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Message: [QUOTE="Storrs South, post: 4252903, member: 7275"] TL;DR a lot of talent leaving conference and NCAA next season so while UConn is losing some guys, still think top 4 finish in league is likely, top 3 very possible too and tourney bid. Beyond that who knows. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Big East and all of college basketball is going to lose a lot of talent as 5th year guys depart. For UConn, I think this team is well positioned to once again have a top 3 finish. Going team by team: [LIST=1] [*]Providence - Loses Al Durham, Nate Watson, and likely Horchler. 3 starters. Possibly Minaya too since he's been at this for 5 years already as well. Four starters. Even Reeves and Croswell may call it quits after 4 years. Pretty self explanatory. Bynum may come back having only played 3 years and I think technically has 2 years of eligibility left due to RS and COVID year but pretty empty cupboard after that. Couple 3 stars in 2022 recruiting class so unlikely to be instant impact. Going to have to heavily leverage portal to remain in top half of Big East. For now starting 5 is like Bynum, Breed, Reeves, Minaya, Croswell. [*]Villanova - Loses Gillespie and Samuels. I don't doubt they have as good replacements behind them, those are two foundational pieces of their lineup. They will still be very good because it's Jay Wright and favorites to win conference again but team will definitely not be as good as this year. Top recruiting class coming in for next year (5 star, couple 4s). Probably a starting 5 of like Caleb Daniels, Brandon Slater, Chris Arcidiacano, Justin Moore, and Eric Dixon [*]UConn - Loses Whaley, Polley for sure, likely Cole and Martin. Returns two starters in Andre and Sango plus rotation players Gaffney, Hawkins, and Akok. Having Karaban and Corey in building for most of year already helps in terms of development but will likely need to go to portal for 1-2 guys if Cole and Martin do move on. Guess starting 5 is Gaffney, Andre, Hawkins, Akok, Sanogo. [*]Creighton - this is the only team that really isn't losing anything and should be considered preseason #2 in conference. I'd expect they only lose O'Connell. Some critical pieces did get injured at end of season so that may impact them slightly but they are poised for a great 2022-23. Same starting 5 this year as last year except swap out O'Connell. [*]Seton Hall - Lost HC Willard, likely to be replaced by Holloway. Losing Myles Cale and Bryce Aiken. I think Holloway can keep the rest of the core back for another year, ceiling won't be exceptionally high but I think they will remain top half Big East team, and prime to crack top 3. Starting 5 of Kadary, Tray Jackson, Rhoden, Yetna, and Ike. [*]Marquette - losing Morsell and Kuath and possibly Justin Lewis. That's a good chunk of their scoring and minutes that will need to be replaced. Shaka is a good coach but will be a fight to remain top half of league. Starting 5 of like Kolek, Elliot, Igohodaro, Kam Jones, and like Max-Prosper or something. [*]Xavier - Losing Scruggs and Johnson. Xavier fans may contest Scruggs leaving is addition by subtraction after the step back he took this year. Freemantle and Nunge are both good players but it seemed clear they create similar issues Sanogo and Whaley created together which is it ruins spacing. Not sure if there is a way to fix given their skillsets. They have a lot of decent players and on paper have horses to get to top 4 in league. Starting 5 of Nunge, Odom, Jones, Freemantle, Nunge. [*]St. John's - losing Stef Smith, Coburn, and likely Champagnie. Coach was rumored to be leaving, fans want Anderson gone after winning COY in BE last year. Roster retention will be something to watch this offseason. Posh and Wheeler are players but after that the cupboard is bare. Starting 5 Posh, Wheeler, Mathis, Addae Wussu, and Soriano [*]DePaul - Only slated to lose Brandon Johnson. No idea if Freeman-Liberty goes pro or transfers or whatever, but DePaul could legit be a top 6 team in league next year. Partly because of roster retention and how they played this year, partly because league is taking a step back. same starting lineup just swap out Johnson. [*]Butler - losing everyone, and I mean everyone. it is going to be baaaadd for them next year. Only commit for 2022. They will be competing with Georgetown for the bottom. I have no earthly idea what their starting 5 will look like, it's going to be bad. [*]Georgetown - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA [/LIST] Prior to knowing transfers and who's going pro, making some reasonable assumptions I think it shakes out for next year as follows for 2022-2023 in standings: 1. Villanova 2. Creighton 3. UConn 4. Seton Hall ------- (estimated NCAA at-large bid cut line) 5. Xavier 6. Providence 7. DePaul 8. Marquette 9. St. John's ------ (seismic gap in team quality) . . . 10. Butler 11. Georgetown [/QUOTE]

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