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THE FAVORITES:
1.
Villanova (4th in Big East in
�08-�09, 13-5 in BE, 30-8 overall, Final Four)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Wildcats boast one of the best backcourts
in college basketball, but as usual, will not have a lot of size down
low. They have a very talented recruiting class and if those in-coming
freshmen can replace the three seniors ‘Nova lost, they should be
the team to beat in the Big East. The newcomers will have some
early chances to show their potential as Reggie Redding has been suspended
for the first semester after being found with marijuana in his car.
The addition of Duke transfer Taylor King should make the Cats even
more lethal from the outside.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Antonio Pena (Sr)/Mouphtaou Yarou (Fr)/Maurice Sutton (So)
F: Reggie Redding (Sr)/Isaiah Armwood (Fr)
G/F: Corey Stokes (Jr)/Taylor King (So)/Russell Wooten (Sr)
G: Corey Fisher (Jr)/Dominic Cheek (Fr)
PG: Scottie Reynolds (Sr)/Maalik Wayns
(Fr)
Gone: F-Dante Cunningham, F-Shane
Clark, G/F-Dwayne Anderson
Player to
Watch: Fisher- As a sophomore, Fisher averaged almost 11 points
per game coming off the bench. He will have an expanded role as
a starter this season and should take some of the point guard responsibility
off of Reynolds� shoulders which should open Scottie up to be more
of a shooter. Fisher could be poised for a break-out season as
he has a tremendous scoring ability.
2. West Virginia (7th,
10-8, 23-12, NCAA First Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Originally, I had the Mountaineers as
the favorites to win the Big East. But indefinite suspensions
to point guards Truck Bryant and Joe Mazzulla, have the Bob Huggins�
crew very thin at the point. Once again, they will rely on their
defense and long, versatile, athletic forwards to carry them.
If Bryant and/or Mazzulla are re-instated to the team, expect West Virginia
to be a top-ten caliber team in the country.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Wellington Smith (Sr)/Cam Thoroughman (Jr)/Deniz Kilicli (Fr)
F: John Flowers (Jr)/Kevin Jones (So)
F: Devin Ebanks (So)/ Dalton Pepper (Fr)/Josh Sowards (Sr)
G/F: De�Sean Butler (Sr)/Casey Mitchell (So)
PG: Johnnie West (Jr)/Truck Bryant (So)?/Joe
Mazzulla (Jr)?
Gone: SG-Alex Ruoff
Player to Watch:
Ebanks- His freshman season didn�t get off to the start that many
hoped, but Ebanks really elevated his game the last two months of the
season. He might be one of the most versatile defenders in the
country which fits perfectly with Huggins� style. If he can
become a more consistent threat from the outside, watch out!
BOUNCING BACK
3.
Georgetown (12th, 7-11, 16-15, NIT)
2009-2010 Outlook:
After a very disappointing 2008-2009
campaign, JT3�s Hoyas should be back near the top of the conference.
For that to happen, Greg Monroe will need to establish himself as a
dominant player which he is very capable of doing. Depth will
be a concern for G-Town especially on the wing. Their freshmen
will need to contribute right away if Georgetown is going to finish
this high.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Henry Sims (So)
PF: Greg Monroe (So)/Jerrelle Benimon (Fr)
SF: Nikita Mescheriakov (So)/Hollis Thompson (Fr)
SG: Austin Freeman (Jr)/Vee Sanford (Fr)
PG: Chris Wright (Jr)/Jason Clark (So)
Gone:
F-DaJuan Summers, G-Jesse Sapp, G/F-Omar Wattad (transfer-Chattanooga)
Player to Watch:
Sims- The highly recruited freshman failed to make a major impact in
his first year. Both he and Vernon Macklin were unable to provide the
Hoyas with the inside presence the team needed. In order for Monroe
(and ultimately Georgetown) to take his game to the next level, Sims
will need to establish himself beyond the 1.9 points and 1.7 boards
a game he averaged in less than ten minutes per game last season.
RE-LOADING, BUT
STILL DANCIN�
4. UConn (2nd,
15-3, 31-5, Final 4)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Another trip to the Final Four seems
highly unlikely for UConn as Jim Calhoun loses three major weapons in
Thabeet, Adrien, and Price. Walker should step into the full-time
point guard role without missing much of a beat while Dyson and Robinson
will be counted on to pick up the scoring slack. The question
will be up-front where newcomers Oriakhi and Mojak (who won�t be eligible
until mid-December) will be asked to step in and contribute right away.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Alex Oriakhi (Fr)/Charles Okwandu (Jr)/Jonathan Mandeldove (Sr)
PF: Gavin Edwards (Sr)/Ater Mojak (Fr)
SF: Stanley Robinson (Sr)/Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (Fr)
SG: Jerome Dyson (Sr)/Donnell Beverly (Jr)/Jamaal Trice (Fr)
PG: Kemba Walker (So)/Darius Smith (Fr)
Gone: C-Hasheem Thabeet, PG-A.J.
