Conference Predictions- 2015

[james notsirhc 0]

Can Xavier place in the top 3 next year? I see Villanova as the preseason favorites but the rest of the conference is up for grabs. We lost a lot this offseason, but others teams did as well. Feel free to share your Big East Preseason rankings. Here's mine...
1) Nova
2)Georgetown
3)Xavier
4) Marquette
5) St. Johns

[bobbiemcgee]

I like Providence over Marquette. Think Marquette could be like Butler last year after losing their coach. Not impressed by Lavin's coaching. Maybe the battle of the best recruiting classes, who plays and impresses right away. I think Butler gets back to it. They have a nice starting group and will surprise. Really hard to predict, but I think X will be strong and could be top 2. Depends on the 3 point shooters.

Nova
X
G'Town
Providence
Butler/SHU

[throwbackmuskie]

Villanova
Xavier
Georgetown
Providence
Seton Hall
Marquette
St. John's
Creighton
Butler
DePaul

[BandAid]

Nova
Providence
GTown
Seton Hall
Xavier
Marquette
Butler
Creighton
St. John's
DePuke

I have no rationale

[Olsingledigit]

Not sure that Creighton will fall that far. Like X they always seem to be in the mix no matter how much they have lost from the prior season.

[GoMuskies]

Not sure that Creighton will fall that far. Like X they always seem to be in the mix no matter how much they have lost from the prior season.

I wouldn't be surprised if Creighton is last. I have no confidence in McDermott to do anything other than sire stud basketball players. Since he doesn't have any of those left, I think Creighton is going to sink.

[james notsirhc 0]

I wouldn't be surprised if Creighton is last. I have no confidence in McDermott to do anything other than sire stud basketball players. Since he doesn't have any of those left, I think Creighton is going to sink.

Yeah not only did they lose McBuckets but their PG and Wragge, they'll be pretty bad.

[PMI]

I expect Georgetown to definitely be back to a top team in the conference. Villanova will be very good again. I expect Xavier to be right there at the top again. After that it's hard to guess I think. I see a lot of people picking Seton Hall in their top half. Don't they lose like 100 seniors? I know they have a good class coming in, but I'm not ready to believe in that program until I see something. Marquette is a huge question mark and I'm not really sure what to make of them. There's no way Creighton doesn't take a big step back for obvious reasons. With Butler I still question Brandon Miller as a head coach and I think Dunham is a very overrated player, but I can't see them being as bad as they were last year. DePaul is going to be DePaul again. St. John's should be good on paper but last I checked, Steve Lavin is still their head coach. I think Providence should be pretty good because I think they're well coached and I think they have a good class coming in. I guess they would be my early favorite outside the top 3.

My shot in the dark guess:

1. Villanova
2. Xavier
3. Georgetown

4. Providence
5. St. John's
6. Butler
7. Marquette
8. Seton Hall
9. Creighton

10. DePaul

Overall, I hate to say it but I think we're looking at another year with 3 or 4 good to solid teams and then a lot of mediocrity after that, with DePaul being awful as usual. Hopefully someone can step up and surprise.

[Olsingledigit]

I agree with Providence being right there. I like their coach a lot. He seems to be not only a good coach but a good recruiter also.

[hoyahooligan]

1. Nova

2. Georgetown
3. Providence
4. Xavier (had Xavier 3rd before the loss of Martin)

5. Seton Hall
6. St. John's
7.Butler

8. Creighton
9. Marquette
10. DePaul

PMI: Seton Hall only loses 4 Seniors but one wasn't much of a factor only Edwin and Teague are big losses. And returns the rest of their players. They were all good players so it definitely hurts but they return 3 starters.

[waggy]

The thing that would keep me from picking Marquette real low is the Burton kid. He's a one man wrecking crew.

[Milhouse]

He had a good game against us to end the season but really that was his best game of the year....

