“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait six more weeks until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
This week we’ll feature the Big East.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Villanova
Projected Starting 5:
G Collin Gillespie
G Justin Moore
G Caleb Daniels
F Jermaine Samuels
F Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Key Losses: Saddiq Bey
Key Newcomers: Caleb Daniels (Tulane), Eric Dixon (redshirt)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Cole Swider, Eric Dixon, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Brandon Slater, Bryan Antoine
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The years change, but Villanova’s product does not. Both Gillespie and Robinson-Earl will enter next season as Big East Player of the Year candidates and potential All-Americans.
2. Creighton
Projected Starting 5:
G Marcus Zegarowski
G Mitch Ballock
G Antwann Jones
G Denzel Mahoney
F Damien Jefferson
Key Losses: Kelvin Jones, Ty-Shon Alexander
Key Newcomers: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Antwann Jones (Memphis), Rati Andronikashvili
Sit Out Transfers: Alex O’Connell (Duke)
Projected Bench: Shereef Mitchell, Jacob Epperson, Christian Bishop, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Rati Andronikashvili
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Denzel Mahoney (will go through draft process), Damien Jefferson (will go through draft process)
The Skinny: Creighton’s ceiling isn’t as high following the loss of Alexander, but there’s still plenty of remaining firepower. Expect Zegarowski to emerge as one of the top players in the sport.
3. UConn
Projected Starting 5:
G R.J. Cole
G James Bouknight
F Andre Jackson
F Akok Akok (currently injured)
C Adama Sanogo
Key Losses: Christian Vital, Alterique Gilbert
Key Newcomers: R.J. Cole (Howard), Andre Jackson, Richie Springs (redshirt), Javonte Brown-Ferguson, Adama Sanogo
Sit Out Transfers: Tyrese Martin (Rhode Island)
Projected Bench: Richie Springs, Javonte Brown-Ferguson, Jalen Gaffney, Tyler Polley, Brendan Adams, Isaiah Whaley, Josh Carlton
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Huskies should have an immediate impact in their Big East return. Keep an eye on Bouknight, who reached double-figures in 13 straight games last season from Jan. 26th to Mar. 5th.
4. Providence
Projected Starting 5:
G Jared Bynum
G David Duke
F A.J. Reeves
F Noah Horchler
C Nate Watson
Key Losses: Luwane Pipkins, Alpha Diallo, Kalif Young, Maliek White, Emmitt Holt
Key Newcomers: Noah Horchler (North Florida), Jared Bynum (Saint Joseph’s), Alyn Breed, Jyare Davis
Sit Out Transfers: Brycen Goodine (Syracuse), Ed Croswell (La Salle)
Projected Bench: Greg Gantt, Kris Monroe, Jimmy Nichols, Alyn Breed, Jyare Davis
The Skinny: Ed Cooley is counting on a pair of transfers — Bynum and Horchler — to fill the gaps around three proud veterans in Duke, Reeves, and Watson. Another NCAA Tournament run is expected.
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
5. Seton Hall
Projected Starting 5:
G Bryce Aiken
G Myles Cale
G Takal Molson
F Jared Rhoden
F Sandro Mamukelashvili
Key Losses: Myles Powell, Quincy McKnight, Romaro Gill
Key Newcomers: Takal Molson (Canisius), Bryce Aiken (Harvard), Jahari Long, Dimingus Stevens, Jeff Ngandu
Sit Out Transfers: Tray Jackson (Missouri)
Projected Bench: Ikey Obiagu, Tyrese Samuel, Jahari Long, Dimungus Stevens, Shavar Reynolds, Jeff Ngandu
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Sandro Mamukelashvili (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: No Myles Powell means a more balanced attack in South Orange. The development of Aiken — a grad transfer from Harvard — at point guard is beyond critical.
6. Xavier
Projected Starting 5:
G KyKy Tandy
G Paul Scruggs
G Nate Johnson
F Jason Carter
F Zach Freemantle
Key Losses: Quentin Goodin, Naji Marshall, Tyrique Jones
Key Newcomers: Dwon Odom, C.J. Wilcher, Colby Jones, Nate Johnson (Gardner Webb), Bryan Griffin (Mercy College)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: C.J. Wilcher, Colby Jones, Dwon Odom, Dieonte Miles, Bryan Griffin, Daniel Ramsey
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Musketeers’ perimeter should be one of the best in the conference with the 6-2 Tandy primed to break out as a sophomore. A Kentucky native, Tandy averaged 12 points last season in games where he logged 25 minutes or more.
