Updated "Way too early rankings" (5/25)

[X-man]

There are three new rankings out today, updated because the NBA draft deadline has passed so rosters are better established for next season. Here are the rankings for Xavier and Big East teams. ESPN: Xavier (#17) with Villanova (#11), Seton Hall (#18), and Butler (#23). CBS: Xavier (#24) with Villanova (#8) and Butler (#18). Fox: Xavier (#9) with Villanova (#8) and Seton Hall (#17). FanRag (Rothstein): Xavier (#13) with Villanova (#5), Seton Hall (#18), and Providence ("on the cusp"). So it looks like 5 BE teams are getting early respect. Can't wait for the season to begin!

[xubrew]

I'm normally not a fan of Rothstein and think he is underrating Providence. With that being said, how in the hell is he the only one that's rating Providence at all? They were a tournament team, they won their last six regular season games, two of those wins were on the road, and four of them were against other tournament teams, and everyone is back. How nice that one person recognizes them as being "on the cusp."

Unless I'm missing something. Are any of their key players leaving??

[MuskieXU]

I'm normally not a fan of Rothstein and think he is underrating Providence. With that being said, how in the hell is he the only one that's rating Providence at all? They were a tournament team, they won their last six regular season games, two of those wins were on the road, and four of them were against other tournament teams, and everyone is back. How nice that one person recognizes them as being "on the cusp."

Unless I'm missing something. Are any of their key players leaving??

They finished the season 60th in Kenpom. Going from 60 to top 25 is a pretty big jump when youre starting essentially the same group. I think they'll be good but Top 25 is a bit of a stretch in my personal opinion.

[Ohionite_X]

Providence also brings in a very good recruiting class led by star PG prospect Makai Ashton-Langford. This is probably Ed Cooley's most well-rounded team since joining Providence.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I'm normally not a fan of Rothstein and think he is underrating Providence.

It's Rothstein. At some point he'll have every team in the country in his top 25 or "on the cusp".

[paulxu]

I'm definitely getting a palpable buzz on.

[MuskieXU]

It's Rothstein. At some point he'll have every team in the country in his top 25 or "on the cusp".

Would be more interested in his palpable buzz rankings.

[GIMMFD]

It's Rothstein. At some point he'll have every team in the country in his top 25 or "on the cusp".

He did get one thing right with putting us at 13, and FOX putting us at 9... I'd assume we start out somewhere between 8-15 at the start of the season, went to an Elite 8, key core returning, phenomenal recruiting class coming in? I just don't see how we aren't higher in some of these like CBS... I know we didn't have the greatest regular season, but shouldn't tournament performance come into play?

[MuskieXU]

He did get one thing right with putting us at 13, and FOX putting us at 9... I'd assume we start out somewhere between 8-15 at the start of the season, went to an Elite 8, key core returning, phenomenal recruiting class coming in? I just don't see how we aren't higher in some of these like CBS... I know we didn't have the greatest regular season, but shouldn't tournament performance come into play?

I think the tournament should come into play, but I think a lot of people are assuming since Jones and OMara played well a few games in March that they'll continue that play into next year. We still have some question marks with consistency on 3 of our positions. I think we have the potential to be top 15 or even top 10 by the end of the season but I dont necessarily think we'll be one of the 15 best teams in mid-November.

[BandAid]

He did get one thing right with putting us at 13, and FOX putting us at 9... I'd assume we start out somewhere between 8-15 at the start of the season, went to an Elite 8, key core returning, phenomenal recruiting class coming in? I just don't see how we aren't higher in some of these like CBS... I know we didn't have the greatest regular season, but shouldn't tournament performance come into play?

But we're losing Sumner, which is a totally new experience for the team.

I vote we install a sarcasm font.

[SemajParlor]

Will say this in the midst of the Rothstein hate thread, the New York guy got the Trevon scoop.

