Heading into the 2020-21 season, there’s a familiar description of the top of the conference that holds true again. This looks like Villanova’s league until one of the other 10 teams in the BIG EAST proves otherwise. Coach Jay Wright’s program has earned that categorization. Over the last seven years, no team has compiled a better record than Villanova. Since the start of the 2013-14 campaign, the Wildcats are 206-38 (.844).
Entering the upcoming season, the Wildcats are stacked even after losing star wing Saddiq Bey to the NBA Draft. Last season, Villanova did not have an impact senior. Because of that, in what has been an unprecedented offseason, the Wildcats could end up benefiting with virtually every player returning and not needing an extended amount of time to understand the program’s system. In fact, both of their newcomers for this season practiced with the team last season as a transfer and a redshirt freshman.
Beyond the Wildcats, the team that has earned the preseason rankings in early polls, and that comes off their first BIG EAST regular season championship, is Creighton. The Bluejays, who shared the crown with Seton Hall and Villanova, return four of their five starters, and while losing Ty-Shon Alexander to the NBA Draft over the offseason threw a slight damper on preseason expectations, Greg McDermott has shown an ability to adapt and exceed predictions. Just a year ago, the Jays were picked seventh out of 10 in the conference preseason poll. They ended up finishing as a co-champion and as a top 10 team nationally. Creighton will be powered by junior point guard Marcus Zegarowski, a 2019-20 Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention and All-BIG EAST First Team selection. With senior Mitch Ballock accompanying him in the backcourt and a solid core beyond the duo, the Jays have the fewest preseason questions to answer. The loss of Alexander leaves some things to figure out, particularly defensively, but part of Creighton’s formula is their offensive efficiency becomes their best defense in that teams cannot keep up with McDermott’s high-octane, spread attack.
So, that brings up the overarching question for anyone forecasting the conference: Who comes next after Villanova and Creighton? What’s the middle of the league look like?
There’s really not a firm answer to that question, and for good reason. In 2018-19, four teams went 9-9 in the BIG EAST and three others went 7-11. In 2017-18, a trio of teams finished 10-8 and the pair trailing them went 9-9. It’s become a common theme in the reconfigured BIG EAST to enter the final Saturday of conference play with many unknowns in terms of finishing position, and conference tournament seedings. The way the coming year is shaping up, buckle up for plenty of parity and tight games.
Let’s explore the keys in a Reader’s Digest format for each middle contender in the conference that could determine where exactly they finish in the standings. We’ll go in alphabetical order.
Butler
Gone is Kamar Baldwin, which means the Bulldogs will be seeking a new closer. In a late-game situation last year, there was no question who would have the ball in his hands for Butler. LaVall Jordan’s team does return a solid frontcourt duo with Bryce Nze and Bryce Golden, and welcomes guard Jair Bolden, a South Carolina graduate transfer. The key question for the Bulldogs: Just how impactful will the freshman class be? Jordan ushers in the highest-ranked recruiting class in Butler history, but the group comes is already shorthanded with wing Scooby Johnson redshirting this season due to an ACL injury. Two freshmen who could see the steady amount of minutes available are guards Chuck Harris and Myles Tate. Another first-year Bulldog who has impressed is 6-7 forward JaKobe Coles. Butler’s coaching staff had expectations for him to help them in the post, but Coles has also flashed perimeter range in preseason workouts. While it’s a lot to rely on freshmen to perform, Butler’s culture and consistency combined with three returning starters make for a team that could exceed expectations again. As Jordan said earlier this offseason, for the Bulldogs to win, “Defense will be a non-negotiable.”
UConn
Where will the Huskies finish in their first year back in the conference? This is a popular question among media members, coaches, players and of course, fans. For starters coach Dan Hurley has a star backcourt player, James Bouknight, who could very well be an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. Over the last 13 games of his freshman season, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native averaged over 17 points. The Huskies return over 70 percent of their scoring and usher in a Top-25 recruiting class. A key question: Does the frontcourt live up to high expectations? We know in the backcourt, Howard transfer RJ Cole can initiate the offense at point guard. With Bouknight, Rhode Island transfer Tyrese Martin, highly-touted recruit Andre Jackson and others, the Huskies are plenty deep on the wings. Hurley secured a significant late commitment with Patrick School (NJ) product Adama Sanogo, who is expected to provide an immediate impact in the paint. In terms of returnees, 6-9 forward Akok Akok’s timeline is to be ready in late December to early January after he suffered an Achilles injury last season. UConn also has big men veterans Tyler Polley, Josh Carlton and Isaiah Whaley. There is depth down low, and if Sanogo and Akok play to their potential, the Huskies could possess one of the top frontcourts in the conference. As Hurley said back in July, “We hope the timing is right” for their return to the conference. It appears, on paper, that it might very well be for one of the conference’s charter members.
