{"id":227059,"date":"2025-10-20T14:23:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/227059\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T14:23:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:23:08","slug":"2025-26-big-east-preview-no-ceilings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/227059\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-26 Big East Preview – No Ceilings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The start of the college basketball season is right around the corner, as the NBA preseason is close to wrapping up. While some of the top overseas prospects have already started their seasons internationally, the NCAA players are working through their exhibition games before the 2025-26 season officially begins.<\/p>\n

Before that, though, we\u2019re diving deep into the 2026 NBA Draft class with our traditional conference preview roundtables. Without further ado, here is our second conference roundtable on the Big East.<\/p>\n

Rucker<\/a>: I\u2019m proud to say that Stephen Gillaspie and I started the \u201cBraylon Mullins Fan Club\u201d and we couldn\u2019t be more excited with the amount of sign-ups. On a serious note, I think Mullins has the chance to explode in this draft class. He\u2019s a LETHAL shooter from outside who can hurt defenses with movement shooting or with his quick release as a catch-and-shoot weapon. However, that\u2019s just the beginning of Mullins\u2019s intrigue. He\u2019s extremely active off the ball, showcasing great awareness to give defenders headaches when they are chasing him around. Mullins has the athletic pop you\u2019d want from a 6\u20196\u201d shooter, and he can get after it on the defensive side of the ball. This UConn team looks to have a very fun balance this year, and Mullins could be one who explodes in the scouting world.<\/p>\n

Albert<\/a>: This is boring as hell, but I have Braylon Mullins at #7 on my preseason big board. What more do you need to hear? I think he\u2019s gonna be terrific.<\/p>\n

Maxwell<\/a>: I\u2019m also on the Braylon Mullins bandwagon. I do worry a little bit about his frame. Outside of that, though, sheesh\u2014he\u2019s an unreal movement shooter with limitless range. I also think he\u2019s been underrated as both a passer and defender. There are just so many ways you can weaponize a guy like that at the next level.<\/p>\n

Jam<\/a>: I\u2019m on the Braylon Mullins train, but for the sake of going against the grain, Acaden Lewis is next up for me. The lefty is just so dynamic with the ball in his hands. He brings the mix of creative multiple-level scoring, slick ball handling, and passing upside that\u2019s coveted in lead guards. Lewis is in an excellent situation at Villanova to grow and learn through mistakes with the ball in his hands and potentially a ton of usage. Lewis might not be one and done, but I\u2019m in long-term on the potential Big East Freshman of the Year.<\/p>\n

Metcalf<\/a>: You\u2019ve already read it all. It\u2019s Braylon Mullins. He\u2019s a Top 10 guy to start the year for me; he\u2019s a lethal shooter, good defender, and versatile off-ball scorer. Given the consensus here, I do start to worry or wonder what we\u2019re missing, but it\u2019s not even close for me to start the year.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/a>: Some may think that this speaks to the quality of prospects in this conference, but I have been high on Braylon Mullins\u2019s NBA future for months. He is going to draw heavy interest due to his shooting, and rightfully so; he can get his shot off in a phone booth. However, he isn\u2019t just a shooter. Mullins shows some encouraging playmaking. It\u2019s nothing earth-shattering, but Braylon\u2019s film shows a player who can make quick decisions on the move, which forces teams to defend him honestly. His defense is going to be more effort-based, but he isn\u2019t going to be a revolving door. With the recent draft successes of Reed Sheppard and Kon Knueppel (yeah, I did it), I have a hard time believing Mullins won\u2019t be a riser for those who doubt him early.<\/p>\n

Corey<\/a>: Add me to the list of Mullins fans. I have him at #7 on my preseason big board and feel great about it. You can make a pretty strong case that he\u2019s the best shooter in the class. He\u2019s a killer off movement, and not just due to the shot itself; he\u2019s an advanced mover and manipulator who understands angles and pacing to free himself up. Then there\u2019s the lightning-quick release and the very aesthetically pleasing form. He\u2019s no slouch athletically either, having registered 19 dunks in 20 games on the 3SSB circuit. I\u2019m a believer in the defense, too. He can slide his feet and embraces physicality. Young, tall, real-deal shooters have a tendency to land in the Top 10, and if Mullins makes shots with the efficiency I think he will for the Huskies, then he will too.<\/p>\n

