The new Big East is as difficult a league to project as any in the entire country. Butler, Xavier and Creighton have joined seven programs from the old Big East to form a "basketball-centric league" that doesn't have much separation from one to eight. Even the bottom of the league has made strides and won't be a compete walkover.
There's no clear favorite. Creighton brings back a superstar, Georgetown lost its stud, Marquette will be a factor despite significant turnover and Villanova returns the core from a team that went dancing a year ago. St. John's and Xavier should be improved after sub-par seasons while Ed Cooley could have Providence in the hunt. We haven't even mentioned a Butler team that no longer has Brad Stevens at the helm.
Plenty of questions abound -- and we help you answer them in our Big East Preseason Power Rankings.
1. Marquette Golden Eagles
Buzz Williams and the Golden Eagles lost a bunch of last season's team. Vander Blue made a poor decision and decided to leave school early, and the team also lost true point guard Junior Cadougan and fellow starter Trent Lockett. However, this program has been pretty successful since Williams took over five years ago, going to the NCAA tournament each time and winning at least 22 games in five consecutive seasons. Marquette will need Jamil Wilson to step into a starring role, and he's certainly more than capable.
One thing Williams does possess is two quality, veteran big men in Davante Gardner and Chris Otule. The key could come at the point guard position where junior Derrick Wilson and freshman Duane Wilson will battle for the starting spot. Marquette brings in a talented five-man recruiting class that should help, one that includes long and talented Memphis wing JaJuan Johnson and strong Milwaukee native Deonte Burton.
The rest of the list:
2. Creighton
3. Villanova
4. Georgetown
5. Xavier
6. St. John's
7. Providence
8. Butler
9. Seton Hall
10. DePaul
IMHO I think he is right on. The only change I would make is dropping Xavier below Providence. And I really think Creighton and us are neck and neck, could even be above us.
Wow, Villanova that high?
Give me:
1. MU
2. CU
3. GTown
4. STJ
5. Prov
6. Nova
7. X
8. DePaul
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
I'm jumping on the PC bandwagon. Also I just can't find it in me to count out JTIII, and despite the return of D-McD, I don't think that Artino and Wragge are enough of a supporting cast to keep CU at the same level... if teams start Harangodying D-McD - and they will - CU is going to run into just enough trouble to keep them out of title contention.
1. MU
2. GU
3. CU
4. PC
5. VU
6. X
7. SJU
8. BU
9. SHU
10. Derp
Quote from: Benny B on August 08, 2013, 11:21:34 AM1. MU
2. GU
3. CU
4. PC
5. VU
6. X
7. SJU
8. BU
9. SHU
10. Derp
Benny, I think your list is just about spot on. Creighton will be solid, but I still see this as a Marquette/Georgetown battle and feel Providence is better than people expect. The biggest debate I would have with your list is whether or not Xavier and St. John's should be flipped. Christon will be a great player and Lavin has yet to prove he can really win with all the talent he's recruited, so I can see where you are coming from.
DePaul will make at least the NIT this year book it. Then be right back in the basement next year. It kind of reminds me of the 07 DePaul team that nearly made the ncaa tournament
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on August 08, 2013, 12:37:16 PM
DePaul will make at least the NIT this year book it. Then be right back in the basement next year. It kind of reminds me of the 07 DePaul team that nearly made the ncaa tournament
I agree.
It would be a mistake to discount Villanova. They only lose one player of consequence and replace him with two top 100 freshmen. I think they are a legitimate title contender and will be a high seed in the tourney this year.
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on August 08, 2013, 12:37:16 PM
DePaul will make at least the NIT this year book it. Then be right back in the basement next year. It kind of reminds me of the 07 DePaul team that nearly made the ncaa tournament
Maybe that's what people mean when they call DePaul a "sleeping giant" - several years of sleep, occasionally interrupted by an epic run to the NIT. Kinda like a giant waking up and using the restroom....
Quote from: GooooMarquette on August 08, 2013, 02:06:24 PM
Maybe that's what people mean when they call DePaul a "sleeping giant" - several years of sleep, occasionally interrupted by an epic run to the NIT. Kinda like a giant waking up and using the restroom....
Heh....
Quote from: GooooMarquette on August 08, 2013, 02:06:24 PM
Maybe that's what people mean when they call DePaul a "sleeping giant" - several years of sleep, occasionally interrupted by an epic run to the NIT. Kinda like a giant waking up and using the restroom....
Hey man Depaul making the NIT is better than nothing for our conference.
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on August 08, 2013, 02:19:57 PM
Hey man Depaul making the NIT is better than nothing for our conference.
Agree - the more teams in the postseason, the better. I just get a chuckle from the "sleeping giant" references we see from time to time.
To me the biggest wild card is St. John's. They are loaded with talent and if they can keep everyone healthy and Lavin finally puts it together I could see them challenging for a conference title.
