Thus far one could make the argument that this has been a slightly disappointing year for the Big East. As of right now Joe Lunardi has three teams in the round of 64, with one more in the play in game and two more on the outside looking in. Not too bad, but not where I or many others thought they would be. Let’s break down what I feel the expectations should be for each team to end the year.
Marquette: The Golden Eagles have had an excellent year so far. Markus Howard is more than likely going to be Big East player of the year and is a worthy first team All American candidate. The Hauser brothers and Sacar Anim have been very valuable for them as well. They’ve also improved a lot on the defensive end from the past few years. They currently stand atop the Big East, and as a #3 seed in NCAA Tourney predictions. With 4 games left, at home against Georgetown and Creighton and on the road against Seton Hall and Villanova. Worst case scenario they split those and will probably be the one seed at Madison Square Garden. I don’t see anybody taking them down there and I honestly think this team has a shot at the Final Four. They don’t have much experience in March, but they can hang with anyone in the Nation, especially if Howard gets hot.
Villanova: The Wildcats coming off a National Title run last year have been slightly underwhelming. They did lose four key players to the draft/graduation but were expected to run the table in the conference yet again. Right now, they’re in 2nd place and Phil Booth is a lock for first team All Big East, however they are looking at a 7 seed right now in the tournament. They could finish the year strong with wins over Butler, Marquette and at Seton Hall. Nova and Marquette are clearly the best two teams in the conference and I expect to see a third matchup between them in the Big East Championship. Watch out for them in March, they’ll be a tough out for a high seed in the first weekend and may have a little run in them in their first year as a lower seeded team since 2013.
St. John’s: A very up and down year for the Red Storm (underrated team name). They started the year 12-1 and looked poised to make a run in March but have had a bumpy road in conference play including 2 losses to Providence and one at home to DePaul. Having said that Shamorie Ponds is one of the best players in the country and Mustapha Heron along with LJ Figueroa have had a productive year as well. They close the year with two games against Xavier and at DePaul which could be 3 wins if they play good basketball. I see them getting a win or two in the Big East Tournament and lock themselves in the big dance. Another team that could be a tough out for a 1-3 seed depending on who they get matched up with. Watch out for that backcourt come mid-March.
Seton Hall: The Pirates, I would say, have had a pretty good year considering losing three of their four best players to graduation and when you see that they have non-conference wins against Maryland and Kentucky. But they were also a top 25 team who is now looking to be in a play in game in the tournament after losing 8 of their last 12. Myles Powell should get votes for Big East Player of The Year and can lead this team to tough victories as they have shown throughout the year. They do have a very tough schedule left against Marquette and Nova and at Georgetown. I think if you’re Seton Hall you want 2 of those wins and one more in the Big East to go to the dance. They have the talent and the coaching ability to pull an early round upset, excited to see where they end up.
Xavier: I would like to personally apologize while simultaneously congratulating Travis Steele for what he’s done this year. This was a number one seed last year that got upset the first weekend, lost four key players and one of the best coaches in the country in Chris Mack. I picked the Musketeers (overrated team name) to finish 2nd to last this year and they’ve proved me wrong. Xavier led by Naji Marshall and Paul Scruggs are above .500 and battling with everybody in the conference. I expect them to continue to do so for the rest of the year and conference tournament and could end up in the NIT. They also have a top 20 recruiting class coming in next year, again I tip my cap to Travis Steele.
Georgetown: I also feel as though Patrick Ewing and Georgetown had a better than expected year. The Hoyas currently sit at 16-11 overall and should go at least 2-2 to finish the year. Doing that and another win in the conference tournament should make them a shoe in for the NIT. This is impressive for a team led by Jesse Govan who is putting up 18 and 8 and should be first team all-Big East. They have also seen an impressive year from the Freshmen Mac McClung and James Akinjo. If Ewing can get them a little help in the frontcourt watch out for them in the future.
Creighton: Creighton coming off a solid year, lost three starters including their two best players. I think Creighton is having the year everyone expected them to have. They have a slightly difficult schedule to close the year and I think they’ll end up playing night one at MSG. However, they aren’t losing any major contributors next year and I still feel that Greg McDermott is a highly underrated coach. Expect a solid 2019-2020 season from the Blue Jays.
Butler: What a tough loss last night for Butler. A talented team that is now considered to be the First team out of the NCAA Tournament. They have 3 games left at Providence and Nova and home against Xavier. I think they need 5 wins between those and the Big East if they want to get in which will be tough to do. Other than that, expect them to make a run in the NIT and they are only losing Paul Jorgensen and Note Fowler at seasons end.
Providence: Probably the most disappointing year of any team in the Big East thus far. The very young Friars were projected to finish 3rd place in the Big East in the preseason coaches’ poll. They had tough losses early in the year to Wichita State and at home to UMass, and losses where their youth really showed in conference play as well. PC’s only shot at the NCAA’s is a Big East Tournament victory which I don’t see happening, but you never know what March can bring. They should only lose Isaiah Jackson depending on what the NCAA rules with Emmitt Holt who has been battling a stomach injury. They have a top 50 recruit in Greg Gantt and don’t plan on losing any starters next year.
DePaul: If you’re a DePaul fan, I think you have to be happy with this season. They have battled with mostly everyone on their schedule and have a very good recruiting class coming in next year. They will be losing some of their more productive players to graduation, but the future does seem a little brighter than it has been in the past in Chicago. Look for the Blue Demons to make a splash in the upcoming years.