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I made a couple of Rhode Island enemies on twitter yesterday saying I didn't think Providence would finish in the Top 5 of the Big East standing this upcoming season.

Below are the records of the returning Big East schools. I'm interested to know who people think will jump up and who will fall down. I think the Johnnies will improve and thus, the Frairs will likely finish 7-8 behind a couple of the additions as well. I could be totally wrong but thought it would give us something to discuss.

Code: Select all

2012-13 BIG EAST STANDINGS
TEAM   CONF   GB   OVR
#17 Georgetown   14-4   --   25-7
#11 Marquette   14-4   --   26-9
Villanova    10-8   4   20-14
Providence   9-9   5   19-15
St. John's    8-10   6   17-16
Seton Hall    3-15   11   15-18
DePaul   2-16   12   11-21

I'm thinking that Marq is probably the class of the league. They may not finish on top but they are the one sure bet I have to finish in the top 3. After that I expect SJU, Prov, XU, Creighton, Nova, Gtwn, & Butler to finish in the other top 8 spots. Order of finish? No idea. Honestly. This is why I can't wait for this season; it should be ultra competitive every night.

The wildcards for me, obviously, are the new teams. I don't know them enough to predict where they may land. Of the original 7, outside of Marq, I think the difference between SJU, Prov, Nova, & Gtwn is very slim, expecially after GU's recent injury issues. I saw a very young and talented Prov lteam ast year that I am convinced is going to give other teams fits. But Nova & SJU haven't lost much from last year and are adding pieces a well and Gtwn has some core talent coming back. I have a feeling there is going to be a whole slew of 9-9, 10-8 teams this year.

After the Grant Gibbs news, Ill go: MU, SJU, GU, CU, XU, VU, PC, DU, BU, SHU

I will say Quette, Johnnies, G'Town, Creighton, Nova, Providence, Xavier, Butler, Seton Hall, DePaul

From the Providence side, I think we'll be better than we were. I wouldn't be surprised with a 4th place finish and beating the Top 3 teams - MU, CU, GTown our fair share. St Johns has a higher ceiling but I'm not buying them yet and I think Nova falls down a couple of pegs.

I'm biased, so be it.

#1 Marquette *should* win this thing, but Top 3 at worst (as someone else here said). Many are overstating the Vander loss. He was a very good player who people are remembering more for a few clutch shots than for what he regularly was - a double-digit scorer who played great defenses but had an inconsistent shot at best and couldnt stretch defenses on a team that couldnt shoot from outside. This year we will. Todd Mayo will finally get the minutes he needs to get a feel for a game and show off his shooting and he'll be buoyed by the #3 SG (#26 ovr) recruit in Jajuan Johnson.

#2 Call me a believer in St. John's. That team is going to be freakishley athletic and long and should finally put it together and get a top 6-seed in the tourney at least. Georgetown would go here though if Whittington was back. Their center is going to be a beast on the D.

#3 I'm not going to be the one to predict Georgetown finishes outside the Top 3. They're always great in the regular season and play outstanding (and frustrating if you're playing them) D, but their short rotation will be a problem now without Whittington. GTIII really needs to expand his bench beyond 7. There should be enough talent on the team to do that.

#4 I have to believe having an All-American gets Creighton into the Top 4. Also, Grant Gibbs will be big for them at least from a leadership/experience perspective so they are not overwhelmed in the new league. They'll have problems defending though.

#5 Villanova has to be back, right? They didn't lose much at all and it's about time for Jay Wright to raise the program again.

#6 Talent-wise (outside of McDermott), Xavier is the most ready newcomer. Xavier has developed a culture of winning and I believe they'll be ready to compete all year.

#7 Really hate to put Providence here, but I think they're still working to get rid of the culture of losing which is the most underrated thing to beat in sports (and the main reason why I have Xavier in front).

#8 Dammit, how can Butler be here? There's just a lot of very good teams I guess, and I'm just higher on the talent at Providence and SJU. If Creighton didn't have McDermott, they probably fall here and Butler moves up.

#9 DePaul. Why not?

#10 Seton Hall. Sure.

In reality - 4-8 could be in ANY ORDER. But I tried.

aughnanure,

thats virtually the same as mine.

Edrick wrote:aughnanure,

thats virtually the same as mine.

Haha, almost. Though you muse be high on DePaul (yes 7th means 'high' for DePaul).

Marquette
Georgetown
St. John's
Creighton
Xavier
Villanova
Providence
Butler
Seton Hall
Depaul

Marquette even without Blue is still loaded. Georgetown is historically good. St. John's has a ton of talent coming together too.

The best walk-on in the country plays for Creighton. Admittedly, I don't know as much about Providence or Nova, but they seemed to be awful young last year.

1. Marquette- Gardner and Wilson will be very good, also a loaded recruitnig class
2. Creighton- McDermott, best player in the nation imo, Gibbs coming back is huge, Wragge is a great shooter, new JUCO guards to score
3. St.Johns- So athletic it's scary. If consistent outside shooting comes around..watch out
4. Georgetown- Losing Whittington hurts, but talented backcourt with Starks and Smith-Rivera
5. Villanova- Ryan Arcidiacono can fill it up, need an inside scorer
6. Providence- I honestly don't know where to put them, I think 6 is the lowest they could go, could go as high as 2. Lots of talent as well
7. Xavier- Christian will be great next year
8. Butler- Brad Stevens will have his team ready to compete, but finishing 8th in this league next year is not horrible.
9. Seton Hall- Edwin will carry them, Gene Teague could be a factor
10. DePaul- I honestly have no idea what they have coming back..