ESPN: Butler, Georgetown "tumbling" in 2013-14

[admin]

From ESPN:

The following teams could tumble in 2013-14. Just so we’re clear: That potential “tumble” is based on last season’s position for every team listed. It doesn’t mean these squads will finish at the bottom of the standings, but I think they’ll fall in comparison to their respective peaks from last season.

6. Butler: Rotnei Clarke (16.9 PPG) and Andrew Smith (11.3 PPG) have moved on. That’s a challenge for the program because they formed a potent inside-outside combo. But Roosevelt Jones, Khyle Marshall and Kellen Dunham remain. So Butler can find buckets in 2013-14. The Bulldogs are on this list, however, because Brad Stevens will not be on the sideline next season. Brandon Miller has a strong pedigree. I don’t doubt his coaching acumen. But Stevens is making millions in the NBA because he has the rare ability to extract every ounce of talent from his players. At Butler, they were devoted to him and his system. That combination of buy-in and strategy led to amazing highs in recent years. Even though Miller is in the Butler family, this is still a transition. And it’s a transition without the mastermind who made Butler a household name. The Bulldogs may fall before they establish their footing under Miller.

5. Georgetown: First, Otto Porter turned pro. Then Greg Whittington tore an ACL, jeopardizing his status for next season. Yes, three starters from last season's squad return, and former UCLA standout Josh Smith will join the team at midseason. And that helps. Markel Starks' presence is a major boost for the program too. But who will create offensive opportunities for a team that registered just 64.6 PPG (247th nationally) with a lottery pick running the show? That number doesn’t tell the full story of Georgetown basketball in 2012-13. The Hoyas were fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency per Ken Pomeroy. But Porter’s versatility eased the defensive responsibilities of his teammates. With a healthy Whittington, however, the latter will be a minimal concern for John Thompson III’s program. But there’s no guarantee that Whittington will be ready in time to help Georgetown in 2013-14. And that’s a problem.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... ling-teams

[bmorex]

I know most of the responses this post will get will be about how ESPN is anti-Big East, but the comments are correct. I don't expect Butler to have a good season. Georgetown loses their best player from last year and Whittington is out for the season. Are they one of the top 10 biggest teams in the NCAA to tumble? I have no idea, but it wouldn't surprise me.

(For the record, I still think Georgetown will be a top 3-4 team in the Big East, but there are definitely valid points on why they should be lower this year than in years past.)

[BillEsq]

Its not all gloom or doom St. Johns was listed as one of the 10 teams on the rise in the companion article. Which predicted that St. Johns would be in the top 25 all year and be fighting Marquette and Creighton for the conference crown.

The fact is that these are all summer prognostications. Everyone is undefeated until some point in November. Who knows what situations good and bad might befall teams between now and then.

[yorost]

I know most of the responses this post will get will be about how ESPN is anti-Big East, but the comments are correct.

It's not like anything was written that hasn't already been said many times on this forum. If ESPN covers us fairly there will still always be negative to go with the positives. People get upset with ESPN on the pieces that are misleading or condescending, not normal coverage.

[nathanhm]

Yawn, Georgetown is always losing their best players to graduation, NBA, or injury and every year we end up being a "surprise" team. We'll finish top 3 in the Big East during the regular season.

I think I speak for ever Georgetown fan though who could care less how we do in the regular season, just need to win at least 2 games in the NCAA tournament.

[butlerguy03]

Butler wasn't going to have a good season, Stevens or not. I know halfway through the season there will be a negative reaction to Butler being in the Big East. We'll see if this recruiting class and the others coming will help the Dawgs move up in coming years.

[DeltaV]

Butler: don't worry. You're part of the big boys now. Same as how no one is really worried about Georgetown's losses...you're part of the 'protected' class, no matter what ESPN says. You're here to walk the walk, and you wouldn't have been invited to the Big East if people who know a heck of a lot more than me didn't believe in you as well.