Srtellis4585's Big East Basketball Preview
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by user Srtellis4585
We're just days away from the start of another exciting college basketball season. Year two of the Bigger East era begins shortly, and if last year was any indication, we're in for quite a treat...unless of course, you're a South Florida fan.
Since I am very much a slacker, I used cbs.sportsline.com as a guide so I didn't give as much faulty information about a team. Please don't sue me...it wouldn't be worth your while anyways.
Here is the 2006-07 Big East Preview:
1. Pittsburgh Panthers Well, the coaches have them as the #1 team, so I do too. They'll have one of the best rebounders in the league (maybe even the country) in Aaron Gray. However, they do lose Carl Krauser to graduation. Pitt will have their weapons though, and could go very deep into the NCAA Tournament.
2. Georgetown Hoyas It hurts my Orange heart to put both Pitt and Georgetown ahead of Syracuse. However, this year it has to be done. John Thompson III is proving to be like his father. The Hoyas have three key players returning and have a guy named Patrick Ewing Jr. Should be a great year for this team...which makes my Orange heart even sadder.
3. Marquette Golden Eagles Marquette returns all three guards from last year's team. Defense should be great like it was a year ago. This team was a surprise last year, and can be surprise this year...if they do not get a first round bye in the Big East Tournament this year.
4. Syracuse Orange I couldn't bring myself to put UConn here. Gerry McNamara is gone, but Paul Harris arrives. Most of Syracuse's Big East Tournament team is back and with Coach Boeheim, Syracuse will be in the top part of the conference.
5. Connecticut Huskies It's hard to imagine UConn not as a player in the Big East. However, with the loss of most of last year's talent, it could become reality. This could be one of Calhoun's best coaching jobs if the Huskies win the Big East.
6. Villanova Wildcats The 'cats lose three key players from last year, but they still have Sumpter and Nardi. The four guard lineup was fun to watch last year. It'll be sad to not see it from 'Nova this year.
7. St. John's Red Storm All returners are back. Last year wasn't a great year, but they did have wins against Pitt and Louisville. This is a good balanced team and could make it to the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm is making a great step in the right direction.
8. DePaul Blue Demons This is where things begin to get a bit hard for me. Actually, putting the Red Storm 7th was tough too. I went with experience, as DePaul brings back four starters. Maui will be a great indicator of how good this team is.
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Just like with DePaul, this team returns four starters. The only differences are their playmaker Douby left for the NBA and the coach is in his first year. Playing as a visitor in the RAC has been tough, and should continue this year.
10. Providence Friars Again, going with the experience factor. Providence returns four starters but loses McGrath. Sneaking into the NCAA Tournament is a great possibility...but so is missing the Big East Tournament.
11. Louisville Cardinals Some players are still recovering from injuries which could spell trouble. The team will rely on the young guns and that didn't work last year. An NCAA berth would be a great success this year. I may have the Cards too low.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish The luck of the Irish wasn't with this team last year. This year, luck won't be a part of the problem. Losing Quinn and Francis could spell trouble for the Irish.
13. Seton Hall Pirates Last year made the NCAA Tournament. However, they lose the two standouts. The Pirates are a few years away from going to the Big Dance again.
14. West Virginia Mountaineers It's hard to believe West Virginia here, but considering they lost four starters, they could even be lower. Coach Belien is still there, so the team could surprise.
15. Cincinnati Bearcats Not a good year for Cinci fans. Cinci will steal a few games this year, but won't do much else.
16. South Florida Bulls Not much to say here. Overmatched and a few years away from the Big East Tournament.
