Who will win the Big East?

[bobbiemcgee]

With the Marquette implosion, who do you like to win the Big East? Seems to me X, Seton Hall and of course 'Nova seem to be the frontrunners now.

[D-West & PO-Z]

X, Nova, Seton Hall, or Marquette. I think Marquette will still be pretty good, just not top 10 good. Powell obviously has to come back for Seton Hall.

I think BE can legit get 7 teams in tourney next year. For sure 6.

[scoscox]

I think Marquette will still be pretty good, just not top 10 good.

i'm thinking they'll fall harder than that. The hausers were hugely important to that team. I don’t think they have any shot at winning the big east next year without them

I think it’s a three horse race between x, nova and seton hall with creighton and Providence nipping closely behind the heels of the top 3.

[bjf123]

We’re returning what, 6 or 7 scholarship players? That means we’ll be relying on freshman A LOT, depending on any incoming grad transfers. It’s a great freshman class, but they’ll still be freshmen. We might struggle a bit early on.


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[XU3232]

We’re returning what, 6 or 7 scholarship players? That means we’ll be relying on freshman A LOT, depending on any incoming grad transfers. It’s a great freshman class, but they’ll still be freshmen. We might struggle a bit early on.


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We return 4 starters from last years team and bring in a proven player/starter in Jason Carter. Those 5 guys will be the core of the team and a few of the freshmen just need to be solid role players. I have a feeling we will get one more grad transfer too.

[bjf123]

I keep forgetting about Carter. I’m thinking Tyrique, Naji, Paul, Q, and Dontarius, plus the one who had to sit for a year whose name escapes me. Depending on how well the frosh adapt to D1, it could be a short bench again.


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[Xuperman]

We’re returning what, 6 or 7 scholarship players? That means we’ll be relying on freshman A LOT, depending on any incoming grad transfers. It’s a great freshman class, but they’ll still be freshmen. We might struggle a bit early on.

Out of all the BE teams Xavier will be the least likely to struggle. Looks like will start 2 seniors and 3 juniors, 4 of which will receive All BE consideration. These guys are going to gobble up a lot of minutes but Coach Steele has to integrate the freshman early and often. Plus who knows what James and Hanson will add to the mix.

As far as predicting the conference champs, my darkhorse is G-Town.....those 3 freshman are now sophs and they can flat out ball. Yurtseven will be a nightmare for all who cross his path and I am predicting Pickett to breakout in a big way.

[bleedXblue]

I think that we should be in the top 3-4 teams again.

.......If we keep all of our guys and no one leaves. KyKy is going to help right away. I would expect Dahmir to help some as well as Freemantle.

Miles is a long shot to even play next year and Ramsey I have no idea.

Carter is going to help right away.......

Would be surprised if we don't get a solid grad transfer and another frosh.

[Xville]

Villanova will be the favorite and they should be.

Gilespie
Bey
Cosby roundtree
Samuels
Swider

And they have two mc d all americans who will contribute right away as well as another top 50 recruit.

While x has a good recruiting class, nova is in a different "league" right now.

Nova has three returning starters and a better recruiting class, I regrettably pick them...again

I will say that where x has an advantage is that our core 4 will be in their second year of being primary scoring options...bey and Samuels will be adjusting to that role.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Villanova will be the favorite and they should be.

Gilespie
Bey
Cosby roundtree
Samuels
Swider

And they have two mc d all americans who will contribute right away as well as another top 50 recruit.

While x has a good recruiting class, nova is in a different "league" right now.

Nova has three returning starters and a better recruiting class, I regrettably pick them...again

I will say that where x has an advantage is that our core 4 will be in their second year of being primary scoring options...bey and Samuels will be adjusting to that role.

Yeah I think Nova should be favored. However, their McDonald's AA from last year was a total bust for them. Lets hope at least 1 for next year is too!

[scoscox]

Villanova will be the favorite and they should be.

Gilespie
Bey
Cosby roundtree
Samuels
Swider

And they have two mc d all americans who will contribute right away as well as another top 50 recruit.

While x has a good recruiting class, nova is in a different "league" right now.

Nova has three returning starters and a better recruiting class, I regrettably pick them...again

I will say that where x has an advantage is that our core 4 will be in their second year of being primary scoring options...bey and Samuels will be adjusting to that role.

