College Basketball is right around the corner ladies and gentlemen, and I am ready. I will be previewing every Big East team between now and the start of the season, starting of course with none other than the Providence College Friars.

Going into his 8th season, Ed Cooley welcomes back most of his guys from last year, as well as Emmit Holt coming off injury that kept him out all of last year and a top 20 recruiting class in the nation led by AJ Reeves and Providence native David Duke. Cooley and the Friars are also coming off their 5th straight NCAA Tournament Berth. As far as expectations go, I’m not entirely sure what we’re going to see this season from PC. On one hand, I am very biased and feel as though this will for sure be a top 3 team in the Big East with no chance at not making it to the big dance this year. On the other, PC is a very young team who lost 3 of 5 starters and will be relying heavily on Emmit Holt who is coming back from a severe stomach injury and on Alpha Diallo to become an All Big East performer. Ultimately, I think this team’s success depends on the same thing that has kept the Friars afloat for the past years, guard play. PC’s point guard duties have been passed like a torch year by year since 2011. From Vincent Council, to Bryce Cotton, then All American and top 5 draft pick, Kris Dunn, and lastly to the gritty, cold blooded Compton native, Kyron Cartwright. This year it will be very interesting to see who takes over, however they do have a few options. Last year we saw Maliek White take an unexpected (at least from me) leap and played some good basketball, but played more of an off the ball role. You also have a very highly touted Makai Ashton-Langford who showed signs of his talent early on, but kind of slowed down during Big East play. Last but not least the aforementioned David Duke. This kid is the real deal, but at only 19 you expect him to go through what Kris Dunn and Makai did in their freshmen seasons. The other potential struggle for this team will be outside shooting. They bring back decent shooters Maliek White, Drew Edwards and Isaiah Jackson, they also have Duke, Reeves and Kris Monroe who appear to have potential success from beyond the arch, if they want success in mid-late March they will need somebody to step up in that area as well. As for predictions, I say this team will get anywhere from 20-24 wins including 10-12 in the Big East. I also feel that Alpha Diallo has enough talent to average 18 and 9 a game and put himself in first team All Big East discussions, as well as becoming a leader for this team. If Langford/Duke/White get anything going watch out for the Friars. Also be on the look for big man Nate Watson to take a leap and Isaiah Jackson to step up from his role he had on last years team. The only players I have yet to mention are newcomer Jimmy Nichols and Junior Kalif Young who should contribute solid minutes in the front court.

With the Big East being wildly uncertain on what to expect from teams throughout the league, expect no different from the Friars. I think Villanova is a lock for #1 and DePaul will most likely finish at the bottom. (sorry DePaul) I feel as though Marquette and St. John’s are going to see improvements from last year, especially the Johnnies with Mustapha Heron getting the exception from the NCAA. I’d say expect PC to be near the top with those 3 teams. But, as I stated earlier they’re going to need some players to out perform expectations if they want to take that next step and make some noise in the Big Dance.