7. Marquette
Projected Starting 5:
G D.J. Carton
G Koby McEwen
G Jamal Cain
F Dawson Garcia
C Theo John
Key Losses: Markus Howard, Brendan Bailey, Sacar Anim, Jayce Johnson
Key Newcomers: Dawson Garcia, Justin Lewis, Osasere Ighodaro, D.J. Carton (Ohio State)
Sit Out Transfers: Jose Perez (Gardner Webb)
Projected Bench: Justin Lewis, Osasere Ighodaro, Greg Elliott, Dexter Akanno
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The prognosis for Marquette’s first season in five years without Markus Howard significantly improved last week when Carton received a waiver from the NCAA that granted him immediate eligibility for the 20-21 campaign. Garcia will be one of the top freshmen in the Big East and adds instant offense in the front court.
8. St. John’s
Projected Starting 5:
G Rasheem Dunn
G Greg Williams
G Vince Cole
F Julian Champagnie
F Isaih Moore
Key Losses: Mustapha Heron, LJ Figueroa, Nick Rutherford
Key Newcomers: Vince Cole (JUCO), Isaih Moore (JUCO), Posh Alexander, Dylan Wusu, Arnaldo Toro (GW), John McGriff (injury)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Marcellus Earlington, Arnaldo Toro, Josh Roberts, Posh Alexander, Dylan Wusu, David Caraher, John McGriff
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Mike Anderson will have better depth at St. John’s in Year Two than he did in Year One, which should benefit the Red Storm’s high-octane approach. Look for significant jumps from sophomore Julian Champagnie and junior Greg Williams, who last season scored in double-figures in four of St. John’s final five games.
9. Butler
Projected Starting 5:
G Aaron Thompson
G Jair Bolden
G Christian David
F Bryce Nze
F Bryce Golden
Key Losses: Kamar Baldwin, Sean McDermott
Key Newcomers: Jair Bolden (South Carolina), Scooby Johnson, Chuck Harris, Myles Tate, Jakobe Coles, Myles Wilmoth
Sit Out Transfers: Bo Hodges (East Tennessee State)
Projected Bench: Markeese Hastings, John-Michael Mulloy, Scooby Johnson, Chuck Harris, Myles Tate, Jakobe Coles, Myles Wilmoth
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Butler does not return a double-figure scorer following the departures of both Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott. Thompson, Nze, and Golden have to be consistent if the Bulldogs are going to have a chance to finish higher than many expect.
10. DePaul
Projected Starting 5:
G Ray Salnave
G Charlie Moore
G Brian Patrick
G Romeo Weems
F Jaylen Butz
Key Losses: Paul Reed, Jalen Coleman-Lands
Key Newcomers: Kobe Elvis, Ray Salnave (Monmouth), Brian Pastrick (PFW)
Sit Out Transfers: Javon Freeman-Liberty (VALPO), Courvoisier McCauley (Division II)
Projected Bench: Darious Hall, Nick Ongenda, Kobe Elvis, Oscar Lopez
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Moore and Butz should form a formidable inside-outside combination while the 6-7 Weems is lurking as an X-Factor. If Weems becomes an all-conference caliber player, the Blue Demons could be in business.
11. Georgetown
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Harris
G Jahvon Blair
G Chudier Bile
F Jamorko Pickett
C Qudus Wahab
Key Losses: Mac McClung, Omer Yurtseven
Key Newcomers: Jalen Harris (Arkansas), Chudier Bile (Northwestern State), Jamari Sibley, Tyler Beard, Kobe Clark, Dante Harris
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Jamari Sibley, Tyler Beard, Kobe Clark, Dante Harris, Timothy Ighoefe, Malcolm Wilson
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Hoyas’ road back to the top of the Big East is a long one following Mac McClung’s surprising departure and Omer Yurtseven’s decision to remain in the 2020 NBA Draft.