Price, PF-Jeff Adrien, SG-Craig Austrie, SG-Scottie Haralson (transfer-Tulsa)
Player to Watch:
Dyson- The Huskie shooting guard missed the final seven games of the
season and the entire NCAA Tournament due to a knee injury. He
will need to come back at full strength as he is the only established
outside threat UConn will have. Calhoun will also likely count
on Dyson to emerge as the team�s go-to scorer, a change from his previous
complimentary role.
5.
Syracuse (6th, 11-7, 28-10, Sweet 16)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Losing Jonny Flynn was understandable
as he ended up being the sixth overall pick, but why Eric Devendorf
and Paul Harris left early still baffles me. Despite losing their
top three scorers, the ‘Cuse shouldn�t fall off too much.
Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson will be a major addition on the wing
and getting redshirt sophomore Scoop Jardine back should fill some of
the void at the point. Adding freshman DeShonte Riley alongside
upperclassmen Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson will give the Orange one
of the best frontcourts in the Big East.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Arinze Onuaku (Sr)/DeShonte Riley (Fr)
PF: Rick Jackson (Jr)/Kris Joseph (So)
SF: Wesley Johnson (Jr)/Mookie Jones (So)/James Southerland (Fr)
SG: Andy Rautins (Sr)
PG: Scoop Jardine (So)/Brandon Triche
(Fr)
Gone: PG-Jonny Flynn, G-Eric Devendorf,
G/F-Paul Harris, F-Kristof Ongenaet, C-Sean Williams (transfer-Cal State
Fullerton)
Player to Watch:
Johnson- Jim Boeheim has spoke very highly of the former Cyclone this
summer and thinks he will be a very special player this season.
Syracuse will need Johnson to pick up a good chunk of the scoring slack
left behind by Flynn, Devendorf, and Harris.
6.
Louisville (1st, 16-2, 30-6, Elite 8)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Don�t expect another re-peat of conference
regular season and tournament champs for Louisville. The loss
of T-Will and Clark is huge as Rick Pitino will struggle to find someone
to replace their leadership and all-around game. The Cards�
guard play should be solid which means their full court pressure will
once again be prominent. There is young talent up-front, but the wing
play will determine how good L-Ville will be this season. It will
also be interesting to see if Pitino�s off-the-court escapade serves
as a lingering distraction throughout the season.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Samardo Samuels (So)/George Goode (So)
PF: Terrence Jennings (So)/Jared Swopshire (So)/Rakeem Buckles (Fr)
G: Reginald Delk (Sr)/Kyle Kuric (So)/Mike Marra (Fr)
G: Preston Knowles (Jr)/Edgar Sosa (Sr)
PG: Jerry Smith (Sr)/Peyton Siva (Fr)
Gone: G/F-Terrence Williams, F-Earl
Clark, G-Andre McGee
Player to Watch:
Jennings- The 6�10 sophomore is the wild card for Louisville.
He showed definite signs of improvement at the end of his freshman season.
If he can combine with Samardo Samuels to be a formidable duo down low,
it will open up more opportunities outside for the guards, thus making
the Cards a more rounded team.
ON THE BUBBLE
7. Cincinnati (9th,
8-10, 18-14)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Bearcats made nice strides last season
and that should continue as they return everyone from �08-�09.
Adding super-freshman Lance Stephenson is a major get as long as he
behaves himself becomes a team player at Cincy. This team could
be the sleeper in the BE especially with Cashmere Wright, who missed
of all last season with an injury, back and healthy.
Projected Depth Chart
C/F: Steve Toyloy (So)/Anthony McClain (So)
PF: Yancy Gates (So)/Ibrahima Thomas (Jr)/Rashad Bishop (Jr)
G/F: Lance Stephenson (Fr)/Darnell Wilks (Jr)
G: Deonta Vaughn (Sr)/Dion Dixon (So)/Larry Davis (Jr)
PG: Cashmere Wright (Fr)/Eddie Tyree
(Jr)/Jaquon Parker (Fr)
Gone: F-Alvin Mitchell (dismissed
from team), F-Mike Williams
Player to Watch:
Thomas- The Oklahoma State transfer will be eligible for the Bearcats
after the fall semester, in time for Big East play. He started
seven games for the Cowboys last season and should form a double-threat
inside with Gates. He could be the x-factor for a potential Cincy
run to the tourney.
