Credit: Marquette University Athletics
Way Too Early Big East Men's Basketball Predictions: 2024-25
Published: Monday, September 16, 2024
by Anthony Collins
The Big East has been one of the top conferences in men's college basketball over the past few years, with UConn winning back-to-back national championships. Despite many teams losing talent to the transfer portal and the NBA Draft, the conference remains deep, with several teams poised to be even more competitive heading into this season.
1. UConn Huskies
Key losses: C Donovan Clingan, G Stephon Castle, G Cam Spencer, G Tristen Newton
Key returners: G Hassan Diarra, F Alex Karaban
Key Additions: F Liam McNeeley, G Aidan Mahaney, C/F Tarris Reed
No matter how much talent they lose to the NBA Draft or the transfer portal, as long as Dan Hurley is at the helm of UConn, they will always be championship contenders. Hurley has built a program that consistently competes at the highest level, regardless of the roster turnover. This season, Hurley and the Huskies are setting their sights on making history by chasing a three-peat, a feat that would further cement UConn's legacy as one of the premier programs in college basketball.
2. Xavier Musketeers
Key losses: G Desmond Claude, G Quincy Olivari
Key returners: G Dayvion McKnight, G Trey Green, G/F Dailyn Swain
Key Additions: G Ryan Conwell, G Marcus Foster, C/F John Hugley, G Dante Maddox
Sean Miller has done an outstanding job in the transfer portal, not only bringing in proven talent but also successfully retaining some of his key players from last season. Additionally, the Musketeers will greatly benefit from the return of forwards Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter, who are both returning from injuries last season. Their presence on the court will add depth and experience to the team's frontcourt, giving Xavier a stronger chance to make a deep run this year.
3. Marquette Golden Eagles
Key losses: G Tyler Kolek, C/F Oso Ighodaro
Key returners: G Kam Jones, G Stevie Mitchell, F David Joplin
Key Additions: F Damarius Owens, F Royce Parham
We will see if Shaka Smart’s reluctance to embrace the transfer portal will pay off in the long run. However, with key returning talent like Kam Jones, who played a pivotal role in last season's success, this team is well-positioned to maintain or even exceed their performance from last year. If the returning core continues to develop and gel, Marquette could once again be a force to be reckoned with.
4. St John's Red Storm
Key losses: G Daniss Jenkins, F Joel Soriano, G Jordan Dingle, F Chris Ledlum
Key returners: G/F RJ Luis Jr., F Zuby Ejiofor, F Brady Dunlap
Key Additions: G Kadary Richmond, G Deivon Smith, F Aaron Scott
Rick Pitino now boasts arguably the best backcourt in the nation, having secured standout guards Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith from the transfer portal. Richmond and Smith will bring a combination of elite playmaking, defense, and scoring ability that should be a game-changer this season. While the rest of the roster appears somewhat shaky, the dynamic talent and leadership of Richmond and Smith provide a strong foundation.
5. Creighton Blue Jays
Key losses: G/F Baylor Scheierman, G Trey Alexander
Key returners: G Steven Ashworth, C Ryan Kalkbrenner
Key Additions: G Pop Isaacs, G/F Jamiya Neal, F Jackson McAndrew
Losing key players like Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, who carried the offense last season, will leave a significant void in scoring and leadership. However, head coach Greg McDermott did catch a break by retaining Ryan Kalkbrenner, one of the best defensive players in the country. Kalkbrenner's presence in the paint will be vital as the Blue Jays look to get back to the NCAA tournament. Additionally, the arrival of Steven Ashworth, who is expected to step into a bigger role, adds some hope that the team can adjust and find new ways to succeed.
6. Seton Hall Pirates
Key losses: G Kadary Richmond, G/F Dre Davis, G Al-Amir Dawes, C Jaden Bediako
Key Returners: G Isaiah Coleman, G Dylan Addae-Wusu
Key Additions: G Garwey Dual, G/F Scotty Middleton, G Chaunce Jenkins, G Zion Harmon, F/C Gus Yalden
Despite this team losing seven players to the transfer portal, they have managed to bring in 11 new players to fill those gaps. Head coach Shaheen Holloway, a proven winner, now has a revamped roster loaded with depth that could surprise a lot of people this season. Holloway’s ability to develop talent is well documented, and players like Garwey Dual and Scotty Middleton, both of whom were highly touted as top 50 prospects coming out of high school, are primed to take significant leaps in their sophomore campaigns. With Holloway's leadership and the fresh influx of talent, the reigning NIT champions have the potential to be a serious contender.
7. Providence Friars
Key losses: G Devin Carter, F Josh Oduro, G Garwey Dual
Key returners: F Bryce Hopkins, G Jayden Pierre
Key Additions: G Bensley Joseph, G Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Wesley Cardet
Kim English has done well navigating the transfer portal to bring in fresh talent, but the loss of a player as impactful as Devin Carter leaves a significant void. One of English’s new recruits or returning players will need to elevate their game to fill that gap and lead the team. Additionally, the team's success will hinge on the health and performance of Bryce Hopkins, who is coming off an injury from last season. The coaching staff and fans alike are hoping he can return to form and be a key contributor in the upcoming season.
8. Butler Bulldogs
Key losses: G Posh Alexander, G DJ Davis
Key returners: G/F Pierre Brooks II, G/F Jahmyl Telfort
Key Additions: F Patrick McCaffery, F Jamie Kaiser, G Kolby King
Butler faced a significant challenge during the offseason with the loss of their entire backcourt. This departure left a considerable void in the team's lineup, and Thad Matta's efforts to address this gap fell short. As a result, Butler is projected to struggle throughout the season, leading to a likely finish in eighth place once again.
9. Villanova Wildcats
Key losses: G Mark Armstrong, G Justin Moore, G TJ Bamba
Key returners: F Eric Dixon, G Jordan Longino
Key Additions: G Wooga Poplar, F Josiah Moseley, F Matthew Hodge
With many key players gone, Kyle Neptune is left to work with a relatively inexperienced and youthful team. Adding to the pressure, Neptune finds himself on the hot seat, facing intense scrutiny and high expectations. Given these circumstances, it appears that the Wildcats may endure another season marked by frustration and difficulties.
10. Georgetown Hoyas
Key losses: F Supreme Cook, G/F Dontrez Styles
Key returners: G Jayden Epps, F/C Drew Fielder
Key Additions: G Malik Mack, C Thomas Sorber, G Kayvaun Mulready
Ed Cooley’s offseason efforts fell short of what was needed to significantly impact the program’s trajectory. While securing Malik Mack from the transfer portal was a major achievement, relying on just one player to overhaul the entire program is unrealistic. A single addition, no matter how talented, cannot single-handedly address all the gaps and weaknesses on this team.
11. DePaul Blue Demons
Key losses: All players from last season
Key Additions: G Layden Blocker, F NJ Benson, G Isaiah Rivera
Losing their entire roster this offseason was undoubtedly a significant setback for the team. However, bringing in a coach of Chris Holtmann's caliber to lead the rebuilding effort offers a glimmer of hope. Holtmann's track record of developing talent and his ability to adapt to new situations could prove invaluable as he works to reconstruct the team and position them for a promising future.
Anthony Collins can be reached at anthony.collins@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,