Nova will be the favorite but they have plenty of question marks. They were so reliant on booth and Paschall last year. I’m not impressed by anyone they have coming back. Like us, even more so, they’ll be banking on freshmen to be really impactful.

[Xuperman]

Villanova will be the favorite and they should be.

Gilespie
Bey
Cosby roundtree
Samuels
Swider

I just don’t see it. What am I missing here? None of those 5 have proven to be better than ANY of our core 4. Yes, their incoming freshman are tops in conference for sure. The two 5 stars will certainly come out smokin’ hot and Eric Dixon at 6’7” 270 is a carbon copy of Eric Paschall. However, I see no logical reason to put Nova above X. They lost their 2 best players/LEADERS and I don’t see anyone in that group to emerge as a clear cut “leader”. BUT....they do have Jay Wright, which is nice.

[bobbiemcgee]

I agree. Replacing Boothe and Paschall will be a tall order. They killed us.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I put Nova there by default until they show otherwise. They lost 4 players to the NBA from two years ago and still won the BE this past year. Jay Wright also is heads and shoulders above any other coach in the conference so that gives them a boost as well.

[bleedXblue]

I just don’t see it. What am I missing here? None of those 5 have proven to be better than ANY of our core 4. Yes, their incoming freshman are tops in conference for sure. The two 5 stars will certainly come out smokin’ hot and Eric Dixon at 6’7” 270 is a carbon copy of Eric Paschall. However, I see no logical reason to put Nova above X. They lost their 2 best players/LEADERS and I don’t see anyone in that group to emerge as a clear cut “leader”. BUT....they do have Jay Wright, which is nice.

Agreed that the returning players are not of the caliber that Nova normally has. I think they will be tough, but very beatable.......

[noteggs]

I put Nova there by default until they show otherwise. They lost 4 players to the NBA from two years ago and still won the BE this past year. Jay Wright also is heads and shoulders above any other coach in the conference so that gives them a boost as well.

Points 1 and 3 are spot on. Point 2 is obviously true but can’t say this was a great feat (not suggesting you did) with the down BE year, still having two first team players, and with the most talented team in league has Wojo as their HC. That 2018 was truly loaded and it will be interesting to see how the role players respond. As we witnessed, could have some serious growing pains.

[X-Expert]

I don’t see any way you can put X over Nova. Yes they lose booth and paschal but have a great recruiting class and have a couple stretch bigs like bey and samuels. Also the player who was hurt most of last year. X lost their most consistent player In Hankins and best 3 point shooter in Welage. A lot is being expected of Tandy and Bishop (and our new grad transfer) to provide outside shooting so that is an unknown. Seton hall and Creighton May finish ahead of X as well because they will be talented.

[scoscox]

I don’t see any way you can put X over Nova. Yes they lose booth and paschal but have a great recruiting class and have a couple stretch bigs like bey and samuels. Also the player who was hurt most of last year. X lost their most consistent player In Hankins and best 3 point shooter in Welage. A lot is being expected of Tandy and Bishop (and our new grad transfer) to provide outside shooting so that is an unknown. Seton hall and Creighton May finish ahead of X as well because they will be talented.

I think you can have the top 4 teams in basically any order and have it be a reasonable projection

[X-Men55]

I don’t see any way you can put X over Nova. Yes they lose booth and paschal but have a great recruiting class and have a couple stretch bigs like bey and samuels. Also the player who was hurt most of last year. X lost their most consistent player In Hankins and best 3 point shooter in Welage. A lot is being expected of Tandy and Bishop (and our new grad transfer) to provide outside shooting so that is an unknown. Seton hall and Creighton May finish ahead of X as well because they will be talented.

I think you're underselling X a tad bit. Expectations for Tandy and Bishop are where they are based on their ability. They won't be the primary options, thus taking immense pressure from them. Carter and Moore are proven in the college game and have done quite well, so I will take that over inexperienced (granted elite Nova class) players in Nova. I think the chemistry of X will be the difference maker. That being said it's a there's a few real good teams who can win the BE.

[X-Expert]

Understood a and dont misunderstand, i think X will be improved. However losing hankins on both ends will be huge. He and Scruggs were the only offense against Nova in BE tourney and with Jones' foul issues that is going to be an impact. Unless X brings in another 5, they will play small a lot next year. Problem there is that X was able to have an advantage over Nova and many in BE because of their bigs. Also, if Tandy and Bishop aren't primary options (at least from the outside), this will not be a good outside shooting team again, i hope i'm wrong as X will definitely be better but I believe Nova will too. Roundtree, Samuels, And Bey alone is very strong-not to mention Swider. I hope Moore does well but coming off an ACL he is an unknown. I remember Darnell Williams was not the same player after coming back so who knows. Big East top 4 will be decent and better than the top 4 last year, Of course, I think St Johns and Depaul will struggle.