Jacob<\/a>: I\u2019d be shocked if the universal answer wasn\u2019t Braylon Mullins. The five-star recruit was one of, if not the best, shooters in his class. Teams will be captivated by his ability to create open looks, as he constantly relocates, coming across screens sharply and utilizing a variety of cuts. Mullins is a dead-eye from any range, with a quick trigger. Dan Hurley is notorious for maximizing his shooters, whether it was Jordan Hawkins or Cam Spencer. He\u2019s also way more than the stereotypical sniper. Mullins finds open lanes to the rim to finish in a variety of ways, all while being a sneaky, creative passer. Add on that he\u2019s a solid team defender who consistently makes hustle plays, and the result is a highly scalable wing.<\/p>\n

Rowan<\/a>: While the Big East\u2019s teams are a formidable pack of contenders this season, the draft talent is a bit more uncertain. With that being said, UCONN\u2019s Braylon Mullins has the best case to go highly in this draft class from the conference. He\u2019s one of the most dangerous freshman shooters in the country, whether off the catch or on the move, and that sort of gravity is highly valued at the NBA level. Adding his burgeoning passing game, some cliche \u201csneaky\u201d athleticism, and solid finishing chops to the mix paints a clear picture of who the best prospect in the Big East is by a clear margin.<\/p>\n

Nathan<\/a>: There\u2019s no deviation here from the No Ceilings consensus with my answer: Braylon Mullins is heading to UConn with serious momentum as a frosh wing shooter. It\u2019s not just the fact that Mullins can hit open threes, but it\u2019s the types of looks he can get for himself. The NBA is all about versatile shot-making. Rarely are players just assigned to the corner and barely move outside of occasionally lifting up to the wing for a look. Mullins can cut, work off screens, operate a handoff, and pressure the rim downhill. He\u2019s an underrated athlete, a relentless competitor, and an underrated defender. I wish he were a smidge bigger, but his toughness and bounce should make up for it. He\u2019s a real-deal prospect.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/a>: Even with ignoring consensus and groupthink, the answer is pretty clearly Braylon Mullins. His ability to knock down three-pointers from a variety of angles and on a variety of play types makes him exactly the kind of versatile shooter that teams covet.<\/p>\n

Rucker<\/a>: Blake Harper is my guy. I found myself down a rabbit hole last year and somehow ended up watching Howard basketball on Synergy. Before I knew it, I found myself saying, \u201cwho the heck is this kid?!\u201d Immediately, Harper became a name I was circling on my watchlist for the foreseeable future. After Harper announced he was entering the transfer portal, I thought he was one of the top prospects available. There\u2019s a chance Creighton can be a bit of a juggernaut this year due to their potential floor spacing upside across the board. Add Harper to the mix, and this is a player I think could really make some noise rather quickly in the scouting world. Harper has great size and versatility on the offensive side of the ball. He knows how to set the table, and he showcases a great recognition of when it\u2019s \u201ctime\u201d to create his own. I\u2019ll be fascinated to see how he looks early in the year, because the foundation is legit for him to buzz quickly.<\/p>\n

Albert<\/a>: I\u2019ve been an Oziyah Sellers fan for years. I wrote about him a couple of seasons ago when he was at USC. I think the guy is a deadly shooter who has some real on-ball ability as well. It looks like Coach Pitino is looking to put the ball in his hands quite a bit this season, so I\u2019m excited to see how that goes. This could be the year that he puts everything together.<\/p>\n

Maxwell<\/a>: I\u2019ve been a Tarris Reed guy dating back to his prep days. He\u2019s absolutely massive. He crushes opponents with screens. He\u2019s an awesome finisher who can send home jams or convert with touch. He completely dominates the glass. Defensively, he can anchor a defense in drop, and he\u2019s surprisingly nimble when switched down. I get that older centers with a \u201cbasic\u201d skill set aren\u2019t the sexiest proposition, but Tarris Reed is fantastic at the things most big men are asked to do on a consistent basis. I said this in my No Stone Unturned piece, and I\u2019ll say it again here\u2014he\u2019s a first round guy for me.<\/p>\n