Quote from: GooooMarquette on August 08, 2013, 02:34:25 PM
Agree - the more teams in the postseason, the better. I just get a chuckle from the "sleeping giant" references we see from time to time.
If Depaul is a sleeping giant then it must've gone to town on nyquil. By the way who did Depaul have on the team the last time they made the tournament in 04?
Edit: Found out it was Drake Deiner
Curious .. Creighton is good this year. What about next year?
Quote from: PTM on August 08, 2013, 10:38:00 AM
Wow, Villanova that high?
Give me:
1. MU
2. CU
3. GTown
4. STJ
5. Prov
6. Nova
7. X
8. DePaul
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
I'm not buying Creighton that high.
1. Marquette
2. Georgetown
3. Villanova
4. Providence
5. Creighton
6. St. John's
7. Xavier
8. DePaul
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on August 08, 2013, 03:57:18 PM
Curious .. Creighton is good this year. What about next year?
Well no defense + losing pretty much all their offense would probably place them behind Depaul and Seton Hall
I hate predictions normally I prefer to just critique other people's predictions. But I was bored.
1. Marquette (NCAA)
2. Villanova (NCAA)
3. GTown (NCAA)
T4. Creighton/SJU (NCAA)
5. Providence (NIT)
6. Depaul (NIT)
7. Xavier (NIT)
8. Butler (have no confidence in the new coach yet)
9. Seton Hall
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on August 08, 2013, 05:20:13 PM
I hate predictions normally I prefer to just critique other people's predictions. But I was bored.
1. Marquette (NCAA)
2. Villanova (NCAA)
3. GTown (NCAA)
T4. Creighton/SJU (NCAA)
5. Providence (NIT)
6. Depaul (NIT)
7. Xavier (NIT)
8. Butler (have no confidence in the new coach yet)
9. Seton Hall
As long as we are critiquing;
6. Providence
7. DePaul
8. Xavier
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
Quote from: bilsu on August 08, 2013, 07:26:40 PM
As long as we are critiquing;
6. Providence
7. DePaul
8. Xavier
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
I thought if there was a tie the next place was after the tie not skipping a place
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on August 08, 2013, 07:55:57 PM
I thought if there was a tie the next place was after the tie not skipping a place
Nope... Unless there's a tie at the bottom, 10th place must be rewarded.
Quote from: Benny B on August 08, 2013, 08:19:26 PM
Nope... Unless there's a tie at the bottom, 10th place must be rewarded.
Gotcha. Well then my predictions are what Bilsu said.
Quote from: frozena pizza on August 08, 2013, 02:58:25 PM
To me the biggest wild card is St. John's. They are loaded with talent and if they can keep everyone healthy and Lavin finally puts it together I could see them challenging for a conference title.
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one aware that St. John's has talent (which they've had since Lavin's first recruiting class) combined with some depth and experience for the first time under Lavin (except his first year when Lavin inherited 9 senior from the previous coach). Look for Sir'Dominic Pointer to be in the running for Big East sixth man of the year.
This is the correct prediction.
Quote from: Aughnanure on August 08, 2013, 04:02:11 PM
I'm not buying Creighton that high.
1. Marquette
2. Georgetown
3. Villanova
4. Providence
5. Creighton
6. St. John's
7. Xavier
8. DePaul
9. Butler
10. Seton Hall
Quote from: ResidentBrown on August 09, 2013, 04:28:07 AM
This is the correct prediction.
I agree. I also think 1-6 will have a shot at the dance, with 5 and 6 getting at least hot and heavy bubble consideration.
I think Creighton will be better than last season, not worse like some people seem to think. They lose virtually nobody and bring back Dougie McBuckets. This is not a team to be taken lightly. We probably won't be favored to win our conference opener.
There are quite a few teams this year that are hard to predict. Nova, Providence, Butler, and St. John's could all be good (i.e. tourney bid) but I doubt it. At least one of those four will be a disappointment. Maybe two. It is hard to tell.
Quote from: Analytical Eagle on August 09, 2013, 11:44:40 PM
I think Creighton will be better than last season, not worse like some people seem to think. They lose virtually nobody and bring back Dougie McBuckets. This is not a team to be taken lightly. We probably won't be favored to win our conference opener.
Echinique is a significant loss for a team that can shoot it like Creighton.
I saw someone mention that Creighton's been experimenting with McDermott at the five and Wragge as a stretch four. Could lead to some interesting matchups on MU's end.
Quote from: Analytical Eagle on August 09, 2013, 11:44:40 PM
I think Creighton will be better than last season, not worse like some people seem to think. They lose virtually nobody and bring back Dougie McBuckets. This is not a team to be taken lightly. We probably won't be favored to win our conference opener.
They may certainly be better, but their conference record and position won't be.
Quote from: Aughnanure on August 10, 2013, 03:04:44 PM
They may certainly be better, but their conference record and position won't be.
I hope you're right. But I wouldn't be so sure. KP had Creighton ranked above everyone in the New BEast last season except for Georgetown. I don't think they are as far behind as we may think.