ESPN's Way Too Early Poll

[Class71]

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

[Jay Bee]

They gone do one a dem way too early polls too??

[tower912]

F 'em.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

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. 

[MU82]

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.

[nyg]

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. 

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.

[MU82]

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.

All of that is fair.

Will be interesting to see what Pitino does with it.

[jfp61]

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.

All of these guys are worse than Kadary Richmond and RJ Luis. but go off

[cheebs09]

All 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.

[JWags85]

All 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.

[willie warrior]

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

Hmmmm....The gap widens.

[Shooter McGavin]

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.

[Hards Alumni]

The die is cast!


Alea iacta est

[Shooter McGavin]

Ah yes.  Too hurried.  Will fix.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

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.

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. 

[Billy Hoyle]

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.

you know they aren't done, right? Just because the Portal is closed doesn't mean rosters are set. 

[jfp61]

Bryce Hopkins at even 90% is better than Richmond. 

Defense doesn't matter...

[brewcity77]

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.

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.

[panda2.0]

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.

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.

[barfolomew]

Hmmmm....The gap widens.

[brewcity77]

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.

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.

[Jockey]

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.

One of the rare times I disagree with you on your basketball posts.

[PointWarrior]

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.

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...

[MU82]

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...

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.

[Billy Hoyle]

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.

Welp...

https://x.com/CBKReport/status/1915584452975116338?t=Yseciw_KjKaBcMvCL28SKg&s=19

[ATL MU Warrior]

That's quite a change going from bumf@ck Idaho to Queens.

[BM1090]

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.

[willie warrior]

Yes, an all time classic. Does not change that the gap is widening. And you know it.

[brewcity77]

Welp...

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.

[Viper]

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.

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.

[MU82]

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.

Where do you think Marquette will finish next season? Behind which teams and why?

[tower912]

It was posted recently that MU is projected to have the 4th best talent in the Big East.

[The Sultan]

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.

Any bet with that as a prize, I would intentionally lose.

[tower912]

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.

[Viper]

Where 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.

[The Sultan]

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.

Georgetown?

[Billy Hoyle]

Georgetown?

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.

[BM1090]

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.

I'm good but you can donate to a charity I like or we can bet something better.

[Uncle Rico]

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

[tower912]

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. 

[Uncle Rico]

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. 

It's the Lord's Day. You shouldn't be drunk

[tower912]

It is the Lord's day.  I rarely drink.   This is all me. 

[Uncle Rico]

It 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

[MU82]

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.

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.

If we're behind Gtown and battling with DePaul in the standings

We won't be.

[Uncle Rico]

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.

We won't be.

Correct.  DePaul and Georgetown are better than Marquette.

[Viper]

I'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.

[NCMUFan]

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.

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.

[Jay Bee]

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.

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.

[MU82]

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.

We'll see if any one of their players - let alone 5 of them - will hit shots against NCAAT-caliber competition.

[panda2.0]

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

[wadesworld]

I'm not a MU...dentist

Certainly had me fooled.

[BM1090]

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.

You got it and I'll gladly donate to yours if they finish 5th or below