Jam<\/a>: Blake Harper. I\u2019ve had the pleasure of watching his incredible journey and growth here in the DMV since his middle school years. He\u2019s more than ready to step into a Creighton squad that\u2019s eyeing a deep March run. Harper is arguably the most versatile wing in the country. Also, as the son of a coach, he possesses many of the vital qualities of an impactful NBA wing: feel, strength, size, ball skills, shooting, and toughness. Don\u2019t be surprised to hear his name in the Big East Player of the Year conversation.<\/p>\n

Metcalf<\/a>: I love a lot of the names mentioned, but to mix it up a bit, I\u2019ll go with Zuby Ejiofor at St. John\u2019s. Going back to Kansas, Ejiofor has always shown flashes and glimpses of impressive stuff, but last year he took his game to a whole new level. The game finally seemed to slow down a ton for him last year, and things really started to click to a whole new level. With another year, and even more offensive infusion into the roster, Ejiofor could have a monster season.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/a>: I hate to be an echo on here, but\u2026BRAYLON MULLINS. I have him #6 on my board and could easily have him #5. Sheppard was taken third in his class, and Kon was selected with the #4 pick a few months ago. The NBA values floor spacing regardless of what the team\u2019s priorities are. Contenders need them to optimize their star players. Rebuilding teams need them to open the floor up for their budding talent. Mullins is this year\u2019s example of such a player.<\/p>\n

Corey<\/a>: I just can\u2019t quit Marquette\u2019s Chase Ross. I wrote about Chase ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft Cycle as a possible breakout candidate after having been impressed by him in limited minutes when I attended the 2023 Big East Tournament. That breakout didn\u2019t quite occur as fast as I\u2019d have hoped, but Chase has made steady improvements over the last two seasons, and with the departure of Kam Jones, Chase looks poised to make one final leap with an opportunity to see some increased usage. That on-ball equity isn\u2019t the long-term sell anyway. Chase is an uber athletic power guard with good length who has the defensive chops and ancillary off-ball skills to serve as a disruptive bench guard. I envision a Gary Payton II-type role for him at the next level, just coming in off the bench and bringing athleticism and energy.<\/p>\n

Jacob<\/a>: I\u2019ve found myself in awe of Creighton\u2019s Blake Harper. At 6\u20197\u201d, Harper possesses a rare combination of size, shooting, and ball handling. He functioned as Howard\u2019s primary ball handler and scorer last season. The live dribble scoring really impressed, all while being tasked with setting the offensive tempo. Taking the jump to a stronger conference, Harper should thrive. He functions well within the flow of the offense through his connective passing, spot-up shooting, and reading defensive rotations. While struggling with efficiency issues last season, Creighton\u2019s depth should ease his offensive burden, and the statistical profile should improve.<\/p>\n

Rowan<\/a>: Last season, Creighton\u2019s Blake Harper earned MEAC Player of the Year as a freshman. Now, he\u2019ll head to one of the best conferences in the country, where I think he\u2019ll prove his worth right away. Harper is a ready-made scorer with real size, can hit shots off the dribble, and creates for himself in a way that teams have to respect. He will have to shift his role from being the man to part of a talented Blue Jays team, but I have faith he\u2019ll be able to give a whole new crop of opponents a steady dose of tough buckets this season.<\/p>\n

Nathan<\/a>: I\u2019m siding with Maxwell on this one and saying Tarris Reed. He was a sleeper last year who performed well as a backup center and has all of the tools to make the jump to a legitimate starter. He has size, length, and excellent hands. Reed cleans the glass, can block shots around the basket, and on offense, he\u2019s a post-up machine and slick passer\u2014not to mention that he should help out UConn\u2019s guards by setting hard screens and creating separation for those guys to operate. As long as he\u2019s in the best shape he can be in, Reed has the makings of a massive riser into the first round of 2026 big boards.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/a>: I\u2019m with Corey here on Chase Ross. He took a pretty sizable step up in terms of role last season, and he made huge strides as a playmaker. He has the kind of energy, athleticism, and shooting potential to be a sparkplug guard for an NBA team; if he can take another step forward this season, he could be in an excellent position to solidify his draft stock.<\/p>\n

