2024-25 Big East Conference Preview
The No Ceilings crew continues their NCAA Conference Preview round tables for the 2024-25 season with the Big East.
The college season is right about to kick into gear, and the NBA season has just gotten underway. While many of the rookies from the 2024 NBA Draft are starting to find their way, the 2024-2025 NCAA season will show prospect evaluators who might be the next young stars determining the NBA’s future.
Before the college season gets underway, we’ve gathered the No Ceilings collective for a roundtable to discuss some of the top prospects and players who might be primed to break out and establish themselves on the draft scene. Today, we continue those conference previews with the Big East.
1. Ignore “consensus” boards and Twitter groupthink. Who is the best NBA prospect in this conference?
Metcalf: It’s boring, but it’s Liam McNeeley. I have a lot of questions with McNeeley’s ultimate ceiling, but his fit with UConn is a match made in heaven. At the very least, McNeeley is a terrific spot-up shooter with high feel and passing chops. On top of that, his size allows him to hold his own on defense and be effective on the boards. He should thrive in UConn’s high movement read-and-react offense.
Austin: It’s McNeeley. When someone has his frame and is as quick as he has shown he can be, they warrant attention solely on athletic grounds. Combine that with his switchable defensive instincts and the fact that the big UConn forward might be the best shooter period in this conference, and this pick is a no-brainer. I’m excited to see where he stacks up against fellow Montverde Academy alumni. Cade Cunningham? Scottie Barnes? This level of development could be in McNeely’s reach.
Rowan: It might be old hat at this point to choose a player from the current college basketball dynasty, but I agree with Metcalf. Liam McNeeley could follow in Stephon Castle’s footsteps and be the next freshman lottery pick from the Huskies. There may not be a better freshman shooter this season, as McNeeley can hit shots off the catch, off movement, with poor footwork, or from any angle. It doesn’t hurt that McNeeley is also an underrated passer, a heady team defender, and has a bit of shimmy off the dribble—all of which make him the best prospect this year in what should be another competitive year for the Big East.
Nick: Liam McNeeley is the choice here, and for good reason. His shooting touch across the board is sensational, and he knocks down looks from deep in a variety of ways–off the catch, off movement, and even occasionally off the dribble. He should have plenty of opportunities to show off his gifts for the Huskies this season, as he seems ready-made to follow in a long legacy of UConn shooting threats.
Rucker: While there’s a lot of talent in this conference that could make some noise in NBA Draft circles, all eyes are going to be on Liam McNeeley. He’s got the goods to be another talented floor spacing wing with offensive upside that can get hot from deep. Plenty will be fascinated to see how McNeeley can develop with UConn this year.
Albert: It’s boring that we all have the same answer, but it’s the right answer. Who doesn’t like a giant wing that can move, shoot, and pass the ball? McNeeley is in a great situation and should learn a ton this season playing in Coach Hurley’s system.
2. Admittedly, one of the most satisfying parts of analyzing the draft is being able to look back and say “psh, about time you guys took notice of him. I’ve been hyping him up for ages.” Who is the prospect that you are irrationally high on?
Metcalf: I’m going with a bit of a deep cut here, but I really like Creighton freshman Larry Johnson Jr. for this question. Whether or not Johnson is a this year guy (probably not) is up for debate, but I think there is a ton of potential there. Johnson is a good athlete with some really fun offensive versatility. I think he could be a sneaky good contributor for another solid Creighton team.
Austin: Alex Karaban. His understanding of the game and ability to keep the ball moving should elevate him into mid-first round conversations. Karaban can really shoot the rock, and while I don’t think he’s gonna be a plus defender on Day One in the NBA, he has instincts on both sides of the ball that should stand out even among UConn’s stacked roster.
Rowan: I’ve felt like I’ve had “diamond hands”—to borrow an Internet term—with my stock in Garwey Dual. He caught a burst of hype before heading to Providence, had an up-and-down freshman campaign due to his offensive struggles, and transferred in-conference to play for Shaheen Holloway at Seton Hall. There are a lot of transfers heading to play for Holloway, but I still have faith that Dual’s two-way talent will stand out, especially with some early indications that he may be allowed to play as a lead guard. If that happens, I won’t say, “I told you so,” but my irrationality won’t look so irrational anymore.
