Quietly and under the radar, the Cincinnati Bearcats go about their business preparing for the 2008-2009 season. All-Big East performer Deonta Vaughn returns to lead Mick Cronin into the all-important third year of a coaching tenure and the Bearcats could be a team ready to surprise in the Big East.

Last season, UC was starting to make some noise as they reached 8-5 in the Big East, but the bottom fell out from there as they lost their last seven games of the season to fall back to 13-19 overall and 8-10 in the Big East. This year another infusion of new talent and hopeful progress of their sophomores to team with Vaughn could make the Bearcats a team on the prowl this season.

Read rest of article here: 2008-2009 Cincinnati Team Preview

Seton Hall…hmmmm…

When ranking this year’s teams, a long pause begun when I got to Seton Hall. The first issue, and today is October 3rd, is we still do not know the make-up of this year’s team. There is the eligibility question of freshman Melvyn Oliver, the ongoing battle of Michael Glover’s eligibility, which is now being played out in courts, and now the hardship waiver cases opened by Herb Pope and Keon Lawrence as they attempt to be eligible immediately after transferring into Seton Hall. So, Bobby Gonzalez could have as little as eight players available to tackle the brutal Big East, or they could have a very interesting team of eleven or more.

A realistic look at the situation and you might believe that Oliver is granted eligibility and he adds needed depth to their frontcourt. Maybe Keon Lawrence gets a hardship waiver, but since he is short on credits, he would not be eligible to compete until the second semester while Pope and Glover seem to be somewhat unrealistic at this point. It will be a tough order for the Pirates to improve this season, and with a roster of eight, well, that is nearly an impossible task in this conference. Still, there is some hope with some intriguing talent on this club, that if the pieces fall into place with the NCAA, this team could be on a fun roller coaster for fans.

Read Rest of Preview Here: 2008-2009 Seton Hall Preview.

Getting back on the horse after a couple days of sickness, so I apologize for what might be old news in the update, hopefully there is some new news as well!

It appears that Nate Miles, who committed to UConn about 700 days ago is done at UConn 70 days into his time at Storrs. The school has expelled him, but he is likely to appeal. Some more friction at Seton Hall between AD and basketball program. West Virginia works on getting stronger in year two under Bob Huggins and two players plead guilty to lesser charges from an incident this summer at PNC Park.

On the recruiting trail, several Big East schools are ‘Trying to Get Famous’, Jarrid Famous that is. Also, an update on the recruitment of several Baltimore Stars, including the Barton brothers and Terrell Vinson, who is the latest to spurn high-major offers for a different direction. Also, a nice article on Marquette as they prepare for Buzz Williams’ first season.

2-Day Fall Sale, Friday – Saturday, October 3 – 4, Online Only.

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by Ron Bailey

October 2, 2008 – In line with keeping true to NBE Basketball Report’s mission – being the number one source of information for all things Big East hoops related – last weekend’s Maryland Invitational was covered. Following is a rundown of players either currently being recruited by Big East member institutions, or are of the caliber player to eventually play in what’s been dubbed the Big Beast.

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Class of 2010 shooting guard is impressing big time schools

by Doug Ferguson

The Rising Stars Gold Fall Exposure League has kicked off at the Joy of the Game Center in suburban Chicago and the action is getting hot and heavy. One player who has been blowing the minds of everyone in the building is 2010 shooting Ben Brust of Mundelein. He has averaged over 30 points per game through three weeks and would be most people’s choice for league MVP as the league approaches its halfway point.

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