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Rucker<\/a>: Acaden Lewis has been a name that has generated some buzz throughout the high school ranks coming into this season. He\u2019s a crafty left-handed guard who can really make some impressive plays on the basketball court that grab your attention quickly. I\u2019m a fan of Lewis, but I think the idea of him being a one-and-done could get a little tricky. Lewis does a great job of setting the table for his team, but I think there\u2019s going to need to be some patience when it comes to the offensive versatility coming together. He seems like a player who could really take some nice steps forward if he\u2019s patient.<\/p>\n

Albert<\/a>: Solo Ball? Like the prompt states, I like Solo Ball. I just wonder if he takes a massive leap this season for the Huskies. I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s gonna be able to show much more than he did last year for the Huskies. He was lights out as a shooter last season. Will he provide more juice on the ball? I\u2019m not so sure. Coach Hurley claims he\u2019s gotten stronger and worked on his handle and at-rim finishing, but we shall see.<\/p>\n

Maxwell<\/a>: I\u2019ve never been a big Ian Jackson guy. There aren\u2019t a lot of guys his size who pass so little on such high usage while also being subpar defenders who go on to find NBA success. I\u2019m open to seeing him in a new role, but I\u2019ve yet to seek anything that screams NBA VALUE to me.<\/p>\n

Jam<\/a>: This is a real tough one. I\u2019ll go with Ian Jackson. The match with St. John\u2019s is ideal, though. He\u2019ll be able to operate as a lead guard on a team that probably doesn\u2019t have a true facilitator, and for a coach who can bring the best out of his defensive tools to the forefront. I\u2019m just a bit skeptical that he\u2019ll be able to capitalize on the opportunity to take a significant step forward as a floor general.<\/p>\n

Metcalf<\/a>: I\u2019m struggling with a lot of the guards on St. John\u2019s, but I\u2019ll go with Joson Sanon. Some of his scoring stuff last year was a blast, but I always left wanting more and wondering what else he brought to the table. I worry about the playmaking with this team and am concerned it could devolve into too much my-turn-your-turn basketball. Sanon is talented, but I really need to see him do the little things and impact the game when he isn\u2019t just scoring.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/a>: Ian Jackson had a lot of supporters last season at UNC, and many are high on him as a player who can reclaim his draft stock. I\u2019m a bit more skeptical of that. St. John\u2019s has him listed at 6\u20195\u201d\u2014which would be great if that\u2019s what he truly measured at. He was listed at 6\u20194\u201d as a freshman. He did look very thin on tape, which showed in his interior offense, his defense, and his rebounding. As a guard, he also did not show much versatility as a playmaker. For his position, Ian needs to show that he can do more. With the way that St. John\u2019s roster has been assembled, I\u2019m not certain if more of what Jackson needs to show will be asked of him.<\/p>\n

Corey<\/a>: I think the Big East is fairly devoid of expectations for its prospects, but Alex Karaban has been a popular name within the draft space for a couple of years due to his size, feel, and theoretical shooting ability. I\u2019ve been pretty skeptical of any higher-end outcomes, having gotten a chance to see him a number of times in person over the last few years. He\u2019s an excellent college player who impacts winning in a real way, but while he made some improvements as a weakside shot blocker, he regressed as a shooter last season. If he isn\u2019t a lights-out shooter who wins with off-ball efficiency, then I\u2019m dubious about how that translates to the next level, given his inability to do much with the ball in his hands. He\u2019s a pro for sure; I just don\u2019t know if he\u2019s an NBA pro who gets a cup of coffee or if he\u2019s someone who becomes a reliable bench piece.<\/p>\n