Nick: I’m holding out hope for a big season for Scotty Middleton in Year Two in college following his transfer to Seton Hall. I bought in on him big-time prior to last season, which, unfortunately, was a disappointing season with limited playing time for him at Ohio State. Middleton still played solid defense and shot 45.2% from distance last season on 5.4 attempts per 40 minutes; with more consistent playing time and some more strength to help his game inside the arc, Middleton could break out quickly.
Rucker: I’m pretty pumped out of my mind to see what Xavier sophomore Dailyn Swain can do this year. He has good size at 6’8” and showed some flashes last year while playing alongside Desmond Claude (now with USC). Swain will be a popular name to keep an eye on as a potential leap candidate in the scouting world, especially with the potential for extended minutes.
Albert: I’m hoping for a sophomore-season leap from Jaylin Stewart. Stewart has good size for a wing at 6’7” and should shoot it better in year two. He could be a really interesting wing partner next to McNeeley and Karaban. Stewart had a quiet freshman season, but he will be relied upon to provide more in Year Two.
3. Unfortunately, there are two sides to that coin, and they do not have equal probabilities. Which prospect do you like but think has the most likely chance of failing to meet expectations?
Metcalf: I don’t want this to be the case because I still am really intrigued with him, but I’m hesitant about what Garwey Dual’s season may look like. Last season was rocky for Dual; hopefully, a new setting will pay dividends. I have zero concerns about the defense. What I worry about is the offense. I’d love for him to have taken a meaningful and tangible leap forward, but if it looks more or less the same, his draft stock is going to be in major trouble.
Rowan: There’s a sweet spot in my heart for shooting guards who emphasize their shooting, but I worry a bit about Kam Jones’s eventual NBA outlook. Don’t get me wrong—Jones is one of the better shooters and shot-creators in the Big East this season and should be a deserved favorite for Big East Player of the Year. At the next level, however, a few flags are trending in the red direction. Jones doesn’t have quite a good enough handle or passing bag to justify the on-ball reps he gets for the next level while also not being a great athlete or perimeter defender. That leaves him in a precarious position where a poor shooting year could tank his draft stock.
Austin: I see and respect Villanova guard Wooga Poplar’s potential as a 3-and-D guy at the next level, but his inconsistency and size mean I’m not sure we’ll ever see enough of the “good” to know what’s what. He volleys back and forth between audaciously turnover-prone and concerningly passive on the offensive end.
Nick: It feels iffy for me to target the same team for this answer as I did for the last one, but my hope for Scotty Middleton is mirrored by my concern for his fellow Seton Hall transfer Garwey Dual. Dual’s defense and athletic tools are still stellar, but I’m worried about what he can do offensively in a way that I’m not concerned about with Middleton. I’m not all the way out on Dual by any means, but I’m certainly nervous.
Rucker: Let me start this off by saying I’m a big fan of Marquette’s Kam Jones. I think he’s going to have a strong year for the Golden Eagles. That being said, Jones is coming off an impressive year in which he was efficient with his production. He averaged 17.2 PPG last year while shooting 50/40/72. But that was while playing alongside former teammates like Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro. Now, Jones is going to get all of the attention. I still think Jones will have a strong year, I’m just wondering if some might be “disappointed” if his numbers don’t take a big jump.
Albert: Kadary Richmond has been around forever and is now taking his talents to St. John’s and Coach Pitino. After a solid couple of seasons for Seton Hall, he’s coming in to be the number one option, and I think it’s fair to say that it might be difficult for him to improve upon his solid numbers for Seton Hall last season (15.7 PTS, 7.0 REB, 5.1 AST) in his new home.
4. The shiny new thing is always the most enticing to go after, but there is always a ton of value in older prospects. Based on their previous college seasons, which returning player are you most excited to watch and has the best NBA potential?
Metcalf: Scotty Middleton was a really intriguing 3-and-D wing coming out of high school, but he never got consistent run at Ohio State. Similar to Dual, I’m really hoping that a new setting will do wonders for his game. I got to see Middleton in person last year and came away really encouraged with his long term upside. Hopefully, he’s coming back with a significant strength gain to pair with his promising off-ball shooting and defense.
