Earlier this week, we looked at some changes across the backcourts of the Big East. Today, we’ll look at the frontcourts.
Butler
Butler isn’t looking at any significant losses in the frontcourt. They will return their second, fourth, and fifth leading scorers in Kelan Martin, Andrew Chrabascz, and Tyler Wideman. They also return 6-11 sophomore Nate Fowler, who will be one of only two players on the roster at 6-10 or bigger. The other is incoming freshman Joey Brunk. Brunk is a four-star recruit who will need to make an impact. He has solid footwork and a nice touch around the basket, as well as decent passing ability for a big man. With the losses they took in the backcourt, as well as a log-jam of players standing 6-4 or smaller, the frontcourt will have to produce in order for the Bulldogs to replicate last season’s success.
Creighton
Creighton losses 7-footer Geoffrey Groselle. Grosselle was the Bluejays third-leading scorer and leading rebounder last season. They will add 6-11 freshman Justin Patton.Patton is a top-50 recruit who could step in and have immediate impact for Creighton. He protects the rim as you would expect a 6-11 player to do. He attacks loose balls with ferocity can be a force on the boards, particularly at the offensive end where he can deliver thundering put-backs. He also has impressive ball-handling skills for a guy his size. The Bluejays also return second-leading scorer Cole Huff. Toby Hegner and Zach Hanson could be looking at expanded roles as well. With Patton at 6-11, Hegner at 6-10, Hanson at 6-9, and Huff at 6-8, Creighton has decent size heading into the season. 6-9 Martin Krampelj should also be in the mix after suffering a knee injury early last season.The frontcourt is looking solid for Creighton in 2016-17, and they look to be a team on the rise.
DePaul
The Blue Demons lose leading scorer and rebounder Myke Henry. They will also lose Rashaun Stimage, though he only played about 17 minutes per game. They will add 6-10 Levi Cook and 6-6 Algevon Eichelberger.Cook can play with his back to the basket and has a nice soft touch around the rim. He can step out to the mid-range as well. He has very impressive passing ability for a player his size. Conditioning could be a factor that could limit his impact a little bit.Eichelberger does most of his damage close to the basket, but isn’t afraid to step out and fire a jump shot. At 6-6, he will have to prove his effectiveness against bigger players.
Georgetown
The Hoyas will add an interesting name, George Muresan, son of former NBA giant Gheorge Muresan. Muresan can play with his back to the basket and can step out to 17 or 18 feet.Georgetown will also return Bradley Hayes, who was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Hayes averaged 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Hoyas last season in just over 21 minutes per game.They also return Jessie Govan, Marcus Derrickson, Isaac Copeland, and Reggie Cameron, who all saw significant minutes last season.Frontcourt depth will be a strength for the Hoyas in 2016-17.
Marquette
Marquette’s frontcourt takes a big loss in Henry Ellenson. Ellenson was far and away the team’s best scorer and rebounder. They will add 6-6 Sam Hauser to their frontcourt.As I said about Hauser in our “New Faces” piece earlier this month, Hauser has some versatility to his game, with an ability to hit jump shots as well as play with his back to the basket. He is good without the basketball. I like his demeanor, as he lets the game come to him and has a steadiness and calmness about him on the court.6-6 Sandy Cohen III and 6-11 Luke Fischer will also look to increase their roles as the Golden Eagles try to fill the hole left by Ellenson’s departure. Fischer was second on the team in scoring and rebounding last year, but missed two months of the spring/early summer with an elbow injury. 6-10 Matt Heldt could also be looking at an increased role.
Providence
Like Marquette, Providence faces a tough loss in the frontcourt in Ben Bentil. Like Ellenson at Marquette, Bentil led the Friars in scoring and rebounding. Little used Quadree Smith will transfer.Providence is left quite light in the frontcourt, with 6-8 Rodney Bullock the only real contributor who is returning. Bullock averaged 11.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in nearly 33 minutes per game. The Friars will add 6-7 Alpha Diallo and 6-9 Kalif Young. Diallo will look to score the ball and use his athleticism. Young has a decent mixture of size and quickness. He’s got good instincts and moves without the ball, and is solid defensively and can disrupt shots. Both should be decent additions for Providence.
Seton Hall
The Hall aren’t looking at any major departures or arrivals in the frontcourt. They return Angel Delgado and Desi Rodriguez. Rodriquez averaged 12.4 points and 5 rebounds while Delgado nearly averaged a double-double with 9.9 points and 9.3 rebounds. Sophomore Myles Carter could also be looking at an expanded role.St. John’sThe Red Storm lose a pair of 6-6 players in Ron Mvouika and Durand Johnson. Johnson led the team in scoring, while Mvouika was third.St. John’s adds JUCO player Bashir Ahmed (6-7) and German Richard Freudenberg (6-8.) Ahmed can make plays off the dribble and has a nice stroke from three. Freudenberg is a pure shooter who can also make plays at the rim.These are some nice pieces for St. John’s to add as they look to put last season’s embarrassing campaign behind them.
Xavier
The Musketeers lose two key players in the frontcourt, 6-10 James Farr and 6-10 Jalen Reynolds. Farr averaged 10.7 points and 7.8 rebounds last season and was Xavier’s leading rebounder, while Reynolds chipped in 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. Xavier will also lose little used 6-10 Makinde London. They will add 6-8 Tyrique Jones and 6-9 Eddie Ekiyor. Transfer RaShid Gaston will be joining Xavier as wellJones does most of his damage around the basket and is pretty proficient in the low post, but he also has a nice stroke on his jump shot. He is athletic and can be very disruptive on the defensive end.Ekiyor also likes to score at the rim. He runs the floor well. All indications are he is a hard worker and has a great attitude.Gaston (6-9) averaged 15.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 2014-15 at Norfolk State while shooting 63% from the floor.The 2016-17 Musketeers will be driven by their strong backcourt, which should allow Jones and Ekiyor time to develop, and Gaston should be able to step right in and provide some production.