Jacob<\/a>: Eric Reibe strung together some strong performances at U19 this summer, scoring double digits in six out of seven tournament games. He\u2019s supremely skilled for a seven-footer, displaying a smooth stroke and strong handle. Outside of that, his translation remains uncertain. Reibe struggles with physicality, whether it\u2019s absorbing contact in the post or holding his ground without getting moved off his spot. There\u2019s a lack of defensive prowess, lacking the mobility to guard on the perimeter while failing to generate blocks and contests at the rim. Hurley tends to gravitate towards physically imposing, defensive-oriented bigs- the opposite of Reibe\u2019s game, making me skeptical of his fit and long-term upside.<\/p>\n

Rowan<\/a>: I\u2019ve had KJ Lewis as a Top 60 draft prospect for two years straight, but his move to Georgetown may be what finally tempers my belief. I still like the squirrely two-way nature of Lewis\u2019s game, and when he\u2019s on, he\u2019s a force to be reckoned with, but being counted on to score or contribute consistently has not led to success for him. That\u2019s the role he\u2019ll have for the Hoyas, which doesn\u2019t bode well for their offense nor Lewis\u2019s chances to carve out a draftable role for his future team.<\/p>\n

Nathan<\/a>: I\u2019ve never fully understood KJ Lewis\u2019s game for multiple seasons now at Arizona, and I\u2019m struggling to see how he fits in at Georgetown next to some ball-dominant players in the backcourt like Malik Mack. Is Lewis going to shoot the cover off the ball in a complementary role? Will he make better decisions as more of an on-ball threat while some of the other guards work off what he can do? Lewis is an athletic guard who can slash and defend, but I question his decision-making at times and the other elements that could help him play off others. In the NBA, only so many players get to thrive with the ball in their hands at high usage.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/a>: I was skeptical of Joson Sanon as a prospect before his freshman season; while he had some impressive flashes as a scorer at Arizona State, he struggled with the rest of his game. The guard room at St. John\u2019s is crowded, and I\u2019m more optimistic about Ian Jackson, Oziyah Sellers, and some of the other talented players on this roster in a way that makes me wonder if Sanon could be the odd man out. He could easily prove me wrong, but I\u2019m not sure that this is the best situation for him to expand and develop his game.<\/p>\n

Rucker<\/a>: I imagine that Tarris Reed Jr. is going to be a popular answer here, so I\u2019m going to pull another one out of a hat. I\u2019m excited to see what Marquette\u2019s Chase Ross can do this year. Ross has been a fascinating plus-defender with awesome athleticism over the last couple of years. With guards such as Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones now off to the NBA, it\u2019s time for Ross to see if he can take his game to another level as \u201cthe guy.\u201d There are a lot of fun tools with Ross, who knows how to make an impact on the floor in a number of areas. If the offensive game can take a consistent step forward this year, he has the tools of a serious sleeper at the next level.<\/p>\n

Albert<\/a>: Anyone interested in KJ Lewis? After an impactful couple of seasons in Arizona, Lewis is looking to join the Georgetown squad and bring some of his toughness and proactivity. Lewis may never be a heavy volume scorer, but he\u2019s going to bring intensity on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n

Maxwell<\/a>: I\u2019m going to echo a lot of our crew with the Chase Ross sentiment. Obviously, the defensive playmaking is what will theoretically butter his bread at the next level. After doing a lot of work on his tape for my More Stones Unturned piece, though, I do think an offensive breakout could be in the cards. He can hit threes off movement, he\u2019s an absolute blur with his first step, and I think he\u2019s got some juice with his handle and passing arsenal that he hasn\u2019t really gotten to show off yet.<\/p>\n

Jam<\/a>: Solo Ball. The athletic two-way lefty made the sophomore leap last season while handling an increase in minutes and a larger role. He\u2019ll once again handle a big role as a primary offense option and versatile perimeter defender. Ball potentially offers a valuable and safe floor because of his defensive versatility, athletic slashing, off-ball prowess, and on-ball upside.<\/p>\n

