My Big East Picks

[Bill Marsh]

1. Villanova
2. St. John's
3. Georgetown
4. Seton Hall
5. Providence
6. Marquette
7. Xavier
8. Butler
9. Creighton
10. DePaul

Villanova is obviously the class of the league. After that, we can put the names in a hat and pick out anywhere from #2 on down. The loss of a key player could change the prospects for quite a few teams. So, the picture should be very volatile and could be changing right through the end of the season.

I'm actually more optimistic about the Big East than a lot of the experts are this year. There's a lot of new talent coming into the conference. As a result, I believe that some teams from whom not a lot is expected will surprise. Having acknowledged the volatility, here's my stab at picking the conference.

VILLANOVA - As big a loss as Bell is, he's the only significant loss. I believe that with added experience, Villanova will be even better this year and will not succumb to the postseason failures that they experienced in both the BE and NCAA tournaments.

ST. JOHN'S - I picked St. John's to go far last year and got burned. I haven't learned my lesson and am picking them again, believing that they will have better chemistry this year and that the extra year if experience will help them at the point where inexperience was a major problem at times last year. They still haven't improved their perimeter shooting, which was the other problem last year, but they have a lot of talent. If they play to their strengths, they can do a lot of damage. Their interior game can be one of the best in the conference if Obepka can bounce back from a disappointing sophomore season and Thomas lives up to his press clippings as a rebounder with pointer also providing a strong interior game.

GEORGETOWN - The Hoyas still have a lot to prove, but there's no denying their talent. Another team that failed me last season that I still believe in. Despite losing Starks, this will be a very experienced team. Bolstered by the return of Smith and the additions of Copeland and White in particular, it's hard to imagine things going so wrong for them in the conference 2 years in a row.

SETON HALL - This is my dark horse, the team I expect to show the most improvement this year despite the losses of Edwin and Oliver. This was a pretty good team by the end of last season. Their 2 wins in the BE tournament gave them the same number if wins against conference opponents last year as Georgetown. Younger players like Siena and Gibbs played well in the tournament. The additions of Whitehead and Delgado provide a serious talent upgrade. I like their trajectory, so I'm taking a flyer on them.

PROVIDENCE - Everything hinges on Dunn and there's no Cotton to pick up the slack if his shoulder breaks down again. This is a risky pick, so I'm obviously assuming that the shoulder is finally fixed. Henton, Hattis, and Desrosiers provide an experienced front court, bolstered by a strong recruiting class. Plenty of talent at every position as long as Dunn holds up.

MARQUETTE - Flip a coin between Marquette and Xavier for #6 and 7 in the conference standings. I like Marquette's experience, so I'm picking the over Xavier. Transfers Fischer and Carlino are the difference makers for me. Add them to the experience of Wilson at the point along with Taylor, Johnson, Burton, Johnson, etc and Wojo has a lot to work with although not the interior strength that they had last year.

XAVIER - A lot to like about this Xavier team, so it's hard for me to pick them 7th. Just shows how balanced the league is again. Stainbrook and Davis give them veteran leadership at 2 key positions. Their best talent otherwise are freshmen,so they may take some time coming together. Nonetheless, their veterans will provide lots of depth. Potentially a very good team.

BUTLER - Dunham is a stud and the return of Jones is welcome, but losing Marshall will really hurt because he was their best interior scorer. IMO, they still need to upgrade their talent to match the competition in the Big east.

CREIGHTON - Chatman's the only one back from what was the Big East's most consistent team all season last year. They're depending heavily on JC transfers, which is a risky proposition. Another program that needs a talent upgrade IMO.

DEPAUL - Melvin and Young are gone. Not much left behind them besides Garrett. Still in the basement,this program needs an overhaul.

[handdownmandown]

Creighton has exactly one juco, whos been in the program for a full season already.

But hey, it's Bleacher Report ready.

[Amase2]

Good right up Bill.

Ive got

1. Nova
2. SJU
3. Gtown
4. Xavier
5. Hall
6. Providence (had them 4th before Bullock)
7. Butler
8. Marquette
9. Depaul
10. Creighton

[ArmyVet]

Xavier seems to be a trendy pick to finish Top 2-3. I'm not exactly sure why and I think you might be closer to the truth. St. John's is the mystery for me as I could see them challenge Nova if things go well.

[R to the OB]

I've shifted teams around since we did the Polls...

1. Villanova
2. Georgetown
3. Xavier
4. St. John's
5. Creighton
6. Providence
7. Seton Hall
8. Marquette
9. Butler
10. DePaul

[xavier1994]

1. Villanova
2. Xavier
3. St. Johns
4. Georgetown
5. Creighton
6. Providence
7. Marquette
8. Seton Hall
9. Butler
10. DePaul

[Bill Marsh]

Creighton has exactly one juco, whos been in the program for a full season already.

But hey, it's Bleacher Report ready.

Thanks for the update on Creighton.

I was thinking of Steve Ferrerini and James Milliken, having read that both were expected to be contributors this year. I hadn't caught up with the fact that Ferrarini has left the program.

Milliken may have been with the program for a year but only as a practice player last year while he was sitting out a season of competition.

My basic take on the Creighton program remains the same. McDermott needs to bring in better talent to compete at this level.

[handdownmandown]

How can you know that though? The guys we are about to play you've never seen, nor do you really know much about.

I let that half go when I made my orignal post, bu will comment on it now that you've raised it: you commenting on CU's talent level is akin to me commenting on Providence's unseen players. All in all it doesnt matter since it's simply an opinion, but at least wait until CU takes the court before you disparage our talent level.

[handdownmandown]

And, Ferrarini was a walk-on. Better info would help.

[stever20]

I've got
1 Villanova
2 Georgetown
3 St John's
4 Xavier
5 Providence
6 Marquette
7 Seton Hall
8 Creighton
9 Butler
10 DePaul

I think Nova, Georgetown, and St John's are comfortably in. Xavier and Providence bubble/PIG type teams. Seton Hall sleeper to me with their young guys. Marquette super sleeper- see what Wojo does. Think Purnell from DePaul gone after this year.