Conference Previews: Big East
A.J. Price will try to lead UConn to a Big East title. (ESPN)
By Ryan Feldman
rfeldman@thehoopsreport.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
Projected All-Conference First Team
Luke Harangody 6-8 Jr. PF Notre Dame
Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 Jr. C UConn
DeJuan Blair 6-7 So. PF Pitt
Sam Young 6-6 Sr. SF Pitt
Scottie Reynolds 6-2 Jr. PG Villanova
Projected All-Conference Second Team
Jonny Flynn 6-0 So. PG Syracuse
Earl Clark 6-9 Jr. SF Louisville
Levance Fields 5-10 Sr. PG Pitt
A.J. Price 6-2 Sr. PG UConn
Terrence Williams 6-6 Sr. SF Louisville
Projected All-Conference Third Team
Eric Devendorf 6-4 Jr. SG Syracuse
Jeff Adrien 6-7 Sr. PF UConn
DaJuan Summers 6-8 Jr. PF Georgetown
Jerel McNeal 6-3 Sr. SG Marquette
Kyle McAlarney 6-0 Sr. SG Notre Dame
Honorable Mention: Paul Harris 6-4 Jr. SF Syracuse, Dominic James 5-11 Sr. PG Marquette, Deonta Vaughn 6-1 Jr. PG Cincinnati, Domninque Jones 6-4 So. SG South Florida, Samardo Samuels 6-8 Fr. PF Louisville, Jerome Dyson 6-4 Jr. SG UConn, Tory Jackson 5-11 Jr. PG Notre Dame, Kemba Walker 6-1 Fr. PG UConn, Greg Monroe 6-11 Fr. C Georgetown, Lazar Hayward 6-6 Jr. SF Marquette, Wesley Matthews 6-5 Sr. SG Marquette, Mike Rosario 6-3 Fr. SG Rutgers
Projected Player of the Year: Luke Harangody 6-8 Jr. PF Notre Dame
Projected Standings
1. UConn
2. Louisville
3. Georgetown
4. Villanova
5. Notre Dame
6. Pitt
7. Syracuse
8. Marquette
9. West Virginia
10. Providence
11. Rutgers
12. Cincinnati
13. DePaul
14. Seton Hall
15. St. John's
16. South Florida
The best way to describe the Big East is to say that it's loaded. Just look at the honorable mention list above. Just look at the teams that are ranked in the middle of the conference. This very well could be the best college basketball conference in any given year of all-time.
UConn comes in as the favorite to win the Big East, although the Huskies lost six players during the offseason. Three players transferred, two players are ineligible, and one player was expelled. Luckily, Stanley Robinson and freshman Ater Majok may return to the roster in December. Until then, the Huskies will lack depth but will still have a strong starting lineup, led by A.J. Price and Hasheem Thabeet.
Louisville lost some key seniors but returns a very strong roster. The Cardinals will be led by do-it-all forwards Earl Clark and Terrence Williams. Edgar Sosa, Jerry Smith and Andre McGee need to step it up in a backcourt that averaged less than six assists per game last season between the three of them. If the backcourt does step up and freshman Samardo Samuels proves to be a force in the middle from the get-go, this team can be very dangerous.
Georgetown lost some of its depth with a couple of transfers and the graduation of Roy Hibbert and Jonathan Wallace, but still returns a solid starting lineup. DaJuan Summers and Jessie Sapp are experienced players, but sophomores Chris Wright and Austin Freeman and freshman Greg Monroe will step into the starting lineup. Expectations are lower this year for the Hoyas, but don't expect them to miss a beat.
Villanova return its entire roster from last season, minus a transfer. It seems like Scottie Reynolds has been at Nova forever, but he's actually only half way done his career. Reynolds is the star, but he has many capable role players around him. If sophomores Corey Stokes or Corey Fisher can prove to be a reliable second option, the 'Cats could surprise people and end up near the top of the conference.
Notre Dame has its "Big Three" with returning Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody, Kyle McAlarney and Tory Jackson. But it's the other players on the team who will decide the fate of the Fighting Irish. Players like Luke Zeller and Zach Hillesland will have to step up in order for Notre Dame to challenge for a Big East crown.
Any of the Big East teams in the top half of the conferene could be rated anywhere. Sure, Pitt could win the conference, but the Panthers also ccould finish near the middle of the pack. It all depends on the health of the team. With Levance Fields and Gilbert Brown banged up to start the season, injuries are already an issue once again. Speaking of a "Big Three," Pitt has the ultimate trio with Fields, DeJuan Blair and Sam Young. If the injuries continue to hurt the Panthers, depth could become an issue.
Syracuse lost super freshman Donte Greene, but could actually be better this season. Eric Devendorf, who missed almost all of last season, and Andy Rautins, who missed the entire season, both return from injuries. Sophomore point guard Jonny Flynn will try to finally lead the Orange back to the NCAA tournament.
Marquette had four players who averaged more than 11 points per game last season, and all four of them return. With an experienced foursome of Jerel McNeal, Dominic James, Lazar Hayward and Wesley Matthews, the Golden Eagles should easily be an NCAA tournament team once again and could possibly compete for a Big East title.
West Virginia had a successful 2007-08 season in Bob Huggins' first year as head coach, advancing to the Sweet 16 after upsetting Duke, but the Mountaineers lost Joe Alexander. This season's version of West Virginia should be an exciting one. An exceptional freshman class that includes Devin Ebanks, Darryl "Truck" Bryant and Kevin Jones adds to a solid core of returning players. This team may struggle at times, but with Huggins in charge expect the Mountaineers to return to the NCAA tournament.
The headline for Providence is the addition of new head coach Keno Davis, who was the Drake head coach last season. The Friars return five double-digit scorers and junior point guard Sharaud Curry, who had to sit out last season with a foot injury.
Rutgers may be the most exciting team in the Big East to watch this season. After struggling last season with just three conference wins, Fred Hill brought in the best recruiting class in Rutgers history with four top-100 players. This team will have great depth at every position and has the potential to pull off some upsets this season.
Cincinnati was a team that pulled off some upsets of its own last year. With Deonta Vaughn back and 7-foot-2 center John Riek set to join the team in December, Cincy could be dangerous once again.
Every team in the Big East, even the bottom teams, would have a much better chance of making the NCAA tournament in any other conference. Unfortunately for teams like DePaul, Seton Hall, St. John's and South Florida, they are in the Big East and they will struggle. There is little doubt that Seton Hall, St. John's and South Florida will all be lucky to win a few conference games, but DePaul could possibly end up at the top of the bottom if sophomore Dar Tucker blossoms into a standout scorer.
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