Metcalf<\/a>: I\u2019m very excited to see how Jackson McAndrew\u2019s game has grown. The 6\u201910\u201d Creighton forward was a high-volume shooter last year in a pretty limited role. With a full summer of strength and conditioning, along with some very fun new transfers, McAndrew could be in for a fun year. Creighton\u2019s spacing is going to be incredible this season, and McAndrew should be a big reason why.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/a>: Are there any more Tarris Reed Jr. believers out there? Look, he is going to be heavily featured at a position that many high-level collegiate and current NBA bigs have been incredibly successful. Reed shows the requisite amount of strength that NBA bigs simply must have. He is a relentless rebounder and a defensive dandy. With a pro-ready frame and a team that will accentuate his strengths, I\u2019m pretty high on Tarris as a late-round first, which props you up pretty high in this conference.<\/p>\n

Corey<\/a>: It\u2019s Tarris Reed for me. I wrote about Reed\u2019s impressive statistical profile last season and why he was someone who needed to be on the radar. I almost expected him to dip his toes and test the draft waters last cycle. Given his less-than-ideal time at Michigan before his move to Storrs, though, it does make sense to come back even better as a senior and show that his junior year production was no fluke. He won\u2019t be everyone\u2019s cup of tea, given his limitations as a shooter, but his intersection of size, strength, and feel on both sides of the ball should make up for it. We know how older guys are viewed in the evaluation space, so I don\u2019t expect major love on boards and mocks, but Reed could be one of the safer bets to end up as one of the twenty best players from this class down the line.<\/p>\n

Jacob<\/a>: Alex Karaban and Taris Reed may be the better prospects, but I\u2019ve yet to sell my KJ Lewis stock. Is it because I\u2019m a sucker for strong point-of-attack guard defenders? Possibly. But the foundation for a solid NBA contributor is still there. He plays with an unmatched intensity that pairs well with his athletic prowess. Lewis majorly scores off the ball through cuts to the basket, quickly realizing when the defense rotates, giving him space to slash. The shooting has a long way to go, but his 80.7% free-throw mark is a strong indicator that his touch can extend beyond the three-point line.<\/p>\n

Rowan<\/a>: I\u2019ve enjoyed Tarris Reed Jr.\u2019s game since he played for my alma mater, the Michigan Wolverines, but his first season with UCONN showed that he still has an untapped ceiling that could lead him to the NBA. Reed Jr. has the requisite height and size combination to lock down the paint, good instincts about protecting the rim, and has grown into a steady finisher at the basket. Although his game may not be as varied as other big men, Reed Jr. could play a clear role at the NBA level, which should endear him to scouts and teams galore.<\/p>\n

Nathan<\/a>: Some may have already flown far away from Alex Karaban Island for this class. He\u2019s also not getting any younger by sticking around college basketball for another two semesters. However, there\u2019s a reason why he was discussed as an NBA Draft prospect. He\u2019s a strong forward who can make quick reads, shoot off the catch and off movement, cuts to the basket with great timing, and has a role as a backline help defender who can get his hands on the ball and block shots. Whether he\u2019s physically up to the task to come away from the basket and routinely switch onto perimeter players is a major question mark that we may already have the answer to. But Karaban can get his stock back in the right direction if he proves he\u2019s a lethal shooter at a clip that well passes the mark he connected on last season. The outlook for his chances of getting drafted in 2026 is grim, but I\u2019m not 100% out on Karaban figuring out how to land on an NBA roster and stick.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/a>: I feel bad that I got to this question after Nathan, because I was fully expecting to be the lone remaining No Ceilings crew member with a cabin remaining on Alex Karaban Island. Yes, last season was disappointing for Karaban and UConn as a whole. However, he took a step forward last year as a help defender, especially with his shot blocking. His fall-off as a three-point shooter percentage-wise last season was mostly due to an awful run at the start of 2025 that I don\u2019t think reflects his true talent as a sharpshooter. If he can boost his shooting percentages and be more consistent on both ends, there\u2019s still a place for his great connective passing and shooting at the NBA level.<\/p>\n

Rucker<\/a>: I\u2019m going to go with the UConn vs Arizona showdown early in the year. It\u2019ll be a great opportunity to see some heavy-hitting prospects, as well as some names that can make some noise in the ranks. Nice matchup of some scrappy guards from both sides, as well as some big-name prospects like Koa Peat, Dwayne Aristode, and Brayden Burries for Arizona, going up against the likes of Braylon Mullins, Solo Ball, and more from the Huskies.<\/p>\n