[PMI]

I really don't think the loss of Martin is going to have much of an effect on the win/loss record at all. He turned into a good player for most of conference play, but I'm with Mack and the staff in that his overall impact on the program is very replaceable. I don't think we miss a beat in that regard. The biggest key will be Dee's play at the point and the further development of Reynolds IMO. The freshmen will be freshmen, with Blueitt being a ready scorer. With Stainbrook and Reynolds in the front court, I fully expect Xavier to be right back up in the top 3 of what is going to be a questionable conference again. I think in two years we will really see the league take a big step forward as some of these great classes get a year under their belts and some of the current young stars become upperclassmen.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I really don't think the loss of Martin is going to have much of an effect on the win/loss record at all. He turned into a good player for most of conference play, but I'm with Mack and the staff in that his overall impact on the program is very replaceable. I don't think we miss a beat in that regard. The biggest key will be Dee's play at the point and the further development of Reynolds IMO. The freshmen will be freshmen, with Blueitt being a ready scorer. With Stainbrook and Reynolds in the front court, I fully expect Xavier to be right back up in the top 3 of what is going to be a questionable conference again. I think in two years we will really see the league take a big step forward as some of these great classes get a year under their belts and some of the current young stars become upperclassmen.

Where did they say that?

I think the Martin loss is a big blow. A proven, although a somewhat inconsistent, player, a senior, and a guys that could play some good offense and defense. Now we will be relying more on freshman and underclassmen. It moves everyone up the depth chart one which hurts depth as well. I think you are downplaying the loss of Martin.

[PMI]

Where did they say that?

I think the Martin loss is a big blow. A proven, although a somewhat inconsistent, player, a senior, and a guys that could play some good offense and defense. Now we will be relying more on freshman and underclassmen. It moves everyone up the depth chart one which hurts depth as well. I think you are downplaying the loss of Martin.

Have you heard Mack's "subtle" comments? He was essentially not asked to come back to Xavier next year. I agree he turned into a solid player, but I don't think I'm downplaying the loss at all. The program wanted to move on from him for multiple reasons and I agree with them. Trevon Blueitt is a freshman, but he's not your average freshman. He might lead our team in scoring as a first year player and will be one of the most impactful freshmen in the conference. The other thing is, Martin was most effective at the 4 in my opinion. Rebounding is by far his most underrated strength and he is never going to develop even an average handle for a 3, or be able to defend quicker wings too well. I think it's better to have Blueitt and Reynolds starting than a guy who has had a somewhat troubled and inconsistent career at Xavier. There were reasons for Martin's inconsistency and it frustrated the staff to no end, to the point where they decided to move on. I agree with Mack on this one.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Have you heard Mack's "subtle" comments? He was essentially not asked to come back to Xavier next year. I agree he turned into a solid player, but I don't think I'm downplaying the loss at all. The program wanted to move on from him for multiple reasons and I agree with them. Trevon Blueitt is a freshman, but he's not your average freshman. He might lead our team in scoring as a first year player and will be one of the most impactful freshmen in the conference. The other thing is, Martin was most effective at the 4 in my opinion. Rebounding is by far his most underrated strength and he is never going to develop even an average handle for a 3, or be able to defend quicker wings too well. I think it's better to have Blueitt and Reynolds starting than a guy who has had a somewhat troubled and inconsistent career at Xavier. I agree with Mack on this one.

I think you are assuming a lot to say we are better off without him and then say you agree with Mack as that was Mack's thoughts. I saw Macks comments and I did not take them even close to the same way you are taking them. I did not come away with the thought that he "was essentially not asked to come back".

I think Mack's comments were more of a reflection of his thoughts after Justin already decided to transfer as opposed to his thoughts before and forcing Martin to transfer. Granted I dont know that for sure but you dont know your opinion for sure either. I just really dont think Mack saying that he wants guys who are committed to Xavier, after Justin obviously showed he wasnt by moving on, as the same thing as him meaning that while Justin was here his heart wasnt in it.

He could essentially say the same thing about Semaj's heart not being in it because he wants to be in the NBA, doesnt mean it wasnt while he was here.

[PMI]

I think you are assuming a lot to say we are better off without him and then say you agree with Mack as that was Mack's thoughts. I saw Macks comments and I did not take them even close to the same way you are taking them. I did not come away with the thought that he "was essentially not asked to come back".

I think Mack's comments were more of a reflection of his thoughts after Justin already decided to transfer as opposed to his thoughts before and forcing Martin to transfer. Granted I dont know that for sure but you dont know your opinion for sure either. I just really dont think Mack saying that he wants guys who are committed to Xavier, after Justin obviously showed he wasnt by moving on, as the same thing as him meaning that while Justin was here his heart wasnt in it.

