Cincinnati News, Connecticut Recruiting, Georgetown News, Providence Recruiting, Rutgers News, Syracuse News, USF Recruiting

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (10/14/2009)

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A few more preseason articles to get the blood pumping for the official start of college basketball practices for the 2009-2010 season are found today. Fred Hill is cautiously optimistic that Rutgers will begin turning the corner this season with a goal of reaching the Big Dance in 2010-2011. Syracuse has some pressing questions that will need answers, one question I would not worry about is Wesley Johnson, he is the real deal! Georgetown is desperately looking to rebound from last season, but some of last year’s shortcomings could still be seen with this year’s club. Cincinnati is hoping this is their breakout season under Mick Cronin. Deonta Vaughn is still there to lead, but this time, he has help…

On the recruiting front, a couple updates on some Baltimore-area prospects that are looking at the Big East. Speaking of praspects, Doug Ferguson takes a look at the Top 10 senior NBA Draft Prospects of the Big East heading into the season.

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With practice starting this week and games in a month, college basketball season is definitely upon us! As with every fan and coach, it is like the opening days of spring training and everyone is still in the playoff picture. While most are talking about their NCAA Tournament hopes of this season, Rutgers head coach Fred Hill is discussing his goal of making the NCAA Tournament next year with the Scarlet Knight, the 2010-2011 season, in Jerry Carino’s Q&A with Fred Hill (Hoops Haven).
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With Jonny Flynn opting for the NBA draft and Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf pursuing their own professional opportunities rather than return to Syracuse for their senior seasons, Syracuse Will Try to Answer Some Big Questions (Syracuse Post-Standard) this season.

- 1: Can redshirt soph Antonio ‘Scoop’ Jardine or true freshman Brandon Triche replace Flynn and effectively run the Orange offense?

- 2: Can Iowa State transfer Wes Johnson live up to the hype? Well, when he became available and looking to transfer, just about every Big East team was VERY interested. Syracuse struck quickly and secured the transfer after his first visit and NBE expects this to pay off very big for the Orange as he is the perfect forward in Jim Boeheim’s system. Johnson was the second best frosh in the Big 12 behind Kevin Durant in 2006-2007 and he averaged over 12 points a game in 2007-2008 despite playing on an injured ankle that required surgery following the season. Now healthy and after a season of practicing with the Orange, he has impressed his new teammates.

“No, he’s not overhyped,’’ senior Arinze Onuaku told the Post-Standard. “He’s a pro. That’s all I can say. He’s a 6-7 wing man who shoots the ball, jumps with the best of them, rebounds, defends. He does it all. He’s not overhyped at all. He’s going to live up to it.’’

- 3: It’s not who replaces Devendorf, but how? Andy Rautins is the pure shooter and better ballhandler, but creating the points off the dribble if the offense breaks down with the young point guards will be something to watch closely.

- 4: How is Onuaku’s knee? His health is imperative for a thin frontcourt and he teams with Rick Jackson for an imposing duo.
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Last season was anything but smooth sailing for the Georgetown basketball team as they went into a freefall mode after opening conference play with a road win at Connecticut. With official practices ready to get underway this week the Hoyas are Desperate for a Fresh Start (Washington Times) to put the memory of last season behind them.

With Chris Wright, Austin Freeman and Greg Monroe being the expected building blocks and improvements from Jason Clark and Henry Sims, the Hoya starting five is as talented as anyone’s in the conference. However, their depth remains a concern and, just like last year, is very inexperienced.

It is a hungry group, looking to learn lessons from losing 12 of their last 16 games last season.
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For the last few seasons, Cincinnati has relied almost solely on Deonta Vaughn to either win a game for them or keep them competitive. Now, as a senior, a rebuilt roster has expectations of a Bearcat breakthrough under coach Mick Cronin. As in seasons past, Vaughn Leads UC, but now has Help (ESPN.com) from a healthy Cashmere Wright, sophomore Yancy Gates, transfer Ibrahima Thomas, uber-talented recruit Lance Stephenson and a strong and experienced supporting cast. UC has experience and talent, the combination needed to begin thinking about winning in the Big East. Now they have to do it, through the entire 18-game conference schedule.
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Matt Bracken of the Baltimore Sun’s Recruiting Report takes a look at the Baltimore Natives at Notre Dame Prep this season. One name that Big East fans might want to follow this year is Cleveland Melvin, a 6-foot-8 power forward, who is starting to pick up more recruiting interest according to ND Prep coach Ryan Hurd.

“South Florida has offered,” coach Hurd told the Sun. “TCU has offered. Memphis and Baylor and UConn, I think they will [offer]. I think they want to make sure he takes care of everything he needs to take care of first.”

Melvin is scheduled to take the SAT’s this weekend and then he can begin taking official visits. Melvin previously attended Lake Clifton High School.
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A week ago, Bracken had a Quick St. Frances Hoops Update that we missed. Senior shooting guard Dante Holmes is still getting interest from Providence while junior center Greg Lewis has picked up a scholarship offer from South Florida this fall.

One interesting name to follow with St. Frances this season is Sam Cassell Jr, who will be playing his first season of varsity ball with the Panthers.
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