Albert<\/a>: December 2nd, UConn vs Kansas. Appointment viewing. Darryn Peterson and friends against the UConn Huskies. You know we\u2019re going to get some fireworks. I\u2019m calling it now, that game is going to overtime. It might end in a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n

Maxwell<\/a>: UConn at Creighton on 1\/31. I\u2019ve already harped on why I\u2019m bullish on Braylon Mullins and Tarris Reed. But I\u2019m also still fond of Alex Karaban as a plug-and-play pro. On the Creighton side, I\u2019m interested to see Josh Dix\u2019s progression, what Owen Freeman looks like in a new environment, how Blake Harper will adjust to better competition, and if Jackson McAndrews can round out his skill set. Simply put, it will be the Big East game with the most potential NBA talent on the floor.<\/p>\n

Jam<\/a>: February 4th, Creighton at Georgetown. Homecoming for Blake Harper in DC alongside fellow legitimate NBA prospects in Josh Dix, Jackson McAndrew, Owen Freeman, and Hudson Greer. Georgetown offers a collection of interesting prospects led by KJ Lewis and Caleb Williams.<\/p>\n

Metcalf<\/a>: UConn at Creighton. January 31st. Appointment viewing. Braylon Mullins, Tarris Reed, Josh Dix, Jackson McAndrew, Owen Freeman, and Blake Harper. Enough said.<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/a>: I\u2019m going to be looking to see Braylon Mullins against quality competition as early as possible. I\u2019m highlighting November 19th in a game against Arizona in Storrs, Connecticut. Arizona features some real NBA talent, which will serve as an early test of how Mullins could project in the NBA.<\/p>\n

Corey<\/a>: Give me all the games, baby! One of the joys of being a New York resident is getting to attend the Big East Tournament every season. While I\u2019ll be in person for many Big East games previous to the tourney, getting to spend 12 hours a day watching in person hoops to get eyes on every team\u2019s prospect is what we call the dream.<\/p>\n

Jacob<\/a>: February 6th, UConn at St John\u2019s. These two teams are the clear-cut powerhouses of the Big East this upcoming season, being ranked fourth and fifth in the first AP Poll, respectively. The guard matchups in this game are electric. UConn\u2019s Solo Ball, Silas Demary Jr, and Malachi Smith versus Ian Jackson, Oziyah Sellers, and Joson Sanon of the Red Storm. Plus, Braylon Mullins will really be tested against physical wing defenders in Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins.<\/p>\n

Rowan<\/a>: It\u2019s one of the first games of the season, but UConn\u2019s bout versus BYU will be a great litmus test for both squads. Getting to see AJ Dybantsa\u2019s first college minutes against one of the best coaches in the sport is beautiful, but how Braylon Mullins, Tarris Reed Jr., Solomon Ball, and Alex Karaban will all fit into the post-contending UConn roster will be the real story of whether their run at titles is over for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

Nathan<\/a>: I have UConn-Kansas as must-see TV from a scouting perspective, given the matchup between Darryn Peterson and Braylon Mullins. I have a bit of skepticism that Mullins can guard some true small forwards and bigger wings, but Peterson is the type of athlete he\u2019ll have to contend with in the backcourt at the NBA level. If Mullins can at least stick with Peterson and make his life more difficult in ball-screen situations, it would bode well for his draft stock. And on the other end, can Mullins hit shots over a variety of defenders and a variety of looks that Bill Self will scheme against him? That\u2019s not to mention Tarris Reed, who could really put himself on a pedestal with a big game against the Kansas frontcourt.<\/p>\n

Nick<\/a>: I\u2019m going with Albert and Nathan here\u2014UConn-Kansas is the headliner for me. I\u2019ll take any excuse I can to watch Darryn Peterson, and seeing how Braylon Mullins matches up against the Jayhawks will be a great test for him as well.<\/p>\n

Share No Ceilings<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The start of the college basketball season is right around the corner, as the NBA preseason is close…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":227060,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[49,48,459,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-227059","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227059\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/227060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}