8.
Seton Hall (11th, 7-11, 17-15)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Everybody�s back and transfers Herb
Pope, Jeff Robinson, and Keon Lawrence are eligible this season, adding
some much needed depth for the Pirates. I would by no means be
shocked if they finished above .500 in the conference as their experience
should be a major plus, but I am not ready to throw myself out there
and guarantee them a spot in the tourney. Jeremy Hazell might
be one of the better players in the country who receives little love
on the national scene.
Projected Depth Chart
C: John Garcia (Sr)/Mike Davis (So)
PF: Robert Mitchell (Sr)/Herb Pope (Jr)/Brandon Walters (So)/Matt Cajuste (So)
G/F: Jeremy Hazell (Jr)/Jeff Robinson (So)/Ferrakohn Hall (Fr)
G: Paul Gause (Sr)/Keon Lawrence (Sr)
PG: Eugene Harvey (Sr)/Jordan Theodore
(So)/Pete Peregrin (Jr)
Gone: Nobody
Player to Watch:
Pope- The New Mexico State transfer averaged 11 points and almost seven
boards a game in his freshman season with the Aggies. The Pirates
starting five is in tact from last season, but they lacked a boost off
the bench which Pope should be able to provide, especially inside.
9.
Notre Dame (9th, 8-10, 21-15, NIT)
2009-2010 Outlook:
A lack of depth was a major issue as
the Irish failed to live up to their lofty expectations last season,
and it will once again be a concern as four important seniors graduated.
Luckily, Luke Harangody chose to come back for his senior season and
Ole Miss transfer Ben Hansbrough (yes, Tyler�s little bro) should
step into the starting line-up right away. A Harangody and a Hansbrough
on the same team; the hatred should be plentiful for ND this year.
Tory Jackson should be a steadying presence as he enters his fourth
year as the team�s starting point guard.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Luke Harangody (Sr)/Thomas Knight (Fr) /Mike Broghammer (Fr)
F: Tyrone Nash (Jr)/ Carleton Scott (Jr)/Jack Cooley (Fr)
SF: Scott Martin (Jr)
SG: Ben Hansbrough (Sr)/Joey Brooks (Fr)
PG: Tory Jackson (Sr)/Jonathan Peoples
(Jr)
Gone: G-Kyle McAlarney, G/F-Ryan
Ayers, C-Luke Zeller F-Zach Hillesland
Player to Watch:
Martin- The Purdue transfer started in eight games for the Boilermakers
during his freshman season. He is a well-rounded player who can
hit from the outside and will need to be a perimeter compliment to Hansbrough
as sharp-shooters McAlarney and Ayers (who combined for 218 three-pointers
last season) have both graduated and Jackson is inconsistent from deep.
10.
Pitt (2nd, 15-3, 31-5, NCAA Elite 8)
2009-2010 Outlook:
I realize this is low for Jamie Dixon�s
team. But losing four starters in Blair, Young, Fields, and Biggs
means 59% of their scoring, 63% of their rebounding, and 60% assists
from a year ago need to be replaced. If their role players from
last year can adjust to being starters under the tutelage of Dixon,
there is a good chance Pitt will be tourney bound. Returning sixth
man Gilbert Brown will miss the first semester after being suspended
for the first semester due to academic issues.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Gary McGhee (Jr)/Talib Zanna (Fr)/J.J. Richardson (Fr)
F: Nasir Robinson (So)/ Gilbert Brown (Jr)/Dante Taylor (Fr)/ Dwight Miller (Fr)
G: Jermaine Dixon (Sr)/Lamar Patterson (Fr)
G: Brad Wanamaker (Jr)/ Tim Frye (Jr)
PG: Ashton Gibbs (So)/Chase Adams (Sr)/Travon
Woodall (Fr)
Gone: C-DeJuan Blair, SF-Sam Young,
PG-LaVance Fields, PF-Tyrell Biggs
Player to Watch:
Gibbs- The reins of the Pitt offense will be put in Gibbs� hands.