[Xuperman]

I don’t see any way you can put X over Nova. Yes they lose booth and paschal but have a great recruiting class and have a couple stretch bigs like bey and samuels. Also the player who was hurt most of last year. X lost their most consistent player In Hankins and best 3 point shooter in Welage. A lot is being expected of Tandy and Bishop (and our new grad transfer) to provide outside shooting so that is an unknown. Seton hall and Creighton May finish ahead of X as well because they will be talented.

Don't see any way? Thanks for trolling. There is not much going on, so you hooked me. Bey? Samuels? They combined for less than Naj alone. They lose their TOP 2 and we RETURN our TOP FOUR. We split with them regular season and they needed OT for the W post season. We're LOADED with experience and they're not, Come back with a more coherent theory.

[Lloyd Braun]

What if Goodin or Scruggs doesn’t come back? Some younger guys will need to step up and that changes this whole discussion. I’m not saying it’s more likely one goes pro but its not a 100% that both will be back. For reference, Kaiser made public his decision to leave in the first week of May last year. And there are new rules in place that can allow a player to wait until the end of May to return if they’ve declared. All it takes is an agent in the ear and greener pastures...

[X-Expert]

Don't see any way? Thanks for trolling. There is not much going on, so you hooked me. Bey? Samuels? They combined for less than Naj alone. They lose their TOP 2 and we RETURN our TOP FOUR. We split with them regular season and they needed OT for the W post season. We're LOADED with experience and they're not, Come back with a more coherent theory.

Xuperman i really hope i'm wrong. But to your point, X is returning their top four players -true but two of these players (Marshall and Goodin) were the 2nd last and 3rd last based on offensive efficiency. Marshall shot less than 30% from 3 and Goodin just a shade over. All year i read people complaining (and rightfully so) about their issues with shooting, b-ball IQ, and shot selection. They were #1 and #2 in 3 point attempts while being the worse shooters. Scruggs absolutely had a breakout yearend hopefully he continues his evolution. Jones has spurts where he looks great and also disappears-especially offensively. Jones was the 2nd best big on the team last year (Hankins was better except in rebounding). Remember X was still 19-16 who certainly showed the ability to beat Nova and lose to everyone in conference except St Johns which shows their inconsistency. So yes X returns their top 4 but frankly, they need to improve. X is tough to figure out. They were bad during their 6 game losing streak and so good during the winning streak. As for Bey and Samuels combining for less than Marshall, i would suggest you check the stats before posting and follow your own advice with a coherent theory. Marshall shot 27% from 3 and averaged a little over 14 points per game as the #1 option as he will likely be again next year. Bey/Samuels as the 4th and 5th option combined averaging over 15 points per game. Bey shot 37% from 3 while Samuels shot just under 35%. Again, i hope i'm wrong as i absolutely believe X will be closer to Nova than in years past but while more inexperienced, they will be loaded with talent with aforementioned, Cole Swider, and their two 5 star recruits. So that is why i believe Nova should be ahead of X.

[Xuperman]

They lost a lot and we didn’t. Not much more needs to be said. Outside of Gillespie, what do they have? Basically nothing but potential. Samuels and Bey look like they can play but they will have to be way more productive to scare anybody. You pretty much know what DCR will bring and Swider was a statistical non-factor. If he doesn’t step it up big time the freshmen will overtake him. I just don’t see how that group can beat us 2 of 3 again or for that matter, win more games in conference.

[Xuperman]

Bey averaged 8.2 and Samuels 6.4 per.....Marshall averaged 14.7.

[94GRAD]

Bey averaged 8.2 and Samuels 6.4 per.....Marshall averaged 14.7.

Bey and Samuels had those averages because Villanova had better scoring options on their team, Marshall averaged that because X didn't. I'm willing to wager 1 beer that their averages will go up(because there aren't as good scoring options) and Naji's will go down(because there will be more scorers on the team).

With all that said, because of the loss of their talent and the retention and addition of ours, I believe we will challenge them and the rest of the league for the title next year.

