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Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! NBC Sports put together a group of “experts” to pick out the champions and award winners for the 2018-19 season. This included both their NCAA Tournament picks, and their picks for the major conferences... plus the AAC.
As one might figure, Villanova is dominant in the Big East voting. As expected, all four experts pick Villanova to win the conference. Eric Paschall got the most votes for Big East Player of the Year, and Jay Wright got the most votes for Big East Coach of the Year.
On the National Stage, Villanova wasn’t picked for the Final Four by any of the experts. However, the Big East was represented as Rob Dauster picked Marquette to make it to Minneapolis. Jay Wright did get one of the four picks for National Coach of the Year, which would be the 3rd time he’s won the award. Only Coach K and Calipari have won the award thrice.
Based on the landscape of the Big East, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to think of Wright and Paschall as front runners for the top awards in the conference. But on the National stage, I just don’t think it’s going to be in the cards for Jay this year. Expectations will be pretty high for the defending Champs, and it would likely take an incredible season for Wright to get consideration. That said, anything’s possible!
In other “news”, NBC preseason rankings, Isaiah Stewart’s recruitment continues, and an update on Andrew Jones. Enjoy!
2018-19 College Basketball Expert Picks | NBC Sports
These picks will clearly be proven to be 100 percent correct.
College Basketball Preseason Top 25 | NBC Sports
The only top 25 ranking you need to pay attention to. Villanova comes in at #5.
Isaiah Stewart visiting Kentucky this weekend | CatsPause.com
Things are heating up in a hurry between Kentucky and La Lumiere (Ind.) 5-star center Isaiah Stewart. Stewart (6-9, 250), who is ranked No. 5 overall in the 2019 class.
Duke may be losing steam in race for Isaiah Stewart | Ball Durham
Five-star 2019 center and Duke basketball target Isaiah Stewart now has an offer from Kentucky, and the Blue Devils' chances to snag him seem to be falling.
Jalen Gaffney commits to UConn men’s basketball team | The Hour
Bryan Antoine will have a chance to face his former teammate next season when Villanova faces UConn.
Texas’ Andrew Jones practicing following leukemia diagnosis | NBC Sports
Shaka Smart updates guard's status.