SJU or UConn
- Thread starter Halldan
- Start date
Uconn. More continuity with their returning players from last year. Karaban, Ball, Reed, Stewart, Ross.
Uconn and I think comfortably. Because of roster continuity. Also I think UConn’s pieces fit better. Demary isn’t a true PG but I think Danny and Co believe he can become a Triston Newton type lead guard. And they have Malachi to stabilize that spot off the bench, who is a true PG. Add them to perhaps the best 2 in the league in Ball, a solid 5 man in Reed (who maybe goes up a level), the young talent they brought in the door, Stewart who can also play the 3, and Karaban as the time glue guy/winning player at the 4 spot. And I think Karaban shoots it better this year.
Pitino is great but it will take time IMO for that team to gel. He took a projected 5th place team last season to both the conference and tourney titles, pretty comfortably, but I think this will be a scenario where SJU isn’t as good in the regular season but is an even better and more dangerous team come NCAA time. They won’t surpass their prowess last year during the regular season - not surprising because it’s hard to only lose 2 games all year in the league and win 30+ — but will be more suited to make a big NCAA run IMO.
Both coaches did a great job for their teams and fans with their OOCs. Lots of big time matchups outside the league that will help make them better in the long run.
The BE scheduled both of their regular season games deep into the season for a reason. They will be must watch and will be a huge deal locally and nationally.
Pitino is great but it will take time IMO for that team to gel. He took a projected 5th place team last season to both the conference and tourney titles, pretty comfortably, but I think this will be a scenario where SJU isn’t as good in the regular season but is an even better and more dangerous team come NCAA time. They won’t surpass their prowess last year during the regular season - not surprising because it’s hard to only lose 2 games all year in the league and win 30+ — but will be more suited to make a big NCAA run IMO.
Both coaches did a great job for their teams and fans with their OOCs. Lots of big time matchups outside the league that will help make them better in the long run.
The BE scheduled both of their regular season games deep into the season for a reason. They will be must watch and will be a huge deal locally and nationally.
Better big, yes.
more talent, not so sure. Uconn is loaded.
better PG, no way. The Demary/Malachi combination is better than SJU’s options. PG is their weak spot until proven otherwise.
I think this sums it up pretty well; I do think Danny and UConn believe they have something to prove this year (hard to believe they would have to "prove" anything after 2 Nattys but...) as I know last year didnt sit well with him/the program. And, we all know how much he admires Slick Rick...lol...so there is added juice there for them to want to re-claim the title as "Beast of the East"...or whatever it is these days!
I do think it will be a good race at the top, with Creighton....and perhaps one surprise team (G-Town?) also making some noise.
Oh how I long for the days when we were included in this discussion...
Interesting Creighton news, but I saw something pop up on my phone that one of their 2 big time transfers from Iowa apparently has a knee issue that is going to prevent him from working out until mid/late September (assuming I read it correctly). Something to keep an eye on, because part of the reason folks are so high on them is the idea that those two Iowa transfers are going to step in right away to replace the star power that left.
Jackson may well have a longer NBA career than either, maybe even both combined. But he ain’t better than Demary right now, alone.