[scoscox]

Bey and Samuels had those averages because Villanova had better scoring options on their team, Marshall averaged that because X didn't. I'm willing to wager 1 beer that their averages will go up(because there aren't as good scoring options) and Naji's will go down(because there will be more scorers on the team).

With all that said, because of the loss of their talent and the retention and addition of ours, I believe we will challenge them and the rest of the league for the title next year.

Nova was desperate for scoring options last year outside of their main two guys. They’d have taken more production if those guys could’ve provided it.

[Xuperman]

Nova was desperate for scoring options last year outside of their main two guys. They’d have taken more production if those guys could’ve provided it.

This might be the most spot on observation that's been posted this off season. They will struggle until someone emerges as a reliable go to scorer. I say it's even odds it ends up being one of the freshman. Let's keep in mind that they are losing more production than we did with the Tre-JP departures, along with the leadership aspects. That can not be taken lightly because it really hurt us and it should cause similar problems for them. In fact, I think X was much better off to start the season than they will be personnel wise, but the new HC element is not there obviously. It looks like they will be as good as their freshman will take them. Kinda like a mini version of what UK has to deal with every year.

I'll take that bet on Marshall. His scoring will go up as I predict he will attempt roughly the same amount of FG's and FT's but his percentages will improve nicely. Will stop in to collect next March.

[xukeith]

I remember Skip Prosser's 2nd X team with Brown, Lumpkin and Williams all as frosh. That team at time showed spark but couldn't do much. The following year, they were tons better as sophomores and juniors/seniors got experience.

I am optimistic bout returners. The 5 frosh will probably produce 2 players earning 15+ minutes in pt. The 2-3 fosh not getting pt will transfer or be a TON better in 2020-2021. You can't play everyone.

[bleedXblue]

I like our team if everyone returns. Carter should help right away and so should Moore . Frosh will likely produce 2-3 players that will play and contribute. I like KyKy's chances to get really good minutes the most. Post help is a concern for Jones. On paper Nova and X should be 1-2. Steele has a year under his belt and I think will get this team gelled faster than last year.......

[94GRAD]

This might be the most spot on observation that's been posted this off season. They will struggle until someone emerges as a reliable go to scorer. I say it's even odds it ends up being one of the freshman. Let's keep in mind that they are losing more production than we did with the Tre-JP departures, along with the leadership aspects. That can not be taken lightly because it really hurt us and it should cause similar problems for them. In fact, I think X was much better off to start the season than they will be personnel wise, but the new HC element is not there obviously. It looks like they will be as good as their freshman will take them. Kinda like a mini version of what UK has to deal with every year.

I'll take that bet on Marshall. His scoring will go up as I predict he will attempt roughly the same amount of FG's and FT's but his percentages will improve nicely. Will stop in to collect next March.

I will be happy to lose that bet!

[X-Expert]

They lost a lot and we didn’t. Not much more needs to be said. Outside of Gillespie, what do they have? Basically nothing but potential. Samuels and Bey look like they can play but they will have to be way more productive to scare anybody. You pretty much know what DCR will bring and Swider was a statistical non-factor. If he doesn’t step it up big time the freshmen will overtake him. I just don’t see how that group can beat us 2 of 3 again or for that matter, win more games in conference.

All valid points and respect your opinion here. As I said I hope that the main 4 improve from last year in basketball IQ, shot selection, etc. with more scoring options, it may happen. If they do I can certainly see X making a run in BE. I do however see it as a 5 team race-nova, X, SHU, Marquette, and creighton

[bobbiemcgee]

All valid points and respect your opinion here. As I said I hope that the main 4 improve from last year in basketball IQ, shot selection...….

and substantially improve their ft%'s.

[surfxu]

and substantially improve their ft%'s.

That should help with their leadership... I hear.

[UCGRAD4X]

That should help with their leadership... I hear.

The correlation is, apparently, very high. If the freshman coming in are efficient from the line, they will instantly be in a leadership position.

[webxu]

I think G town will be tough

[Xuperman]

I think G town will be tough

And you will be right.....XU, SHU, GU and then the rest.

[scoscox]

Georgetown just finished 100th in kenpom. They’re not going to improve that much. I think they’ll be a bubble team

[Xuperman]

Georgetown just finished 100th in kenpom. They’re not going to improve that much. I think they’ll be a bubble team

Didn't they have 3 All Freshman guys? Akinjo is already the best true point in the league. Leblanc should be the best rebounding SF this year. McClung is just electric AND...Wait for it.....Yurtseven has cometh!