[surfxu]

Top 15 seems about "right". This team will be sick when Myles Davis comes back from suspension... (sarcasm font)

[GIMMFD]

Top 15 seems about "right". This team will be sick when Myles Davis comes back from suspension... (sarcasm font)

Still ended up making an Elite 8, not really sure what the circumstances from last season have to do with this season. We don't have anybody who's suspended (so far, please don't do anything stupid this off-season guys), or coming back from injury (once again knock on wood), last season we had to deal with Myles and Gates before we could get the chemistry down, this season barring no unseen circumstances they can start getting comfortable with each other in the beginning.

[muskiefan82]

So, what do we think the likely suspension will be for Trevon?

[GoMuskies]

So, what do we think the likely suspension will be for Trevon?

Surely he was smart enough to negotiate fully amnesty with Mack as a condition to taking his name out of the draft!

[MuskieXU]

So, what do we think the likely suspension will be for Trevon?

Probably a lot of running stairs and no suspension. I think college coaches are pretty well aware that players smoke in the offseason and really could care less.

[muskiefan82]

that would be the best answer. No suspension, just cardio.

[bobbiemcgee]

He would've got a speeding ticket here.

[blueblob06]

His penalty - he has to let JP cut a string off the net before him.

[xu82]

His penalty - he has to let JP cut a string off the net before him.

I'll sign up for THAT!

[jhelmes37]

His punishment should be writing on Mack's dry erase board 100x: "I will not speed with weed in the car."

That's his real issue. Getting caught.

[Snipe]

He did get one thing right with putting us at 13, and FOX putting us at 9... I'd assume we start out somewhere between 8-15 at the start of the season, went to an Elite 8, key core returning, phenomenal recruiting class coming in? I just don't see how we aren't higher in some of these like CBS... I know we didn't have the greatest regular season, but shouldn't tournament performance come into play?

I think you are correct.


I think the tournament should come into play, but I think a lot of people are assuming since Jones and OMara played well a few games in March that they'll continue that play into next year. We still have some question marks with consistency on 3 of our positions. I think we have the potential to be top 15 or even top 10 by the end of the season but I dont necessarily think we'll be one of the 15 best teams in mid-November.

I think you are incorrect. I think Mid-November is going to be great with 4 seniors on the squad and coming off an Elite 8.

We led just about every game last year. To say we had problems finishing is an understatement.

We lost 6 games in a row, and it was horrible. I get that.

But I think going through the whole thing is going to be a big benefit. And I do not expect a team with 4 seniors to start slow. If anything I would fear the opposite, that we start out ranked in the teens, win and make the Top 10, and then don't finish in the Top 10.

I don't think that is going to happen. I think this is a Top 10 team by the end of the year. But November should be all glory for us. It isn't like we don't have talent. It isn't like we don't have team leaders. It isn't like our core just forgot what got them to the Elite 8.

We will own November.

GIMMFD is correct, and once more he is a Great American.

The House of Snipe has spoken

[X-man]

I too believe top-15 is realistic, and top-10 isn't a huge stretch for this team. The blend of experience and incoming talent, along with what I expect will be senior leadership from Tre and JP, makes us very good right out of the gate next season. On paper at least, this is the deepest, most talented I have seen Xavier put on the floor in my 30+ years of watching Muskie basketball. Let's trust that there are no surprises this off-season. If the team is totally intact come fall, look for a very dangerous team both early and late next season.

[X-man]

Here's another poll, this one from NBC Sports: Xavier (#17) with Villanova (#9) and Seton Hall (#16).

[X-man]

And another one, this time from USAToday: Xavier (#12), with Villanova (#10), Seton Hall (#20), and Butler (#23).

[paulxu]

The days of sneaking up on people may be long gone.

[xukeith]

Jalen Reynolds did promise a F4 when commiting so maybe he will come back in his final year of eligibility.

[GIMMFD]

The days of sneaking up on people may be long gone.

Oh well, at least they know we're going to bust their asses in now. Saves all that upset talk ;)

[sirthought]

I much prefer the school having a known, respected program, than an unknown, underestimated program.