He helped lead the Jamie Dixon-coached U.S. U-19 team to the gold medal
this summer which should be a big confidence booster as he only averaged
ten minutes per game off the Panther bench last season. Dixon
needs someone to step into the leader role on the floor with four starters
gone, and Gibbs will have to be that guy. Spending a year learning
from Fields could have only helped his preparation to be the Pitt floor
general.
NIT Bound
11.
Marquette (5th, 12-6, 25-10, NCAA Second Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Like Pitt, Marquette loses four starters
who accounted for 67% of their scoring and 83% of their assists including
their trio of four-year starting guards (McNeal, Matthews, and James.)
It will be a major transition this season as MU tries to find their
new identity. Buzz Williams has done a nice job of recruiting
as six new faces join the Golden Eagles, although expected starting
point guard, freshman Junior Cadougan, will be out for the season after
rupturing his ACL. If they can build their chemistry early in
the year and Hayward emerges as a go-to player, there�s still a chance
Marquette could be dancing.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Chris Otule (So)/Youssouhpa Mbao (Fr)
PF: Lazar Hayward (Sr)/Joe Fulce (Jr)
SF: Jimmy Butler (Jr)/Jeronne Maymon (Fr)/Erik Williams (Fr)
SG: Dwight Buycks (Jr)/David Cubillan (Sr)
PG: Mo Acker (Sr)/Daruis Johnson-Odom
(So)/Junior Cadougan (Fr-out for season, ACL)
Gone: SG-Jerel McNeal, G/F-Welsey
Matthews, PG-Dominic James, C-Dwight Burke
Player to Watch:
Mbao- For a team that has lacked a real inside presence the past few
years, having a 7�2 threat like Mbao will finally give Marquette a
shot blocking threat they haven�t seen since Jim McIlvaine or Amal
McCaskill. It will just be a matter of how much Mbao will be able
to contribute in his first season. He is still rail thin and very
raw, but if he can play 12-15 minutes a night right away at a very unsettled
position, it could be a major boost for the Golden Eagles.
12. St. John�s (13th,
6-10, 16-18, CBI)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Getting a medical redshirt year for senior
Anthony Mason Jr. who played in just three games last season due a torn
muscle in his foot was a big-time plus for a program that hasn�t had
a winning record in conference play since 2001-2002. They only
lose one player who barely contributed and their recent youth movement
is beginning to mature. St. J�s could make some noise, but lacks
the punch needed to hang with the teams listed above them.
Projected Depth Chart
PF: Sean Evans (Jr)/Dale Coker (Jr)/Phil Wait (Jr)
F: D.J. Kennedy (Jr)/Justin Burrell (Jr)
G/F: Anthony Mason Jr. (Sr)/Quincy Roberts (So)
SG: Paris Horne (Jr)/TyShawn Edmundson (So)/Omari Lawrence (Fr)
PG: Malik Booth (Jr)/Malik Stith (Fr)
Gone: C-Tomas Jasiulionis
Player to Watch:
Honre- When Mason Jr. went down with his injury, Horne stepped up his
game and finished the season at Storm�s leading scorer. He loves
to pull the trigger from deep and could be a solid compliment to Mason
Jr.
STILL THE BOTTOM FEEDERS:
13. Rutgers (15th,
2-16, 11-21)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Scarlet Knights continue to be the
prey to the mighty predators of the Big East. They haven�t gone
dancing since 2001-2002 and continue to search for an identity.
Former McDonald�s All-American Mike Rosario had a promising freshman
season, but will not have the supporting cast he needs to lead Rutgers
out of their recent rut.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Hamady N�Dyiae (Sr)/Christian Morris (So)/Brian Okam (Fr)
PF: Gregory Echenique (So)/Austin Johnson (Fr)/Tomasz Kokosinski (So)
SF: Jonathan Mitchell (Jr)/Patrick Jackson (So)/Dane Miller (Fr)
SG: Mike Rosario (So)
PG: James Beatty (Jr)/Mike Coburn (Jr)/Mike
Kuhn (So)
Gone: PG-Anthony Farmer, G/F-Jaron
Griffin, PF-J.R. Inman, SG-Earl Pettis (transfer-La Salle), G-Corey
Chandler (dismissed from team)
Player to Watch:
Mitchell- A former New York Mr. Basketball, Mitchell becomes eligible
this season after transferring from Florida. He is a tough match-up
due to his size, strength, and inside/outside game and should likely
be in Rutgers� starting line-up from the first day of practice.