Rowan: Dan Hurley knows how to coach players into better versions of themselves and has a great eye for talented prospects. Alex Karaban exists at this intersection, as he came to UConn as a four-star recruit and has slowly worked his way up to his current lead dog standing on the team. Karaban is a deadly shooter, does the little things well on both ends and has slowly expanded his driving and rebounding talent to the point where it’s a legitimate plus for him in both areas. With a bit more on-ball defensive polish and a season as a featured offensive weapon, Karaban’s developmental trajectory should send him straight to the NBA, where he can make a smart team quite happy.
Austin: It’s gotta be Creighton center and Big East Preseason Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner. Let’s not repeat the Zach Edey thing and overthink how Kalkbrenner’s game will end up translating in the pros. He’s an incredible shot blocker who can pass out of the paint and, despite not having high-level agility or speed, moves well on the court. This guy will be a good NBA player. Count on it.
Nick: This is Alex Karaban for me, pretty clearly. He spent a decent portion of last season in or near the Top 30 on my board, and I have a first round grade on him heading into this season. His shooting touch, shooting versatility, and size make it very easy to envision him in an NBA context, and he should have opportunities this season to see if he can expand his offensive game with Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan moving on to the NBA.
Rucker: I’m probably the most intrigued to see what UConn wing Alex Karaban could do with another year. The Huskies are coming off back-to-back National Championships, and I thought Karaban could have been a potential riser in NBA Draft circles last year before he decided to return. Karaban should be “the guy” this year for the Huskies. That could make things even more exciting for his NBA future. Karaban is a crafty player who stands out with his floor spacing and feel for the game. He does the little things on the court that should generate plenty of fans in NBA front offices.
Albert: Ryan Kalkbrenner might not have the brightest NBA future, but you know he will be a handful every night on both ends of the floor. His production has been insane and will continue to be great this coming season. Creighton will be relying on him to carry them on both ends of the floor, and the veteran looks primed to do it again this season and hopefully improve upon his already gaudy stat line. I’m not saying they’re the same player, but Zach Edey improved year after year and eventually got drafted in the first round. Kalkbrenner may never go first round, but another strong year could be enough to get him drafted in the second round.
5. Whether it’s Anthony Edwards dropping 37 points against Michigan State, or Austin Rivers ripping the heart out of UNC fans, or De’Aaron Fox vs. Lonzo Ball, fans are provided with mesmerizing matchups and performances every season. Which matchup, whether team vs. team, player vs. player, or player vs. team, are you most looking forward to watching?
Metcalf: UConn vs Seton Hall on March 8th to end the season. There’s a lot of talent between both of these squads, and I’m really excited to see what their final matchup looks like once both teams have an entire season to scout and prepare for each other.
Rowan: UConn deserves their flowers for a reason, and in some ways two, given their past two championship years. That makes any of their marquee matchups must-watches, given they boast pro talent every season. This year’s game against St. John’s should be a great litmus test for both squads with high aspirations for the year. Alex Karaban, Liam McNeeley, and Aidan Mahaney will all give the Red Storm problems, but so should Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and RJ Luis. Add in some underrated players like Tarris Reed, Ruben Prey, Solomon Ball, and Simeon Wilcher, and you have a banger game just waiting to happen from a scouting and fan perspective.
Austin: UConn-Creighton on January 18th. I want to see how well Liam McNeeley’s strength holds up against Creighton’s size (see: Ryan Kalkbrenner) in my ongoing quest to decide where (3? 4? …5?) he could end up playing in the NBA. Additionally, any game that the Huskies play is essentially a pre-draft exhibition at this point. McNeeley, Stewart, Karaban, Mahaney? Come on.
Nick: UConn vs. Seton Hall on March 8th. Having that game right before March Madness begins should only ratchet up the excitement level for a game that I would have easily picked for this category regardless.
Rucker: UConn at Marquette on February 1st. I want to see what Chase Ross and Kam Jones can do this year for the Golden Eagles. For different reasons, I believe that duo could have a future at the next level given their abilities on the basketball court. UConn will have plenty of names to keep an eye on like Liam McNeeley and Alex Karaban—and don’t sleep on Jaylin Stewart, either.
Albert: UConn vs Creighton on January 18th. It will be interesting to watch this UConn team all season, but seeing them go up against Ryan Kalkbrenner and the rest of that Creighton squad should be a good test.