Big East 2024-2025

[LJay]

SI’s take on the Big East.

[LJay]

Slick Rick speaks! What say you?

Personally, I don’t think there are enough needle movers out there to expand and I don’t see how the TV contract expands with anyone you could bring in.

Hard pass.

[Realhoops]

It feels inevitable. And it will be sad. To me, at least, one of the single greatest things about the Big East is that you play every single team home and away. And I have no confidence at all that when the league expands into divisions, we're going to avoid getting an uneven schedule that no longer consistently sees the UConns and the Novas coming to Omaha every year. And that's going to suck.

[SeattleJay]

I can’t see football schools joining the BE. Been there done that. The college that wants to be big time in football (U Conn) didn’t get invited to the B12 and is a future risk to leave.

So if we are a basketball conference who is left? Some of the better programs won’t generate a ton of additional media revenue because they either are from a smaller market or don’t have a big following.

Who is out there now that the Zags are tied up for a while? Dayton, VCU, Grand Canyon, USF, St Mary’s, SLU, Loyola Chicago. Pretty good programs but would there be much synergy?

[gtmoBlue]

Sounds as if Coach Pitino is one of the folks expecting an ACC implosion…which is still on track for Feb 2025 and the ESPN refusal to extend the ACC contract.

When the main ACC footballer (4-6) schools leave the tv monies will shrink to AAC/MWC levels. The BE can pick up 4-6 of the leftovers to expand.

[LJay]

Rothstein doesn’t think much of the Jays.

[vivid_dude]

I think Rothstein's ranking is fair. In my estimation, I had Creighton as a Top 20 team, but closer to 20 than 10. And I somehow don't even get paid for these opinions.

You can credibly argue that Baylor and Trey were the only two players on last year's CU team who were above average at creating their own shots. Even they struggled in that area occasionally. Is Pop Isaacs that guy? Maybe. I love Larry Johnson's tape. Outside of that, the rest of the squad (on paper and via my armchair analysis) doesn't seem to have it. Maybe Jamiya?

That, to me, will be one of the biggest challenges for the season. Creating a decent shot in a half-court set when running the offense doesn't generate it, and the shot clock hits :05. Who gets the ball and what can he/they do with it?

This Creighton team has a high ceiling if things click. But I also think their floor is a bit scarier/lower than the last few years because of so many uncertainties. Thankfully, Mac is historically quite good at exceeding the prognosticators'' expectations.

Also, here's a fun game. On your computer/laptop/phone, Google "Creighton roster." Then look at the photos that are displayed. The picture of Larry Johnson seems outdated.

[SonofFrankTomera]

I think Rothstein's ranking is fair. In my estimation, I had Creighton as a Top 20 team, but closer to 20 than 10. And I somehow don't even get paid for these opinions.

You can credibly argue that Baylor and Trey were the only two players on last year's CU team who were above average at creating their own shots. Even they struggled in that area occasionally. Is Pop Isaacs that guy? Maybe. I love Larry Johnson's tape. Outside of that, the rest of the squad (on paper and via my armchair analysis) doesn't seem to have it. Maybe Jamiya?

That, to me, will be one of the biggest challenges for the season. Creating a decent shot in a half-court set when running the offense doesn't generate it, and the shot clock hits :05. Who gets the ball and what can he/they do with it?

This Creighton team has a high ceiling if things click. But I also think their floor is a bit scarier/lower than the last few years because of so many uncertainties. Thankfully, Mac is historically quite good at exceeding the prognosticators'' expectations.

Also, here's a fun game. On your computer/laptop/phone, Google "Creighton roster." Then look at the photos that are displayed. The picture of Larry Johnson seems outdated.

I know it is an old school philosophy, but we could throw it down to our 7’1 center with :05 left and I would feel pretty good about any shot he puts up. And yes I read your entire post.

[vivid_dude]

In theory, you are right. But Kalk’s career isn’t legendary because we are able to feed him and get those types of shots off consistently. Maybe he takes the leap this year. I do not disagree with you, but am still concerned about that facet of this team’s game. Shot creation with the clock winding down typically isn’t usually centered around FEED THE POST!

Hell, when the clock was winding down back in the day, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady were searching for the shots - not Shaq.

I’m hoping Larry Johnson is more of that guy than many might be thinking right now.

[SonofFrankTomera]

In theory, you are right. But Kalk’s career isn’t legendary because we are able to feed him and get those types of shots off consistently. Maybe he takes the leap this year. I do not disagree with you, but am still concerned about that facet of this team’s game. Shot creation with the clock winding down typically isn’t usually centered around FEED THE POST!

Hell, when the clock was winding down back in the day, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady were searching for the shots - not Shaq.

I’m hoping Larry Johnson is more of that guy than many might be thinking right now.

I think one of the reasons those guys didn’t look for Shaq was because he couldn’t shoot free throws to save his life. Remember “ hack a Shaq?” And I agree, I think LJ will end up being a go to guy when the clock is winding down.