14. South Florida (14th, 4-12, 9-22)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Jones is one of the most talented scorers
in the conference, but has very little help around him. There
are a lot of young, unproven players coming off the bench which will
put a lot of pressure on the starters. Ohio State transfer Anthony
Crater should help out at the point guard spot when he becomes eligible
after the first semester. (Yes, Jordan Dumars is the son of former
Piston Joe Dumars.)
Projected Depth Chart
C: Alex Rivas (Sr)/Jarrid Famous (Jr)
PF: Augustus Gilchrist (So)/Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (Fr)
G: Dominique Jones (Jr)/Jordan Dumars (Fr)/Mike Burwell (Fr)
G: Chris Howard (Sr)/Mike Mercer (Sr)/Shaun Noriega (Fr)
PG: Justin Leemow (So)/B.J. Daniels (So)/Anthony
Crater (So)
Gone:
G-Jesus Verdejo, F-Mobolaji Ajayi, F-Aris Williams, F-Eladio Espinosa
Player to Watch:
Gilchrist- His length and athleticism make him an interesting player
for the Bulls. However, he will need to get more physical inside
as he only averaged 4.4 rebounds a game last season which is surprising
considering his 6�10 height. There were times when he looked
like a legit number two option, but just as often failed to show up.
Gaining consistency will be a key if SoFla is going to make any noise
in the conference.
15. Providence (7th,
10-8, 19-14, NIT)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Keno Davis� crew surprised some last
season, but loses five of their top seven scorers to graduation.
They will rely heavily on their backcourt this season as they are very
young and inexperienced up-front. It will definitely be a re-building
year for the Friars who won�t cause near the commotion in the conference
this year.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Ray Hall (Jr)/James Still (Fr)
F: Bilal Dixon (Fr)/Jamine Peterson (So)/Kadeem Betts (Fr)/Russ Permeneter (Jr)
G/F: Marshon Brooks (Jr)
SG: Brian McKenzie (Sr)/Duke Mondy (Fr)
PG: Sharaud Curry (Sr)/Johnnie Lacy (Fr)/Luke
Burchett (Sr)/Vincent Council (Fr)
Gone: SG-Weyinmi Efejuku, F-Geoff McDermott,
G-Jeff Xavier, F/C-Jonathan Kale, C-Randall Hanke
Player to Watch:
Dixon- Due to an influx of veteran talent last season, Dixon was red-shirted.
Davis was quoted as saying he would have been able to make an impact
in limited minutes last season and will need to step in right away for
a very inexperienced, unproven group up-front this year. If he
can become an inside presence, the re-building process at Providence
could be a lot smoother than anticipated.
16.
DePaul (16th, 0-18, 9-24)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Blue Demons should at least win one
game in conference play this year, but not many more. Dar Tucker
bolted early and ended up not being drafted. Had he returned,
DePaul would have potentially been a middle of the pack squad.
Koshwal should continue to improve as a post player and Walker can light
it up from deep, but the rest of the roster is a question mark.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Mac Koshwal (Jr)/Kene Obi (So)/Krys Faber (So)
PF: Devin Hill (So)/Tony Freeland (Fr)
SF: Mario Stula (Jr)/Mike Stovall (Jr)
G: Will Walker (Sr)/Eric Wallace (So)
PG: Jeremiah Kelly (So)/Michael Bizoukis
(So)
Gone: SF-Dar Tucker, C-Matija
Pocsic, G-Jabari Currie
Player to Watch:
Walker- Dude loves to slang three-pointers like it�s going out of
style. He came on strong at the end of last season and will have
to pick up the scoring slack left behind by Tucker. If his trigger
from deep is on, it should only help Koshwal operate inside and keep
the Blue Demons from being a complete laughing stock like last season.
All Big East First Team
(POY) Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
De�Sean Butler, West Virginia
Lazar Hayward, Marquette
Second Team
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall
Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
Jerome Dyson, UConn
Devin Ebanks, West Virginia
Dominique Jones, South Florida
Third Team
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati
Ashton Gibbs, Pitt
Mike Rosario, Rutgers
Samardo Samuels, Louisville
Tory Jackson, Notre Dame
All-Freshman First Team
(ROY) Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati
Ater Mojak, UConn
Dominic Cheek, Villanova
Cashmere Wright, Cincinnati
Bilal Dixon, Providence
Second Team
Junior Cadougan, Marquette
Peyton Siva, Louisville
Alex Oriakhi, UConn
Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova
Hollis Thompson, Georgetown
Defensive Player of the Year
Devin Ebanks, West Virginia
Most Improved Player
Ashton Gibbs, Pitt
Coach of the Year
Jay Wright, Villanova
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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