Pre Season ALL BIG EAST

[Xuperman]

I was totally wrong about X, as were the coaches, as reflected in the preseason team rankings and All BE selections. Xavier simply did not come close to expectations, especially of mine personally. So now, there is no way to back up my early season hyperbole but at the time it seemed justified based on what we had returning.

So, hats off to Gumby and Git for seeing right through it. Very impressive prognostication by both. I'm relatively new here and you both will get the benefit of the doubt from me going forward, along with well deserved respect.

[Friarsfan94]

I know still one game to go but would think the All-BE 6th player on the first team is up in the air. I believe the following are locks: Powell, Howard, Baldwin, Alexander and Bey. Diallo, Zegarowski, maybe Jones will battle for that last spot.

Add 2 of those 3 to the 2nd team, along with Marshall, Reed and then a battle between Gillespie, McClung/Yurtseven, Figgy for last spot IMO.

Hon mention candidates (in addition to above): Mitch B, C Moore, McDermott, McKnight or Mamu?, Pipkens or Duke?,

POY? Prob Powell.
FOY? Prob JRE
COY? Big Mac.

Agree with your first team, with Diallo. 2nd team: Zegarowski, Jones, Gillespie, Marshall, and Reed.

I agree with your "OY" but i think it's interesting in your comment above from October about "29% from 3 is just not good enough for a guard or a wing," yet Powell sits at 30% on the season from 3. As others have said, something seems off since his concussion (or perhaps another reason). His shooting stats are similar to his freshman year, not his soph or junior years. He is clearly the motor of that team...the energy guy...the one everyone looks up to but would not be shocked to see Bey (or even Tyshon) sneak in as POY just because Powell's shooting numbers are "off."

I did not understand it then, and still do not, the assertion that Howard, as winner of last year's POY, should have been preseason POY. The votes that were taken were for 2 different basketball seasons. Doesn't seem that complex. Howard is a terrific player, clearly all BE, but won't win player of the year because of Marquette under performing so significantly (if you look thru early threads, some national writers had them in the top 10).

I think Pip cracks one of the teams if they base it solely on conference play. Also, COY Cooley!!!

[GumbyDamnit!]

I know still one game to go but would think the All-BE 6th player on the first team is up in the air. I believe the following are locks: Powell, Howard, Baldwin, Alexander and Bey. Diallo, Zegarowski, maybe Jones will battle for that last spot.

Add 2 of those 3 to the 2nd team, along with Marshall, Reed and then a battle between Gillespie, McClung/Yurtseven, Figgy for last spot IMO.

Hon mention candidates (in addition to above): Mitch B, C Moore, McDermott, McKnight or Mamu?, Pipkens or Duke?,

POY? Prob Powell.
FOY? Prob JRE
COY? Big Mac.

Agree with your first team, with Diallo. 2nd team: Zegarowski, Jones, Gillespie, Marshall, and Reed.

I agree with your "OY" but i think it's interesting in your comment above from October about "29% from 3 is just not good enough for a guard or a wing," yet Powell sits at 30% on the season from 3. As others have said, something seems off since his concussion (or perhaps another reason). His shooting stats are similar to his freshman year, not his soph or junior years. He is clearly the motor of that team...the energy guy...the one everyone looks up to but would not be shocked to see Bey (or even Tyshon) sneak in as POY just because Powell's shooting numbers are "off."

I did not understand it then, and still do not, the assertion that Howard, as winner of last year's POY, should have been preseason POY. The votes that were taken were for 2 different basketball seasons. Doesn't seem that complex. Howard is a terrific player, clearly all BE, but won't win player of the year because of Marquette under performing so significantly (if you look thru early threads, some national writers had them in the top 10).

It's hard to argue with what you are saying about Powell. Numbers do tell a large part of the story. The only thing that strikes me, and last night is a great example of it... Powell also dished out 8 assists, and it could have been more had a few more open shots fallen for other Pirate players. And Jay made a conscious effort to make sure Myles was not going to beat us last night. He double teamed him every chance he could; ran help defenders at him, threw our best defender--who happens to be 6'8"--at him, etc., etc. Reynolds and Mamu and Cale were open and did hit shots. A great player created all of that attention so his teammates could be in a position to hurt us. It almost worked. But I do agree that when I look at the efficiency #'s of guys like Alexander and Bey, that is a stark contract to Myles.

The other thing that probably will not be focused on and it probably should is the other side of the floor. Both Alexander and Bey are really good defenders. Howard and Powell are liabilities on that end of the floor unfortunately.

[handdownmandown]

There’s zero reason to give Cooley COY, unless recognizing a claw back to a projected 9 seed when you have 4 seed talent is worthy.

Sorry, that’s just the way I see it.

[Hall2012]

It's hard to argue with what you are saying about Powell. Numbers do tell a large part of the story. The only thing that strikes me, and last night is a great example of it... Powell also dished out 8 assists, and it could have been more had a few more open shots fallen for other Pirate players. And Jay made a conscious effort to make sure Myles was not going to beat us last night. He double teamed him every chance he could; ran help defenders at him, threw our best defender--who happens to be 6'8"--at him, etc., etc. Reynolds and Mamu and Cale were open and did hit shots. A great player created all of that attention so his teammates could be in a position to hurt us. It almost worked. But I do agree that when I look at the efficiency #'s of guys like Alexander and Bey, that is a stark contract to Myles.

