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BIG EAST
Kris Jenkins three pointer as time expired to win Villanova’s second national championship will long be remembered, both in Philadelphia and across the nation, as one of the all-time great March Madness highlights. It is shots like that which make the NCAA Tournament the greatest sporting event in the world (in our opinions at least). And it was that shot which sent notice to the rest of the college basketball world that the Big East, despite its breakup, realignment, and move to a non-football conference is still a legitimate top-tier power conference that cannot be overlooked. Although the Wildcats were the only Big East school to make it out of the first weekend of the Tournament last year, the league did put half its members in, including 2-seed Xavier, 6-seed Seton Hall and a pair of 9-seeds in Butler and Providence. Creighton also played postseason basketball, appearing in the NIT.
This year, the Big East looks to once again be a battle between the defending national champions and the Xavier Musketeers. Both teams return a ton of their keys players and have added a few more pieces to make up for the ones they lost in the offseason. Seton Hall appears to have enough guns to return to the Big Dance, while Creighton will be looking to exchange an NIT appearance for an NCAA. Finally, don’t overlook Marquette or Georgetown. The Hoyas will look to bounce back from a very disappointing season and regain their usual position among the league’s top teams.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Villanova – Jalen Brunson appears ready to take over at the point for Ryan Arcidiacono, while Fordham transfer Eric Paschall could help down low replacing Daniel Ochefu, but prized freshman recruit Omari Spellman being ruled academically ineligible to play this season will hurt. This team has enough pieces to win the Big East, but another Final Four run may be a stretch.
2. Xavier – Even with Myles Davis suspended indefinitely, the Musketeers have a ton of backcourt pieces led by Edmond Sumner and Trevon Bluiett. Experience in the frontcourt is a bit of a question mark, but keep an eye on Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston.
3. Seton Hall – Even without Isaiah Whitehead, the Pirates have tons of options including Khadeen Carrington, Desi Rodriguez, freshman Myles Powell and Kansas State transfer Jevon Thomas (Thomas will not be eligible to play until after the first semester ends).
4. Creighton – The Bluejays could have their best post-Doug McDermott team with the lethal backcourt combo of Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster and Maurice Watson, Jr. Cole Huff and redshirt freshman Justin Patton will need to be the keys down low.
5. Marquette – Transfers Andrew Rowsey (UNC Asheville) and Katin Reinhardt (USC) will both help in the backcourt, and with Luke Fischer down low, Henry Ellenson may not be missed much at all.
6. Georgetown – D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera is gone, but everyone else is back, including Isaac Copeland and Bradley Hayes down low. Junior college transfer Jonathan Mulmore, Robert Morris transfer Rodney Pryor and returnee L.J. Peak will need to all step up in the backcourt.
7. Butler – The Bulldogs will be solid down low with Andrew Chrabascz and Kelan Martin back, but it remains to be seen if Tyler Lewis and Memphis transfer Avery Woodson are enough outside to make up for the losses of Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham.
8. Providence – The Friars just don’t appear to have enough pieces to make up for the losses of Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil.
9. DePaul – With a new arena coming next season, and Dave Leitao beginning to recruit in some talent, things are starting to look up for the Blue Demons. We just don’t expect to see any vast improvements this year.
10. St. John’s – After a very rough first year, Chris Mullin is starting to bring in the recruits and may prove in time that he was the right man for this job. The Red Storm should be better than last year’s 1-17 Big East record this time around, but probably not much better.
For the Hoops HD Video Podcast Preview of the Big East – CLICK HERE