Saturday, March 5, 2016

The Big East Season: FIN

Tourney Bound

1. Villanova - Jay Wright's club looks like a 1-seed once again as they've won their 3rd straight Big East regular season title. A veteran club, this team is a legit Final 4 threat. They're a shaky shooting team but Daniel Ochefu has been fantastic down the stretch. They lose Ochefu and Arcidiacono but everyone else is back next year. They should keep on humming along.

2. Xavier - Jay Bilas, a Coach K spokesman according to Badger PR man Tom Oates, identified Xavier early in the season as a Final 4 threat. I was skeptical . Thought they'd be good but they've been exceptional. They can go inside and outside on you. They can be shaky on defense at times and may be their undoing. Everyone is back next year except James Farr and Remy Abell. They will be a legit Top-5 team.

3. Seton Hall - Wrote about them earlier this week. Supremely talented young team could win the Big East tournament. Anything they accomplish in the tournament will be gravy. If everyone is back in 2016-17, they'll be a threat to win the league.

4. Providence - Kris Dunn won't win Big East POY and might not have been the best player on his team this year. That is probably Big Ben Bentil. They overachieved early and were never as good as their early lofty rankings. Still, a third straight tourney bid is in the offing. Everyone sans Dunn is back but the supporting cast was largely invisible this year. Looking like a middle of the pack Big East team again next year.

5. Butler - The Bulldogs at times have been an offensive juggernaught. One thing they haven't been is a very good defensive team. Kelan Martin has developed into their best player and returns next year. They lose Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham. May take a step back next year. Expect Chris Holtmann's name to come up for job openings.

Next Year

6. Creighton - The Bluejays got an absolute steal in Mo Watson as their PG. The Boston U transfer has been brilliant. They bring in some nice talent for 2016-17 and will be back in the tournament.

7. Marquette - A full autopsy comes later but this season was full of ups and downs. Ellenson is the only player leaving we know of. Very young team will be better and smarter. Toughness can be an issue (I hate that argument but with this team it's obvious). Expect a Seton Hall like jump.

10. St. John's - They may not be a tourney team next year but they'll be far better and competitive. Good talent coming in, involved with many high level recruits and a lot of talented freshmen got playing time and experience this year. We'll know a lot more about where this program is headed at the end of next year.

The Disappointment 

8. Georgetown - The Hoyas should not be 8th in the Big East. There is far more talent on this team than what they showed. Whether it was a bad mix or bad coaching, next year will be a big year for JTIII. They lose D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera but I'm not sure that hurts them. Most major contributors are back. Talent is there. What can they do with it?

Whatever 

9. DePaul - Get this fixed, DePaul. It's hard to believe at one point in my lifetime this team was actually ranked #1 and a powerhouse. I have no idea what they're doing in Chicago. As of now, this is clearly the worst program in the league

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