Meet the (new) Big East. Here is a quick look at the current PROJECTED starting line-ups for next season:
Butler Bulldogs (3 Returning Starters)
PG: Alex Barlow (Jr.)
SG: Roosevelt Jones (Jr.)
SF: Kellen Dunham (So.)
PF: Khyle Marshall (Jr.)
C: Kameron Woods (Jr.)
6th: Rene Castro (Jr.)
Recruit: Nolan Berry – (Fr.) 6’8” – F
Breakdown: Plenty of experience on this roster. Berry fits perfectly into “the Butler way”
Creighton Bluejays (3 Returning Starters)
PG: Austin Chatman (Jr.)
SG: Jahenns Manigat (Sr.)
SF: Doug McDermott (Sr.)
PF: Ethan Wragge (Sr.)
C: Will Artino (Jr.)
6th: Avery Dingman (Jr.)
Recruit: Toby Hegner – (Fr.) 6’10” – PF
Breakdown: If McDermott returns this team is dangerous. Doug’s return should see him shift to the 3.
DePaul Blue Demons (4 Returning Starters)
PG: Jamee Crockett (Jr.)
SG: Brendon Young (Sr.)
SF: Moses Morgan (Sr.)
PF: Cleveland Melvin (Sr.)
C: Donovan Kirk (Sr.)
6th: Charles McKinney (Jr.)
Recruit: Billy Garrett (Fr.) – 6’4” – PG
Breakdown: Experienced team has been building toward this season to do damage. Garrett could earn starting PG role by conference.
Georgetown Hoyas (5 Returning Starters)
PG: Markel Starks (Sr.)
SG: D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (So.)
SF: Jabril Trawick (Jr.)
PF: Nate Lubick (Sr.)
C: Josh Smith (Jr.)
6th: Greg Whittington (Jr.)
Recruit: Reggie Cameron (Fr.) – 6’7” – SF
Breakdown: Porter’s departure hurts the Hoyas, but they’re still a top 3 team. Addition of UCLA transfer Josh Smith adds to depth.
Marquette Golden Eagles (2 Returning Starters)
PG: Duane Wilson (Fr.)
SG: Todd Mayo (Jr.)
SF: Jamil Wilson (Sr.)
PF: Jameel McKay (Jr.)
C: Chris Otule (Sr.)
6th: DaVante Gardner (Sr.)
Recruit: Deonte Burton (Fr.) – 6’4” – SF
Breakdown: Blue leaving early hurts roster but solid core of returns will be paired with excellent newcomers that could gel nicely come conference season.
Providence Friars (4 Returning Starters)
PG: Kris Dunn (So.)
SG: Bryce Cotton (Sr.)
SF: LaDontae Henton (Jr.)
PF: Sidki Johnson (Jr.)
C: Kadeem Bates (Sr.)
6th: Josh Fortune (So.)
Recruit: Brandon Austin (Fr.) – 6’6” – SF
Breakdown: Another solid group of returners. Could surprise teams if there is little roster turnover.
Seton Hall Pirates (3 Returning Starters)
PG: Sterling Gibbs (Jr.)
SG: Brian Oliver (Sr.)
SF: Faquan Edwin (Sr.)
PF: Brandon Mobley (Sr.)
C: Eugene Teague (Sr.)
6th: Patrick Auda (Sr.)
Recruit: Jerron Wilbut (Fr.) – 6’3” – SG
Breakdown: Lots of turmoil with the Pirates already after losing backcourt leader Aaron Cosby. Texas-transfer Sterling Gibbs will be asked to lead team.
St. John’s Red Storm (5 Returning Starters)
PG: Jamal Branch (So.)
SG: D’Angelo Harrison (Jr.)
SF: Sir’Dominic Pointer (Jr.)
PF: JaKarr Sampson (So.)
C: Chris Obekpa (So.)
6th: Phil Greene (Jr.)/Orlando Sanchez (Jr.)
Recruit: Rysheed Jordan (Fr.) – 6’3” – SG
Breakdown: In terms of potential, the 2013-2014 Red Storm is loaded. If Lavin can get these guys to buy in, they are easily a top 15-20 team in the Nation.
Villanova Wildcats (4 Returning Starters)
PG: Ryan Archidiacono (So.)
SG: Darrun Hillard (Jr.)
SF: James Bell (Sr.)
PF: JayVaughn Pinkston (Jr.)
C: Daniel Ochefu (So.)
6th: Tony Chennault (Sr.)
Recruit: Kris Jenkins (Fr.) – 6’5” – PF
Breakdown: Typical Jay Wright squad will be loaded in the back court but could struggle on the boards. Pinkston is a high level player.
Xavier Musketeers (3 Returning Starters)
PG: Dee Davis (Jr.)
SG: Semaj Christon (So.)
SF: Justin Martin (Jr.)
PF: Isaiah Philmore (Sr.)
C: Matt Stainbrook (Jr.)
6th: Brandon Randolph (Fr.)
Recruit: Myles Davis (Fr.) – 6’3” – SG
Breakdown: Following a disappointing and uncharacteristic poor season the Musketeers will look to rebound behind high-scoring sophomore Semaj Chrsiton.