Big East Season Preview: Top 5 Power Forwards

Just Missed the Cut:

• Mikael Hopkins, Georgetown Hoyas (Average: 6.647058824)
• Angel Delgado, Seton Hall Pirates (Average: 6.333333333)

5. Tyler Harris, Providence Friars (Average: 4.7222222222)

2013-14 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG

Providence's frontcourt is aided by 6-foot-9 forward Tyler Harris, who is coming off of a solid campaign that saw the Friars win their first Big East Tournament Championship in two decades. Harris was a tremendous contributor for the Friars last year, accounting for 20.6 percent of possessions and 20.4 percent of shots taken during the course of the season. He could certainly improve on his efficiency inside the 3-point line (.478 2PT FG%) but with another year under his belt, Harris should continue to grow as a player on both sides of the ball.

4. Kameron Woods, Butler Bulldogs (Average: 4.176470588)

2013-14 Stats: 7.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG

While Butler star Roosevelt Jones was out with an injury for the entire season, Kameron Woods stepped in as a significant role player for the Bulldogs. And nowhere else did he make his biggest contributions than on the rebounding side. Woods ranked 21st in the country in Defensive Rebounding%, with a staggering 26.2 mark on the season. As a senior, and with a meager front line, Woods will be relied upon heavily on the glass. And given his track record, there's no reason to think he won't succeed.

3. Sir'Dominic Pointer, St. John's Red Storm (Average: 3.277777778) (1)

2013-14 Stats: 5.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG

Along with Chris Obekpa, Sir'Dominic Pointer and the Johnnies join Xavier and Villanova in the discussion for the best frontcourt in the Big East Conference. The senior, who will likely play the four with Rysheed Jordan, D'Angelo Harrison and Phil Greene IV playing in the front court, as well as fellow senior Jamal Branch running the point. Pointer may not necessarily fit the bill of a true power forward, but with Orlando Sanchez, JaKarr Sampson, God'sgift Achiuwa and Marc-Antoine Bourgault departing, Pointer represents the player who will likely be in that position this coming season. Something to feel good about is that Pointer had terrific block and steal percentages last season, coming in with a 5.4 and 3.4 percent respectively in each category.

2. Jalen Reynolds, Xavier Musketeers (Average: 2.777777778)

2013-14 Stats: 3.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG

Jalen Reynolds is next in line for Xavier at the power forward position with Isaiah Philmore and Justin Martin departing. Matt Stainbrook will be playing at the center position this coming year, and as a result, the 6-foot-9 sophomore should be able to play well off of the Preseason 1st Team All-Big East big man. Reynolds fared well last season, playing at the five for 47 percent of the time over Xavier's last five games. Transitioning to the four, where he rarely started towards the tail end of last season, should not be much of a difficult transition for him. He has proven to have a good inside game, going 49-92 on 2-point attempts in 2013, and coming away with a rather high OR% and DR%, though in limited minutes. We'll see what he can do this year with a more expansive role, but his ceiling might be the highest of any player on this list.

1. JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova Wildcats (Average: 1.055555556) (17)

2013-14 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG

A near-unanimous selection, JayVaughn Pinkston is the best power forward in the Big East Conference. Pinkston received 17 first-place votes amongst the 18 voters who made these selections. And for good reason. Pinkston led all players in this discussion in points with 14.2 per game, with his best outing of the season coming in a 98-68 victory over St. Joseph's. JayVaughn scored 27 points and shot 10-15 from the field, nabbing eight rebounds as well. These types of performances are what you would come to expect from Pinkston at this point, and the senior should prove to be a force to be reckoned with again as Villanova looks to claim the Big East title for the second consecutive season.