Marquette
The Golden Eagles are going to look very different in the upcoming season, as any team would after losing the nation’s leading scorer. Markus Howard has graduated, and coach Steve Wojciechowski brings in a Top-25 recruiting class with three players at 6-7 or taller. The key question: How does the backcourt mesh together? Senior Koby McEwen is the impact returnee, with an impact newcomer coming via the transfer route. Ohio State transfer DJ Carton comes off a freshman season in which he averaged 10.4 points and 3.0 assists for the Buckeyes. Wojciechowski is high on Carton’s ability to help others, and the way he defends. Beyond McEwen and Carton, the Golden Eagles have a pair of guards, Symir Torrence and redshirted Dexter Akanno, who will have the opportunity to increase their roles in their second years with the program. With Theo John anchoring the frontcourt, the Golden Eagles should be more potent in the post with a nice influx of talent coming in, which includes 6-11 freshman Dawson Garcia. If the backcourt finds chemistry, Marquette can be a factor in the BIG EAST.
Providence
The Friars ride momentum into 2020-21. They won their final six games last season, welcome back the dynamic junior guard duo of David Duke and AJ Reeves and have a couple of intriguing transfers to add to the experience. “This is their time,” said Friar head coach Ed Cooley when asked about Duke and Reeves. “They have the potential to lead us. Now, it’s about turning that into consistent results.” A key question for the Friars: What do they get out of the power forward position? Nate Watson will hold down the center spot, but the Friars will have a different look at the “4” spot. North Florida transfer Noah Horchler can add a scoring presence. In the 2018-19 campaign, he averaged 16.0 points and 9.3 boards per game for the Ospreys. Sophomore Greg Gantt is everything Cooley is looking for in the effort and athleticism areas. The next step for Gantt is developing more offensively and translating his athletic intangibles into basketball results. Another player who cannot be forgotten is Jimmy Nichols. He’s long and athletic, and has shown flashes of what he can do. So, the Friars have multiple options at power forward who are eager for the chance to make a difference. PC fans will see if it translates.
St. John’s
Are the Johnnies back? It’s still too early to tell, but that’s not stopping St. John’s fans from asking the question. Why? A foundation has been set by a proven winner, head coach Mike Anderson. The Red Storm notched signature non-conference wins a year ago over West Virginia and Arizona. They finished the season with momentum, highlighted by a home win over Creighton. But, top scorer LJ Figueroa is gone. That’s the biggest question entering 2020-21: Who fills that gap? The Johnnies have emerging weapons like stretch forward Julian Champagnie, lead guard Rasheem Dunn and forwards Marcellus Earlington and Josh Roberts. But, they need a lead option on the offensive end. Perhaps Champagnie rises into that as a sophomore. The Johnnies are counting on junior college transfer Vince Cole, a 6-6 wing who averaged over 21 points per game last season for USC Salkehatchie, to fill one of the lead roles in the Red Storm’s offense. Cole’s not the only transfer for the Red Storm. Fellow JUCO All-American Isaih Moore joins Cole. Moore is a 6-10 big man who averaged nearly 16 points and nine boards last season. He, along with a steady force in George Washington transfer Arnaldo Toro, should make the Johnnies a more physical team in the coming year.
Seton Hall
The Pirates got the great news of 6-11 star Sandro Mamukelashvili returning for his senior season, and they answered the big offseason question of who could lead the backcourt with Myles Powell and Quincy McKnight graduated. Kevin Willard added Harvard graduate transfer Bryce Aiken to the fold. In seven games last season, he averaged 16.7 points to lead the Crimson. If he can stay healthy, Aiken has the potential to be an All-BIG EAST performer and one of the best transfer pickups in the nation. The key question for The Hall: Does the supporting cast take the next step in their development? Junior Jared Rhoden has been a solid wing and the Pirates hope he continues to evolve. Senior Myles Cale is a solid defender, and now has the opportunity to take a lead role if he can stay consistent offensively. Ike Obiagu will aim to fill the void left by fellow seven-footer Romaro Gill. Opportunity knocks for several players who have been waiting in the wings. It will be interesting to see how Willard puts it together.
Xavier
The Musketeers, an NCAA Tournament team in 12 of the last 14 years, will be led by senior Paul Scruggs, who Travis Steele calls “the heart and soul of the program.” They should once again have the pieces to possess a formidable frontcourt as rising sophomore Zach Freemantle and redshirt freshman Dieonte Miles are back in the fold. The area to address for Steele and company is the backcourt situation. Can Xavier be efficient offensively and avoid turnovers? Among the options to produce alongside Scruggs are sophomore KyKy Tandy as well as freshman guards Dwon Odom and C.J. Wilcher. Hampton transfer Ben Stanley has shined in workouts as well. The Musketeers are awaiting a waiver decision from the NCAA if Stanley, who has two years of eligibility remaining, will be eligible immediately. There are many options for Xavier at the guard spot. Channeling that into consistent production, and improved perimeter shooting, is imperative for the Musketeers to exceed preseason expectations in the 2020-21 campaign.
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