The other thing that probably will not be focused on and it probably should is the other side of the floor. Both Alexander and Bey are really good defenders. Howard and Powell are liabilities on that end of the floor unfortunately.

As you bring up in your example, it is worth nothing that Alexander and Bey don't get nearly the individual attention/harassment from opposing defenses that Powell and Howard get every game. That allows them to more easily play within the flow of the teams' offense and have better shot selection - thus increasing their efficiency numbers. Powell's shot selection - especially at home - has been questionable and I think that's because of the pressure he feels to be scoring the ball. Thought it's possible that's nothing new and last year/pre-concussion this year he just made most of the 10/10 difficulty shots.

[Savannah Jay]

It's hard to argue with what you are saying about Powell. Numbers do tell a large part of the story. The only thing that strikes me, and last night is a great example of it... Powell also dished out 8 assists, and it could have been more had a few more open shots fallen for other Pirate players. And Jay made a conscious effort to make sure Myles was not going to beat us last night. He double teamed him every chance he could; ran help defenders at him, threw our best defender--who happens to be 6'8"--at him, etc., etc. Reynolds and Mamu and Cale were open and did hit shots. A great player created all of that attention so his teammates could be in a position to hurt us. It almost worked. But I do agree that when I look at the efficiency #'s of guys like Alexander and Bey, that is a stark contract to Myles.

The other thing that probably will not be focused on and it probably should is the other side of the floor. Both Alexander and Bey are really good defenders. Howard and Powell are liabilities on that end of the floor unfortunately.

As you bring up in your example, it is worth nothing that Alexander and Bey don't get nearly the individual attention/harassment from opposing defenses that Powell and Howard get every game. That allows them to more easily play within the flow of the teams' offense and have better shot selection - thus increasing their efficiency numbers. Powell's shot selection - especially at home - has been questionable and I think that's because of the pressure he feels to be scoring the ball. Thought it's possible that's nothing new and last year/pre-concussion this year he just made most of the 10/10 difficulty shots.

Just to be clear...I have zero issues if Powell is POY. I do recognize that Tyshon gets to play in our offense alongside two guys that are also 40%+ shooters from 3.

[Hall2012]

Just to be clear...I have zero issues if Powell is POY. I do recognize that Tyshon gets to play in our offense alongside two guys that are also 40%+ shooters from 3.

Never got the impression you did, it's just a worthwhile discussion. From a sheer statistical standpoint, Powell's efficiency numbers are not what you'd expect from a player of the year candidate (and also not what you'd expect from Powell based on prior years). If he wins the award, it'll be more about his leadership/intangibles than his box scores. And if the Hall makes a run in the tournament, it'll either because he found his shot again or because he stopped forcing things. Hopefully he'll enjoy getting to play against teams that don't have 4 years of experience game planning for him.

[GumbyDamnit!]

It's hard to argue with what you are saying about Powell. Numbers do tell a large part of the story. The only thing that strikes me, and last night is a great example of it... Powell also dished out 8 assists, and it could have been more had a few more open shots fallen for other Pirate players. And Jay made a conscious effort to make sure Myles was not going to beat us last night. He double teamed him every chance he could; ran help defenders at him, threw our best defender--who happens to be 6'8"--at him, etc., etc. Reynolds and Mamu and Cale were open and did hit shots. A great player created all of that attention so his teammates could be in a position to hurt us. It almost worked. But I do agree that when I look at the efficiency #'s of guys like Alexander and Bey, that is a stark contract to Myles.

The other thing that probably will not be focused on and it probably should is the other side of the floor. Both Alexander and Bey are really good defenders. Howard and Powell are liabilities on that end of the floor unfortunately.

As you bring up in your example, it is worth nothing that Alexander and Bey don't get nearly the individual attention/harassment from opposing defenses that Powell and Howard get every game. That allows them to more easily play within the flow of the teams' offense and have better shot selection - thus increasing their efficiency numbers. Powell's shot selection - especially at home - has been questionable and I think that's because of the pressure he feels to be scoring the ball. Thought it's possible that's nothing new and last year/pre-concussion this year he just made most of the 10/10 difficulty shots.

Agree 100%

[kayako]

Just to be clear...I have zero issues if Powell is POY. I do recognize that Tyshon gets to play in our offense alongside two guys that are also 40%+ shooters from 3.

And Powell gets to play with Mamu.

[gtmoBlue]

Just to be clear...I have zero issues if Powell is POY. I do recognize that Tyshon gets to play in our offense alongside two guys that are also 40%+ shooters from 3.

Never got the impression you did, it's just a worthwhile discussion. From a sheer statistical standpoint, Powell's efficiency numbers are not what you'd expect from a player of the year candidate (and also not what you'd expect from Powell based on prior years). If he wins the award, it'll be more about his leadership/intangibles than his box scores. And if the Hall makes a run in the tournament, it'll either because he found his shot again or because he stopped forcing things. Hopefully he'll enjoy getting to play against teams that don't have 4 years of experience game planning for him.

Agree wholeheartedly. Hopefully all our teams will flourish in the dance.