Coverage from Big East media day

       NEW YORK -- Big East media day was held this morning at Madison Square Garden. No big news to report, but there was some good discussion material. Most of it centers on the preseason coaches’ poll. This is a season where there is a lot of parity and things can be very close, but I found myself disagreeing with the coaches on a few teams by a couple of spots in the standings.

 

The results are as follows:

 

  1. Villanova
  2. West Virginia
  3. Connecticut
  4. Louisville
  5. Georgetown
  6. Syracuse
  7. Cincinnati
  8. Notre Dame
  9. Pitt
  10. Seton Hall
  11. St. John’s
  12. Marquette
  13. Providence
  14. South Florida
  15. Rutgers
  16. DePaul

 

Here are my thoughts:

 

How about Syracuse being picked sixth? I had the Orange pegged for No. 9 behind Pitt. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim lost three players early to the NBA, including point guard Jonny Flynn, the player who made the team go last season. He also lost Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf. Maybe I’m underestimating the players Boeheim brought in to replace those guys. One Big East official told me today that Wesley Johnson, the transfer from Iowa State who practiced with the Orange last season, is capable of being first-team all-Big East at the end of the season. At least Boeheim believes that. That could change things, Boeheim still has a very inexperienced squad.

 

I also think Cincinnati is kind of underrated at No. 7. Mick Cronin returns his point guard Deonta Vaughn (preseason all-conference) and forward Yancy Gates (all-rookie team after last season). Plus, he signed Lance Stephenson, the preseason rookie of the year and one of the highest-rated recruits in the country. I might be in the minority, but I have Cincinnati finishing in the top five. I know the Bearcats are a newcomer to the Big East hierarchy, so they have to prove it, but I think they can make some noise if Cronin can manage all of the egos on his team.

 

My dark horse is a lot of other people’s dark horse: Seton Hall. The Pirates were picked to finish 10th, but they might have the best offensive talent in the conference. Coach Bobby Gonzalez returns Jeremy Hazell, who averaged 22.7 points per game, and added a couple of transfers who should make an immediate impact. One of them is former Aliquippa star Herb Pope, who came east after one season at New Mexico State. As is the case with Cronin at Cincinnati, Gonzalez must be able to get enough shots for all of his stars. That’s not always easy and can cause problems if not handled right. But if he does find the right chemistry, the Pirates will be a team to be reckon with.

 

            Your thoughts?

 

Posted Oct 21 2009, 08:44 PM by Ray Fittipaldo
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Comments

3CsChickenRanch wrote re: Coverage from Big East media day
on Thu, Oct 22 2009 9:02 AM

Is Pitt at #9 a relection on Dixon's coaching and/or recruiting?  Maybe I am nuts (probably confirmed by marrying twice) but I think Pitt has athletes and though young, will be in the running all year and finish much higher.  IMHO of course.

Imma_Man_Im_40 wrote re: Coverage from Big East media day
on Thu, Oct 22 2009 12:35 PM

Some thoughts:  

1.  WVA at 2?  Really?  Based on what?  Don't see it.

2.  If Louisville finishes 4th, that'll mean Coach Pitino managed to keep his personal problems off the front page.  Good luck with that!

3.  Did Luke Harangody finally graduate?  Maybe so, he's gotta be almost 30 years old.  If yes, sez here Notre Dame won't finish higher than Pitt.

4.  Finally, an editorial comment:  unless one of the hoops schools ('Nova?) plans to upgrade to D-1 football soon, ala UConn, then Big East must make a tough decision in the next year or so to send one of them packin' to clear space add a 9th fooltball school.  Because ND isn't coming anytime soon.  Adios, DePaul?