9. Villanova
Coach: Jay Wright
2017-18 record: 36-4
Notable players definitely gone: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo, Omari Spellman
Other expected departures: None
Notable players expected to return: Eric Paschall, Phil Booth, Collin Gillespie, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Jermaine Samuels, Tim Delaney, Dylan Painter
Expected additions: Jahvon Quinerly, Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, Joe Cremo
Why the Wildcats are ranked here: Villanova is losing Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman to the NBA Draft. That's a lot of good pieces gone. But Eric Paschall, Phil Booth and a top-15 recruiting class -- highlighted by five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly -- should have Jay Wright's program as Big East favorites again.
10. Villanova
Previous rank: No. 2
Donte DiVincenzo made the smart decision to stay in the draft after earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four and excelling at the combine. And you can't blame Omari Spellman for chasing his dreams in a league that salivates over athletic big men who can stretch the floor.
Their departures change our assessment of Villanova, a team that had a chance to win its third national title in four years had those two returned. Still, Jay Wright will put out a winning team. Double-figure scorers Eric Paschall and Phil Booth are back. Collin Gillespie (39.4 percent from the 3-point line) is the next "Where'd he come from?" candidate on a team with a habit of promoting previously anonymous young shooters.
Don't forget the introduction of five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly. Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo (17.8 PPG) is in the mix now, too.
24. Butler
Previous rank: No. 24
LaVall Jordan led his alma mater to the NCAA tournament in his first season as head coach. He'll lose Kelan Martin, but Kamar Baldwin averaged 19.0 PPG and and returns alongside Paul Jorgensen and Sean McDermott. Butler will also add Duke transfer Jordan Tucker, who will be eligible in December after the first semester.
Jordan, the second-youngest coach to lead a team to the NCAA tournament last season, should lead the Bulldogs back to the NCAA tournament with this underrated group.
9. Villanova
Key losses: F Mikal Bridges, G Jalen Brunson, G Donte DiVincenzo, F Omari Spellman
Key returners: G Phil Booth, F Eric Paschall, G Collin Gillespie, F Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree
Notable newcomers: G Jahvon Quinerly, F Brandon Slater, F Cole Swider, G Joe Cremo
While Villanova had been preparing for months to lose national player of the year Jalen Brunson and projected lottery pick Mikal Bridges, the Wildcats until recently could not have seen the other two departures coming. Donte DiVincenzo announced Tuesday that he was remaining in the NBA draft on the heels of his 31-point national title game performance. Omari Spellman followed suit on Wednesday, gambling that there is a place in the NBA for a 6-foot-9 big man who spaces the floor, rebounds and protects the rim. The loss of those four standouts is a massive blow for Villanova, but Jay Wright has the program rolling well enough that the Wildcats should still be considered the favorite to win the Big East next season. They’ll lean on returning starters Phil Booth and Eric Paschall, give heralded freshman point guard Jahvon Quinerly the keys to the offense and hope that Jermaine Samuels and Albany transfer Joe Cremo can ease the loss of DiVincenzo and Cole Swider and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree can fill the void left by Omari Spellman.
gtmoBlue wrote:Post draft withdrawal deadline...BE 2018-19 Prediction
Waited until after the draft deadline. A lot of folks left the BE.
Creighton
Notable players expected to return: Martin Krampelj, Davion Mintz, Ty-Shon Alexander, Mitch Ballock, Jacob Epperson, Kaleb Joseph, Damien Jefferson
Expected additions: Marcus Zegarowski, Chris Bishop, Sam Froling, Denzel Mahoney, Connor Cashaw
Why the Bluejays are here: Creighton loses 4 seniors (2 Starters) and Jr Khyri Thomas to the NBA Draft. That's 3 good pieces gone. But Krampelj, Mintz, Ballock, Alexander and Epperson all return plus add a top-40 recruiting class -- highlighted by four-star point guard Marcus Zegarowski. There is not a lot of dropoff on this team. Add in late grad transfer wing Connor Cashaw for additional scoring punch, should have Greg McDermott’s program as the Big East favorites in a down season.
1) Creighton
2) Providence
3) Marquette
4) Nova
5) Georgetown
6) Xavier
7) St Johns
8) Butler
9) DePaul
10) Seton Hall
gtmoBlue wrote:KMacker, will probably have Butler last when I post my official predictions on 15 August.
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