October 2013 | Page 13 of 25

NEW YORK — St. John’s had four players decorated with Big East Preseason honors and received two first-place votes in the Coaches’ Poll.

Yet somehow the Johnnies landed fifth among 10 teams.

Did a couple of coaches vote them eighth, ninth or 10th?

We may never know, but at least one coach believes Steve Lavin’s club has as much — if not more — talent than any team in the new-look league.

“I think they’re as good as anybody in the league,” said Marquette coach Buzz Williams, whose team was slotted first and received five first-place votes.

Articles, Kentucky

Kentucky Picked to Win SEC; Randle Preseason Player of the Year

October 16, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

To the surprise of virtually no one, Kentucky was picked to win the SEC, while Kentucky freshman forward Julius Randle was named the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.

Kentucky coach John Calipari has said he plans to play the 6-foot-9, 250-pound Randle away from the basket to help prepare him for the NBA. Randle is projected as the No. 2 pick in next year’s draft behind Andrew Wiggins of Kansas by DraftExpress.com.

“Well, what’s happening right now, we’re playing him in a position as though he’s a two or a three,” Calipari said at UK media day. “So he’s just now getting comfortable being — starting from 20 feet out.”

Articles, Big East

Big East & AAC Preseason Rankings and All-Conference Teams

October 16, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Here are the preseason rankings and All-Conference teams for the Big East and American Athletic Conference.

The Big East Preseason Player of the Year, Doug McDermott, is a kid from Iowa who’s never played a game in the Big East or Madison Square Garden.

The AAC Preseason Player of the Year, Russ Smith, is a kid from Brooklyn who’s never played a game in the AAC or a conference tournament game in Memphis.

BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL (1st place votes in parens)

1. Marquette (5)

2. Georgetown (2)

3. Creighton (1)

4. Villanova

5. St. John’s (2)

Andrew Wiggins

Wiggins Could Be Worth $180 Million

October 15, 2013

author: Adam Zagoria

Andrew Wiggins’ first shoe deal could be worth $180 million.

So says a couple of sneaker industry experts who spoke to Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report.

“From what I’m hearing, (Adidas) is really high on him,” an industry source told Zwerling. “I’ve heard a range for sure, from like $140 to $180 million for like 10 years. That’s a big deal for a kid coming out of school because most rookie deals are probably like four years.”

“I’m hearing from people at Kansas that he’s got a $180 million offer supposedly coming from Adidas,” a source close to Wiggins’ inner circle said. “But I also heard that Nike is going to match anything.”

Kentucky