He could essentially say the same thing about Semaj's heart not being in it because he wants to be in the NBA, doesnt mean it wasnt while he was here.

But he didn't say the same about Semaj. You don't have to be that connected to the program to know about Justin Martin's issues, and the issues the coaching staff has had with him for years. I can promise you my opinion is based on plenty of substance rather than assumption, and I'm not just dogging the kid. The staff did not welcome him back like they would have with Semaj. Justin Martin absolutely drove the coaching staff nuts, believe me. I'm not saying his production will be seamlessly replaced over night, but I think it's a net gain to lose his influence with so many talented young guys coming in, much in the same way Lyons "decided to leave" in time for Semaj to get to campus. It's certainly possible that he could've had a very strong senior year for us on the court, but the staff was weighing that reward versus the risks, like they did with Lyons, and made a decision. Of course we will lose something in a double digit scorer, but I think it will be a net gain for the locker room and the team overall.

[XU2011]

Have you heard Mack's "subtle" comments? He was essentially not asked to come back to Xavier next year. .

The past 1.5 months have shown Mack wants a change of scenery, to put it lightly. Strongly considering the Wake and more so the Cal jobs really didn't make a whole lot of sense other than wanting to get out of Xavier.

If he's here for just another year, maybe 2, there is NO WAY he asks one of his top two returning scorers not to come back. No way. Mack needs to have a strong season next year for his own career opportunities. Missing the NCAA isn't gonna get it done. Not having Justin Martin's scoring (and sometimes defense) next year is going to hurt on the court and hurt pretty significantly.

[throwbackmuskie]

The past 1.5 months have shown Mack wants a change of scenery, to put it lightly. Strongly considering the Wake and more so the Cal jobs really didn't make a whole lot of sense other than wanting to get out of Xavier.

If he's here for just another year, maybe 2, there is NO WAY he asks one of his top two returning scorers not to come back. No way. Mack needs to have a strong season next year for his own career opportunities. Missing the NCAA isn't gonna get it done. Not having Justin Martin's scoring (and sometimes defense) next year is going to hurt on the court and hurt pretty significantly.

If he was the one pursing the jobs I might agree with you. However, those schools contacted him. I have said it many times, Mack is not going anywhere. And with the news of he and his wife expecting, I think that just goes to sure up him staying here.

I think Martin hurts for the short term,1st half of next season, but I think in the long run, it is the best thing for all. I thought going into this past season Martin would leave. I think the talent upgrade is going to be huge.

[Masterofreality]

Remy Abell > Justin Martin.

[PMI]

The past 1.5 months have shown Mack wants a change of scenery, to put it lightly. Strongly considering the Wake and more so the Cal jobs really didn't make a whole lot of sense other than wanting to get out of Xavier.

If he's here for just another year, maybe 2, there is NO WAY he asks one of his top two returning scorers not to come back. No way. Mack needs to have a strong season next year for his own career opportunities. Missing the NCAA isn't gonna get it done. Not having Justin Martin's scoring (and sometimes defense) next year is going to hurt on the court and hurt pretty significantly.

That's a fine theory, but it isn't correct. Look, I'm not going to beat this to death, and you guys don't have to believe me, but it's the absolute truth that the staff did not want Justin Martin back next year. I think you vastly overestimate the significance of losing his scoring. Between Abell, Blueitt, and maybe another guy like Macura, it will be a net gain, not a loss. Martin was basically good during the majority of regular season conference play, and that's it. He is not nearly as irreplaceable as you make it out to be. It's not like losing Crawford or Holloway. It's closer to losing a decent role player like we do every single year. Hell, it isn't even remotely the biggest loss from this year's team, obviously.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Didn't Mack said pretty clearly that Martin's heart was not with the team? If that's the case, why force him to stay.

[hoyahooligan]

I just think a starting line up of: D. Davis, Abell, Blueitt, Martin, and Stainbrook is better than the alternative. I think it'd be pretty clear Martin would be the starting PF if he had returned. At the very best it's one less talented player. I don't think he was such a cancer that his presence would hurt the team.

[PMI]

I just think a starting line up of: D. Davis, Abell, Blueitt, Martin, and Stainbrook is better than the alternative. I think it'd be pretty clear Martin would be the starting PF if he had returned. At the very best it's one less talented player. I don't think he was such a cancer that his presence would hurt the team.