[IM4X]

Well let's see here... Marquette was the clear BE favorite.

Oh what a difference a day (with the news your second and third best players have decided to transfer) makes.

https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2019/4/11/18305962/marquette-golden-eagles-basketball-way-too-early-preseason-projections-rankings

Marquette fans are feeling more than just a little bit sick in their stomach after the Hauser brothers have decided to transfer and many (if not most) are very displeased with WOJO, believing he allowed this all to happen.

So much can happen in a blink of an eye to change a team's entire outlook. Let's hope all of our core 4 players are coming back more determined than ever to up their game and win the BE... and then take the team (and university) to new heights.

[noteggs]

.Yurtseven has cometh!

Can’t believe Georgetown has 3 legit size freshman centers coming in along with Yurtseven. Strange recruitment. I know Govan is leaving, but still.

[Xuperman]

Talk about legit size, Derrick Smit chooses Butler as predicted. That adds one more 7' guy to the BEast. SHU recently added another one to go with Gill. Gonna be tough to deal with them with our 6'8" centers, pending Miles being ready of course.

[JTG]

Talk about legit size, Derrick Smit chooses Butler as predicted. That adds one more 7' guy to the BEast. SHU recently added another one to go with Gill. Gonna be tough to deal with them with our 6'8" centers, pending Miles being ready of course.

Smits is a big upgrade from Brunk.

[JTG]

Talk about legit size, Derrick Smit chooses Butler as predicted. That adds one more 7' guy to the BEast. SHU recently added another one to go with Gill. Gonna be tough to deal with them with our 6'8" centers, pending Miles being ready of course.

Smits is a big upgrade from Brunk.

[xufan02]

Talk about legit size, Derrick Smit chooses Butler as predicted. That adds one more 7' guy to the BEast. SHU recently added another one to go with Gill. Gonna be tough to deal with them with our 6'8" centers, pending Miles being ready of course.

I don't think Smits can handle Tyrique's physicality and athleticism. It goes both ways.

[Olsingledigit]

Wish we could get this draft crap over so we know if we are losing anyone.

[xukeith]

Wish we could get this draft crap over so we know if we are losing anyone.

Losing kaiser Gates last year was a shocker but I hope and bet this year everyone returns to the team. No worries, mate!

[Lloyd Braun]

What if Goodin or Scruggs doesn’t come back? Some younger guys will need to step up and that changes this whole discussion. I’m not saying it’s more likely one goes pro but its not a 100% that both will be back. For reference, Kaiser made public his decision to leave in the first week of May last year. And there are new rules in place that can allow a player to wait until the end of May to return if they’ve declared. All it takes is an agent in the ear and greener pastures...

Well it’s May 6, and Scruggs is currently with agent Neal Rosenshein (who has a lot of connections in Europe). He is actively working out for NBA teams. Does this sound like someone who will be back next year? Isn’t Paul 21?

[GoMuskies]

Man, that would be a punch to the gut. Scruggs is by far the one I would miss most if he goes.

[Xville]

Yep he is 21. Selfishly, of course I want him back, but I cant blame the guy if he leaves. I do think that fans need to open their eyes and realize that at most we will have Paul and naji for one more year. These are guys that if not the nba, are going to be playing in the top leagues in Europe. Why wait to make six figures? Play the young man's game, make your money, then come back and get the degree and start your second career.

[Xuperman]

Man, that would be a punch to the gut. Scruggs is by far the one I would miss most if he goes.

If we happen to lose 1 of our core 4, it would not prevent X from challenging for a BEC. Fortunately our incoming class is so talented and diverse, we could effectively use a frosh replacement at any position except maybe the 5. Lose Jones and there could be trouble....lose 2 of the 4 and it gets a bit gloomy.

[noteggs]

Scruggs is by far the one I would miss most if he goes.

Think NBA scouts agree with your assessment and for what it’s worth so do I.

[bleedXblue]

Yep he is 21. Selfishly, of course I want him back, but I cant blame the guy if he leaves. I do think that fans need to open their eyes and realize that at most we will have Paul and naji for one more year. These are guys that if not the nba, are going to be playing in the top leagues in Europe. Why wait to make six figures? Play the young man's game, make your money, then come back and get the degree and start your second career.

