best backcourt in America we can punk them for sure.  But truthfully I think their ceiling is higher and they have a big advantage on the glass and defensively overall. 

[Uncle Rico]

That's one reason brought it up after watching UCONN a few times.  Just a different philosophy than Shaka in roster rebuilding and after three significant player losses from an NCAA Championship, they are right back in the mix.  Not a criticism of Shaka in any sense, he appears to be a player development type of coach, not an immediate impact player roster filler.  That may be a good thing for each year down the road, see how it works out next year when MU has probable significant players gone.  But this year, UCONN going to be a handful and can't wait for MU first matchup.

My hunch is, Shaka is flexible in roster construction but wants to develop first.  The guys Hurley brought in as transfers aren’t guys we’d tag as burger boys but solid college basketball players who have become studs at UConn.

Like you mentioned in your original post, Hurley is also getting minutes to Samson Johnson, a guy we could call developmental.

If Shaka gets a five star type to Marquette, they’ll play as frosh.  My hunch here is he’ll get a few of these sooner than later

[BCHoopster]

He may need a point guard next year, not sold on Norman yet and Jones is to small.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Shaka didn't make a portal move, probably believing Joplin could take the Omax role and Ross take the last year's version of Joplin role.  MU's freshman, well mainly Norman, basically don't play over three minutes a game. 

If TKO, Oso, and Kam all leave after this year, I'd bet Shaka looks to the portal for some senior leadership, just as he did his first year.

[Johnny B]

Hurley has done a great job filling out his roster this year and has helped out the team immensely.  Just a different approach than Shaka, who of course only lost one key player.

UCONN lost Hawkins, Sanogo and Alleyne, all key participants in last years run.  Hurley filled out the roster through the portal with addition of Spencer, who is going for 16 ppg and 45% from three.  He also is playing two freshman, Castle and Ball, who get about 20 minutes each per game and big man Johnson, who hardly played at all last year, is giving Clingnan some breaks in each half. 

Shaka didn't make a portal move, probably believing Joplin could take the Omax role and Ross take the last year's version of Joplin role.  MU's freshman, well mainly Norman, basically don't play over three minutes a game. 

Looking forward to BE play and the matchups between UCONN, Creighton, Providence and even Nova playing out.

Don’t forget they also lost A jax. On the bucks now

[Dr. Blackheart]

He may need a point guard next year, not sold on Norman yet and Jones is to small.

You forgot Stevie

[MU82]

The Danny Hurley discourse here the last few years always bemused me.  Dude can build rosters and coach.  He did great work at Rhode Island, a place where bad basketball is a way of life much more often than not.  As long as he is at UConn, they will be a force.

Well, you're as good as your record. And truth is that in his first four seasons as a P6 head coach, his record was very Wojo-like.

Doesn't mean he couldn't coach. He simply didn't win enough to merit all the accolades thrown his way. Obviously, in Year 5, he turned UConn back into a powerhouse, and he's built an enviable program.

And he's even become a little likable because of all the nice things he's said about Marquette - which truly pisses me off!

[tower912]

He is a good coach.   He won a nattie, he has a team that can potentially go back to back.   He seems to be doing it in a way I can respect.    He admires and appreciated the Big East.     Yes, he is an annoying little jag during games and has a face and demeanor that just begs to be punched.     All of these things can be true.   

[Uncle Rico]

Well, you're as good as your record. And truth is that in his first four seasons as a P6 head coach, his record was very Wojo-like.

Doesn't mean he couldn't coach. He simply didn't win enough to merit all the accolades thrown his way. Obviously, in Year 5, he turned UConn back into a powerhouse, and he's built an enviable program.

And he's even become a little likable because of all the nice things he's said about Marquette - which truly pisses me off!

About that, I’d look at why his record was the way it was and his time at Rhode Island.

Like Shaka, he was building towards something great and sustainable.

We’ll have this discourse with Cooley at G’Town as well, I’ll wager.  Growing pains, but if successful, sustainable greatness

[Uncle Rico]

He is a good coach.   He won a nattie, he has a team that can potentially go back to back.   He seems to be doing it in a way I can respect.    He admires and appreciated the Big East.     Yes, he is an annoying little jag during games and has a face and demeanor that just begs to be punched.     All of these things can be true.   

When I say discourse, I meant more coaching ability versus likability.  There was a lot of chatter about him as a coach and not being a good one.

[tower912]

Please list the coaches that do NOT have ongoing discussions about their coaching ability.     In history.   

[Uncle Rico]

Please list the coaches that do NOT have ongoing discussions about their coaching ability.     In history.

Tex Winter

[Herman Cain]

Hoyas need to get their act together in second half at South Bend

[Herman Cain]

Solid win for English Enterprises over Sacred Heart. Seems like no games a given this year.

[BCHoopster]

You forgot Stevie

Kam has a better chance to play point then Stevie but would like to bring in a transfer which he should of this year to compete against Jop, mistake

[PointWarrior]

As solid as MU’s win over the Tommies

Solid win for English Enterprises over Sacred Heart. Seems like no games a given this year.

[Mu8891]

“ solid win “ over Sacred Heart ??

That’s a ridiculous statement

[HowardsWorld]

“ solid win “ over Sacred Heart ??

That’s a ridiculous statement

Dude says that after every win for any big east team wins