So who's the Big East favorite in 2014-15?

[Randy]

It is hard for me to even imagine a team challenging Nova next year.

They won the conference by two games at 16-2. Creighton was 2nd at 14-4. They lose everybody. Providence and Xavier were a distant third at 10-8 and both lose their best player.

I would be surprised if anybody finishes within two games next year.

[FormulaX]

It is hard for me to even imagine a team challenging Nova next year.

They won the conference by two games at 16-2. Creighton was 2nd at 14-4. They lose everybody. Providence and Xavier were a distant third at 10-8 and both lose their best player.

I would be surprised if anybody finishes within two games next year.

I agree. Nova will be a unanimous favorite. The plethora of talented freshman will be fun to watch. It should also make it hard to name favorites for 2nd-6th place.

[R to the OB]

Here's my (very, very early) prediction for next year:

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

[MooseFriar13]

Im obviously a bit biased but I believe PC can challenge for the BE crown next year. PC loses Cotton and Batts, but we have a pretty solid recruiting class coming in (if they actually play) and we will hopefully have Kris Dunn finally healthy and ready to run the offense. Dunn, Fortune, and Lamomba are good perimeter defenders and Desrosiers is our rim protector. I believe PC will be a very tough defensive squad next year which could go a long way to winning the Conference next year.

[MackNova]

On paper, Villanova is far and away #1. Barring a late transfer/early defection, 7 of the top 8 scorers return from the team that won the league by 2 games last season

But that's why they play the games, and there is some nice incoming talent on other teams.

[Jet915]

Here's my (very, very early) prediction for next year:

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

I can agree with this except maybe Marquette ahead of Creighton if they can keep their recruiting class. I agree about Georgetown, expect them to bounce back, they have DSR and if Smith comes back along with their recruiting class, they should be pretty strong. I think Seton Hall is the hardest to predict, have good pieces still but we'll see how they mesh with their really good recruiting class. They can go as high as 2 but as low as 7.

[R to the OB]

Here's my (very, very early) prediction for next year:

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

I can agree with this except maybe Marquette ahead of Creighton if they can keep their recruiting class. I agree about Georgetown, expect them to bounce back, they have DSR and if Smith comes back along with their recruiting class, they should be pretty strong. I think Seton Hall is the hardest to predict, have good pieces still but we'll see how they mesh with their really good recruiting class. They can go as high as 2 but as low as 7.

I think also depends upon how Creighton gels early. They'll be much more athletic and no offense to Doug, Grant, and Ethan, better defensively at the 3, 4, and 5. Zach Hanson and James Milliken will be studs.
As for Georgetown, I assumed that DSR and Smith would be back. They'll drop if they lose one or both.
As for Seton Hall, I'm going to be skeptical until they prove otherwise. (Not hating, just want to see it before I buy in)

[GumbyDamnit!]

You look at the best players this past year in the BE, you see a lot of seniors. PC losing Cotton, Gtown Starks and CU McBuckets will really hurt. Bell was a nice player for us but we have guys that can step right in. I expect Nova to be better next year than last. If there is a team out there that thinks it can be better than a Top 10-type team, than I guess that'll be the eventual reg season winner.

I also think it is really tough for kids to step in and make huge impacts. IW from SHU might be the exception but is he an overall better player than F Edwin right now? Prob not. So even with adding him SHU loses prob more than they add, for 1 year at least. My dark horse? Creighton. The backcourt of Chatman and Brooks will be lightening quick. If they can find 2-3 guys who can hit an open shot and play some better D than DM and Wragge they'll be pretty good IMO. Also think SJU could surprise some folks. Harrison and Jordan can each score 30 on any given night. If Obekpa stays they'll be good. Maybe it'll be addition by subtraction with Sampson. Spread the floor and throw 4 guards and Obekp out there. Would be an exciting style of play.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier will lose Christon, but pick up a huge transfer in Remy Abell from Indiana who was the best player on the court at Musketeer Madness. The only other loss was Philmore who is easily replaced and there is a Top 10 recruiting class coming in with better shooters.

X will challenge.

[Gibbsyonemoreyear!]

I still think Butler will challenge for 4th or 5th place.