I think most peoples eyes are open...........just look at Gates last year...not even remotely ready to play at the next level and he left.

I'm fully expecting to lose 1 of the remaining 3 guys. Wouldn't shock me to see 2 go.

[Lloyd Braun]

So do you think Kaiser would have developed his game more at Xavier as a student-athlete this past year instead of the Windy City Bulls? If it was his desire to play in the NBA then leaving early was his best route. Whether he has the talent to play in the league is a different debate.

[sirthought]

So do you think Kaiser would have developed his game more at Xavier as a student-athlete this past year instead of the Windy City Bulls? If it was his desire to play in the NBA then leaving early was his best route. Whether he has the talent to play in the league is a different debate.

It's not just about your game. It's everything that you experience in college that develops you as a person. You can't take that for granted. And yes, lots of opportunity to come back and get a degree. But that won't be the same experience or opportunity to meet the people you meet and discover things as a young adult. On the court, I think Gates could have finally broken out as a player we were hoping for all along, and that confidence he'd gain and the chance to be out front would be something unique for him.

Some players do have more to gain by leaving early. Some it's probably greater opportunity lost.

[xudash]

It's not just about your game. It's everything that you experience in college that develops you as a person. You can't take that for granted. And yes, lots of opportunity to come back and get a degree. But that won't be the same experience or opportunity to meet the people you meet and discover things as a young adult. On the court, I think Gates could have finally broken out as a player we were hoping for all along, and that confidence he'd gain and the chance to be out front would be something unique for him.

Some players do have more to gain by leaving early. Some it's probably greater opportunity lost.

Well stated. To each their own. It would be interesting to interview players about 10 years down the road from when they left "early" to see if they would do it all the same again or opt for the stick around option.

[bobbiemcgee]

Somewhat OT but wonder who we send to the PanAM games? Big East against the world!

https://sports.yahoo.com/big-east-represent-team-usa-2019-pan-am-223411656--ncaab.html

Lively discussion on HLOH

Also, doesn't this have a conflict with our Spain trip?

[muskiefan82]

I didn't realize 5 of the 10 Big East teams are on Europe trips this summer. That is actually kind of cool

[Lloyd Braun]

It's not just about your game. It's everything that you experience in college that develops you as a person. You can't take that for granted. And yes, lots of opportunity to come back and get a degree. But that won't be the same experience or opportunity to meet the people you meet and discover things as a young adult. On the court, I think Gates could have finally broken out as a player we were hoping for all along, and that confidence he'd gain and the chance to be out front would be something unique for him.

Some players do have more to gain by leaving early. Some it's probably greater opportunity lost.

I guess I just disagree that a year of the entire Xavier Experience would have made Kaiser better at basketball. As an individual? Sure that’s possible but that is not the debate. I was responding to Kaiser not being “NBA ready”.


Well stated. To each their own. It would be interesting to interview players about 10 years down the road from when they left "early" to see if they would do it all the same again or opt for the stick around option.

Same question to those that stuck around and could have left early to make more money.

[xudash]

I guess I just disagree that a year of the entire Xavier Experience would have made Kaiser better at basketball. As an individual? Sure that’s possible but that is not the debate. I was responding to Kaiser not being “NBA ready”.



Same question to those that stuck around and could have left early to make more money.

Touche.

So, ask both groups separately. I would love to gain some insights into this issue. That IS life, right? Hindsight always is 20/20.

[bleedXblue]

So do you think Kaiser would have developed his game more at Xavier as a student-athlete this past year instead of the Windy City Bulls? If it was his desire to play in the NBA then leaving early was his best route. Whether he has the talent to play in the league is a different debate.

I'm not sure what your questions really is....

My point is that guys leave early for various reasons and sometimes they make no sense at all. At no point did Gates exhibit during Xavier tenure a talent level that would have suggested he could even develop into a NBA player. Extremely inconsistent. No ability to put the ball on the floor. Not an especially strong defender and not a great rebounder. He could get hot from 3 and that was basically it. But, I guess if you want to leave early to "develop you game" you can. Could he have improved at Xavier.....sure, but not enough to really make a difference either way IMHO.

Some kids want the college experience.......some kids don't care. Personally, I get the degree and then go play in Europe or give the D league a shot. That's just me. Rarely do you see guys that don't get drafted in the first 2 rounds actually make an NBA roster for an extended period of time.