Underway…shift colors! The college basketball season is underway as of Sunday, the 1st of November. In the Big East everyone is off to an expected start, sans Villanova. The Cats suffered a mild letdown in Rome, as they allowed Notre Dame to make a comeback and steal a win in front of Papa León XIV. Just a tad embarassing – damned Radnorites!
Mildly surprising this season – several of the P5 prima donnas have significant fellow-P5er’s scheduled in the early non-conference slate. Thus far AP #5 Arizona, #14 Miami , and #18 Iowa St have fallen. This is an encouraging sign on the part of the power conferences as it allows for an early whinnying out of intransigents in the AP/Coaches Polls beauty contests. Normally it takes an act of Congress or God himself to pry ‘favorite’ teams out of those polls. Hurray!
Over on Big East Energy Network they’re imagining which Act of God it will take to unseat heavily favored Connecticut, as the BEast favorite. Although it’s been Papa Pitino’s Red Storm who has won the Big East the last two seasons.
Cognizant Resonance/Economy is a recurring theme in college sports and basketball is not immune. It is a stubborn, obstinant belief in ‘the way things are’ & that ‘things remain the same’. A belief in and an adherence to the status quo, thus saving time, thought, & economizing efforts in an everchanging environment. It has set in upon the BE Coaches Poll (without a doubt, annually, for the last 14 years), the fanbases, and the significant media talking heads. Lazy lemmings following ‘leaders’ to their demise. They can barely perceive a horizon past the Huskies and Johnnies…go figure. Permanence, and it’s stepson ‘status quo’, are not immutable, not superior to change.
Cognitive Dissonance is any fool thinking that things will change, lol!! Fortunately, I have been a positive, cooperative, and abiding contrarian for decades now – continuous improvement works. Change is good and is the only persistently consistent mode in life.
In the conference (new configuration) Villanova, Connecticut, and St Johns have had/are having their day in the sun. Good for them. Jay retired, Abuelo Pitino has a reserved/paid 2 bedroom apt awaiting in The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, NY. Dannyboy Hurley, in all likelihood, will self-destruct or combust…any day now! The conference has shifted from the home of famous coaches to the irreverent, hungry, new kids on the block “Let them eat. One day our sons will bring home our share.” – C. Achebe
As I am a Big East fanboy and fond of Big East Energy’s work…I chimed in.
“Where is the Big East After the Huskies?”
@indigdoc
1 day ago (edited) Most of the BEast teams hit the portal hard. ALL have questions…irt personnel, team chemistry, getting new guys to adapt to the schools schemes/patterns. Lots of questions…in MANY P5 teams/conferences, not just the Big East.
Casey speaks to talent. Agree in part. Talent is always needed and a key factor. Question is can a coach get them to fit, to mesh, to play together, to BUILD A TEAM from the numerous parts n pieces.
The BE Coaches ‘beauty contest’ (Poll) is often misguided and outright wrong. Al Huss’ Bluejays will be the team to beat this season. Enouugh talent, excellent teaam chemistry, and sufficient tests in the non-con, to survive a rough & tumble Big East in 2026-2027. Creighton is the team to watch…team to beat in order to win the conference this season. Jim Harvey, Bluenotes2.com @gtmoBlue
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@BigEastEnergyNetwork9 hours ago Great stuff, Jim, and I’m with you that fit beats a pile of portal talent in November, since it takes time to get new guys playing the same schemes.
Creighton’s chemistry case is real after that win over Kansas City, but can the Jays hang with UConn’s level over a full Big East slate? Who’s their X-factor?
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@indigdoc
8 hours ago Great questions. It’s early.
I favor ‘The case for 80″ basketball philosophy…80 points or 80 shots per game. Whichever comes first!
The 2 Frosh…Tre & Katrelle want to play now & showing it!
Enis desires to be the alpha – but has suspect judgment and shoots too much (a wholesale Costco shopper) – not enough passing.
Green & McAndrew need to assert themselves more in the game & increase their offensive roles (10 shots/gm minimum each).
Traudt seemingly remains a one-trick pony (Wragge-esque). He’ll have his days….
The ‘second line’ imho will make or break the Jays…. The Texas boys – Hudson Greer & Bugg Edwards can/will develop into the difference makers. They will bring the sparks- defensively or offensively (along with Tre C-G) off the bench. Greer is due for a soph spurt & Bugg will find his disruptive footing by December. Swartz will be Swartz, 10-15 ppg.
Looks as though coach sees BJ Davis as his ‘closer’. BJ while short, is tough as nails defensively…can and will score, is money on the FT line. Davis is solid in defensse-experience-judgement with the game ‘in the balance’. So the ‘second line’ is what will make, propel lil’ Cr8n this season – defensively or offensively.
Uconn? Hah! Lil’ Creighton is 10-4 versus big, bad Uconn. Bring it!
Off-the-bench intensity, Duncanville drive, & a solid-consistent ’closer’ in Davis. Jim / @gtmoBlue
No need for histrionics…it’s merely my opinion…and everyone’s got a differing one. Have I ever been incorrect before? Hmmm, no THAT is a tough one, and I have extremely selective memory, lol! Sure…I’ve made a few bad calls…and learned from them. But this is merely college basketball, not EOD bomb defusing…a misstep here is not fatal.
I’m certain the good folks at BE Energy will welcome all comments on their video and commentary. The more the merrier.
Jim Harvey a.k.a. @gtmoblue
PS: Trevon Carter-Givens…one to watch!
