Big East Preview

Thursday’s game against St. John’s is the Hoyas’ Big East opener, making this an appropriate time for a conference preview, with snapshots of each team and a (soon to be foolish) prediction of finish:

1. Syracuse (13-0, 1-0, #5) — it hurts to admit, but the Orange(men) have looked very good since their exhibition lost to LeMoyne (ha ha), and have an apparently slightly easier schedule than WV and ‘Nova (see below).  Finish:  14-4.
2. West Virginia (11-0, 2-0, #6) — led by senior De’Sean Butler and sophomores Kevin Jones and Devin Ebanks, and coached by the Huggy Bear, WV may well take the conference title.  They’ve already squeaked out two conference  victories, at Seton Hall and hosting Marquette.  Still, they’ve tended to play teams closer than they should, barely beating Cleveland State, and so may drop an ugly one here or there.  Finish: 13-5.
3. Villanova (11-1, 0-0, #8) — despite the graduation of Dante Cunningham, the Wildcats return a very deep team, led by senior Scottie Reynolds and the Two Coreys–Fisher and Stokes, that is–and by Jay Wright’s fancy suits.  ‘Nova has an easy schedule early that gets tough later, so expect them to lead the standings out of the gates but fall back mid-season.  Finish: 13-5.
   
4. Georgetown (9-1, 0-0, #13) — Lots of ink spilled, but still unclear what to expect.  Prediction: losses at Syracuse, at Nova, at WV, home against Connecticut, and at Pitt.  Finish: 13-5.  Or 12-6.  Or 11-7.  Crap, I can’t decide.
5. Connecticut (9-2, 0-0) — Their only losses have been tight ones to Duke and Kentucky, so don’t let the early record fool you.  They lost A.J. Price (but saved their laptops), Hasheem Thabeet, and Jeff Adrien, and return a more perimeter-oriented lineup of Jerome Dyson, Kemba Walker, and Stanley Robinson.  Not much inside, but, as always, beware.  Finish: 12-6.
   
6. Notre Dame (11-2, 0-0) — Expect the Irish to beat good teams at home, and drop an ugly one or two on the road.  Also expect Luke Harangody to fill in as the fourth caveman in a Geico commercial.  Finish: 11-7.
7. Seton Hall (9-3, 0-2) — The Pirates are looking tough for the first time in a while, featuring the tandem of scorer Jeremy Hazell (23.3 ppg) and the double-double machine Herb Pope (13.8 ppg, 12.3 rpg).  They have a brutal early conference schedule (losses thus far to ‘Cuse and WV), but should rebound to make the tournament.  Finish: 10-8.
   
8. Cincinnati (9-3, 0-0) — The Bearcats look good, with Deonta Vaughn taking over for Lavance Fields as the Big East PG Who’s Seemingly Been Around for Two Decades.  Finish: 10-8.
9. Pittsburgh (11-2, 1-0) — DeJuan Blair is gone!!  But Jamie Dixon and his well-coached team remains.  Expect plenty of rugged home wins and a tournament appearance.  Finish: 10-8.
   
10. Marquette (9-4, 0-1) — The Golden Eagles will still be a tough out despite the heavy losses from last year’s team.  Still, Lazar Haywood can’t do everything.  Hope for a less nauseating trip to Milwaukee for the Hoyas this year.  Finish: 9-9.
11. Louisville (9-3, 0-0) — Following up a crazy off-season and defections to the draft with inconsistent play this season.  Finish: 9-9.
12. St. John’s (10-2, 0-0) — The Red Storm have showns signs of life, beating Temple and Georgia and hanging with Duke in Cameron.  They’ll be a bubble team with a lot riding on the Big East Tournament — luckily, played on their home court.  Finish: 9-9.
    
13. Rutgers (9-3, 0-0) — The Scarlet Knights played UNC close Monday night, but don’t have the juice this year.  Finish:  4-14.
14. South Florida (10-2, 0-0) — Never a contender, the Bulls will still sneak out a few conference game on the strength of big man Dominique Jones.  Finish: 4-14.
15. Providence (8-4, 0-0) — Looks like a tough season for the Friars after several early-season losses.  Finish 2-16.
    
16. Depaul (7-6, 0-1) — Nonconference losses to American and Florida Gulf Coast = cellar dweller.  Hope I didn’t just jinx the Hoyas for Sunday!  Finish: 1-17.