Welcome to The Holy Land of Hoops

Big East is very well represented.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/10/24/c/

Half the league among the top 20 backcourts in the country? From Rob Dauster's keyboard to God's ears!

Lol at 18th...they prob looked at experience more than talent.

MullinMayhem wrote:Lol at 18th...they prob looked at experience more than talent.

Lindy's list the Johnnies' backcourt at #4 and Villanova's at #6 in the country, respectively.

Blue Ribbon Basketball Yearbook list of the Big East's backcourts:

1) St. John's
2) Villanova
3) Creighton

MullinMayhem wrote:Lol at 18th...they prob looked at experience more than talent.

There is no doubt that Ponds and Lovett can light it up offensively. But the game is played on two ends of the floor and even you Johnny fans have to admit that neither bring consistent effort on D. Getting a few steals each game does not a good defender make—just ask Sixers fans about A. Iverson. I think what would elevate the SJU backcourt to elite status is simply greater defensive effort. They need to try to stop the other team in between their offensive brilliance. Just my $0.02. I’ll await the inevitable “defensive” Red Storm responses.

GumbyDamnit! wrote:

MullinMayhem wrote:Lol at 18th...they prob looked at experience more than talent.

There is no doubt that Ponds and Lovett can light it up offensively. But the game is played on two ends of the floor and even you Johnny fans have to admit that neither bring consistent effort on D. Getting a few steals each game does not a good defender make—just ask Sixers fans about A. Iverson. I think what would elevate the SJU backcourt to elite status is simply greater defensive effort. They need to try to stop the other team in between their offensive brilliance. Just my $0.02. I’ll await the inevitable “defensive” Red Storm responses.

Not defensive...I think that's fair...but even offensively they are not getting enough respect. Ponds and Lovett were making crazy shots on a regular basis all season long. Mid range, 3 pointers, off balance, etc. Throughout the Lavin era the only guy we had who did that was Harrison and these 2 guys did what they did as freshmen. To have Yale a few places from us on that list is hysterical. It just goes to show the guy who made the list clearly has not paid close attention. I just don't think enough credit is being given after the addition of former 5 star Simon who is a huge guard. Ponds and Lovett are good enough for guards on a team...throw Simon in there and you are talking about top 5 nationally IMO. Of course the jury is still out but from what I've seen from Simon he is extremely athletic probably the most athletic on the team. St. John's is suffering from a perception issue that we never live up to expectations and regularly underperform. This affects such rankings. That's why this season is so important...time to shed that paper tiger label and force people to give us props.

My guess is that this list took depth into account much more than the others and that's what they knocked St. John's for. SJU is the only schools on the list with less than 4 names, and the majority have 5 or 6. If they renamed it "College Basketball's Best Starting Backcourts" I think the Johnnies would shoot up the list.

http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/10/24/college-basketballs-best-frontcourts/

Top 10 in both frontcourt and backcourt? NBC seems to really like the Pirates this year. Now if only they can make some free throws...

How many times must I defend the best POINT GUARD in the conference not named Brunson!? The backcourt of Cartwright Diallo Ashton-Langford White Edwards will be top 3 in the conference. You guys can all laugh and 3 if you can point out how Providence fans are easily offended blah blah blah. It’s like a broken record. Last year I told you all Cartwright would lead the league in assists. You all called me insane. This year I’m saying Kyron Cartwright WILL BE first team all big east. The backcourt with a first team all big east senior point guard is not going to be one of the bottom 4 backcourts in this conference lol.

FriarFan.... you are right. He is one of the top point guards in the league. No question at all imo. Friars will have one of the top backcourts, the survey missed on that one...