I'm not saying I would hate to have him on the roster from a playing standpoint, but I'd rather have Jalen Reynolds start at PF and develop into the monster he's going to become. I wouldn't call him a cancer either but he absolutely wore out his welcome with the coaches and now is the right time for the separation. It might cause us to be slightly less experienced early on in the season, but in my opinion it will pay off in the long run.

[XUFan09]

Jalen would have made a great Sixth Man if Martin was still on the team, so his development probably wouldn't have been hindered at all. Instead, we have a little less depth and the first guy off the bench is unclear at this point. Still, if Martin's heart wasn't really with the team, that's far more tolerable when he is a junior than when he is a senior, just as Lyons' asshole behavior was far more tolerable when he was a junior than when he was a senior.

[BandAid]

If Martin would've stayed I imagined the lineup would be: D. Davis, Abell, Martin, Reynolds, Stainbrook

Not the aforementioned: D. Davis, Bluiett, Abell, Martin, Stainbrook.

I know Bluiett is going to be a stud, but I would rather rather have Reynolds at the 4 as a sophomore over Bluiett starting as a freshman.

[XUFan09]

If Martin would've stayed I imagined the lineup would be: D. Davis, Abell, Martin, Reynolds, Stainbrook

Not the aforementioned: D. Davis, Bluiett, Abell, Martin, Stainbrook.

I know Bluiett is going to be a stud, but I would rather rather have Reynolds at the 4 as a sophomore over Bluiett starting as a freshman.

Blueitt and Reynolds' minutes probably would not have been different between starting and not starting, so the question would have been more about psychology. Bluiett is very used to starting by default, whereas Reynolds is used to coming off the bench (He even did at Brewster), so Reynolds would probably have been a better choice coming off the bench.

[Olsingledigit]

Didn't Mack said pretty clearly that Martin's heart was not with the team? If that's the case, why force him to stay.
Yes hue did and it is not good to have someone who is not all in.

[PMI]

Jalen would have made a great Sixth Man if Martin was still on the team, so his development probably wouldn't have been hindered at all. Instead, we have a little less depth and the first guy off the bench is unclear at this point. Still, if Martin's heart wasn't really with the team, that's far more tolerable when he is a junior than when he is a senior, just as Lyons' asshole behavior was far more tolerable when he was a junior than when he was a senior.

I agree with you, but to add to that, Martin's "heart not being in it" was a really sugar coated explanation of his "mutual separation" from the program. We certainly do want good senior leadership, particularly in a year with so many new, young faces. I don't think there's a question that Mack did not expect Martin to be able to give that, and it goes beyond a little laziness.

[hoyahooligan]

It obviously can be done, but I think Reynolds needs to be the back up Center for Stainbrook, so if I was coaching I'd prefer him coming off the bench. Sure you can start him at PF and just slide him over to center when Stainbrook goes out, but I just prefer having the back up center come off the bench and I think he's the most capable of backing up the center position since freshman big men tend to come along slowly. Not sure how ready from prime time London or O'Mara are and Farr seems like more of a PF and less of an inside presence like Reynolds. But then again I don't know your team as well as you guys do.

[XUFan09]

It obviously can be done, but I think Reynolds needs to be the back up Center for Stainbrook, so if I was coaching I'd prefer him coming off the bench. Sure you can start him at PF and just slide him over to center when Stainbrook goes out, but I just prefer having the back up center come off the bench and I think he's the most capable of backing up the center position since freshman big men tend to come along slowly. Not sure how ready from prime time London or O'Mara are and Farr seems like more of a PF and less of an inside presence like Reynolds. But then again I don't know your team as well as you guys do.

Farr is definitely a 5, just one that can shoot the 3. He is much better there than at the 4, especially on defense. This next season, Xavier will actually run 3 deep at the 5, when you include O'Mara. How much time Reynolds also spends there will depend a lot on how much time Farr demands.

Xavier is actually not as deep at the 4, now that Martin is gone. Only Reynolds and London are 4s, and like you said, freshman big men tend to come along slowly, and since London is also pretty raw. That leaves only Reynolds as a proven entity. To shore up that position and to put the best lineup on the court, we'll probably also see Bluiett at the 4 with some 3-guard lineups.