CBB Review previews Big East basketball heading into the 2024-25 season.
After only three Big East basketball teams made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, the conference is hoping for a better showing this season.
As usual, it starts with UConn. The Huskies will aim for a three-peat, something that hasn’t been done in college basketball since UCLA in 1973. Right on their backs will be Creighton, led by superstar center Ryan Kalkbrenner.
After the Huskies and Bluejays are a bunch of talented teams fighting for the top spots. Kadary Richmond and St. John’s, Kam Jones and Marquette, and Zach Freemantle and Xavier look to stay competitive and near the top of the conference.
And this season, even the bottom of the conference looks to be improved. Chris Holtmann will try and do the impossible and turn around the state of DePaul basketball. Shaheen Holloway and Seton Hall will try and prove to the NCAA why they deserved to make the NCAA Tournament but with life after Kadary Richmond. And Georgetown’s backcourt could be the best in the conference. Are the Hoyas a sleeper team?
Big East basketball projected standings
1. UConn Huskies
Hopefully, the nation has learned that no matter how much talent UConn loses, Dan Hurley will find a way to make sure the Huskies are still in the championship picture the following year. The losses of Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo didn’t stop UConn from dominating teams for a second straight championship.
This year, UConn will have to find ways to win without Tristen Newton and Donovan Clingan. Sharpshooter Alex Karaban and freshman Liam McNeeley seem to be good bets to keep UConn atop the Big East. Key returners Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, as well as Michigan transfer Tarris Reed, are great reinforcements. While the Huskies may not look as scary as some other teams on day one, it’d be silly to doubt what Hurley can do with this bunch.
2. Creighton Bluejays
If not for how much UConn has proved not to be doubted, the return of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth could make Creighton the frontrunner Big East basketball. Having graduate seniors at point guard and center are a coach’s dream in this age of college basketball.
But the Bluejays are deeper than just a two-man show. Mason Miller will force teams to guard far out on the perimeter. Pop Isaacs was a fantastic portal pickup as someone who can score the ball when Creighton’s stars have off nights. Fredrick King and Isaac Traudt provide depth in the frontcourt. Greg McDermott has another top-notch team in Omaha.
3. St. John’s Red Storm
Every year, there has to be at least one hyped-up team and we all know it’s St. John’s. Kadary Richmond makes his way over from Seton Hall and instantly gives the Red Storm one of the best players in college basketball. His frontcourt teammate, Deivon Smith, makes it one of the most unique 1-2 punches in the country.
RJ Luis, Zuby Ejiofor, Aaron Scott, and Simeon Wilcher could all be crucial components of a Johnnies team coached by none other than Rick Pitino.
For most teams, this would be a solid, middle-of-the-conference roster. But Pitino can maximize that talent. The Hall of Fame coach has been a winner wherever he goes, and while this might be his toughest test, he recruited the roster to get it done.
4. Marquette Golden Eagles
Kam Jones is back which just by itself puts Marquette ahead of a bunch of teams. The 6-5 guard is a scoring superstar and without Oso Ighodaro and Tyler Kolek, could be in a league of his own this year.
But that’s also where Marquette will have to grow as a team. While a lot of the rotation is back, replacing Ighodaro and Kolek won’t come easy. David Joplin, Stevie Mitchell, Chase Ross, Ben Gold, and Sean Jones all return to give the Golden Eagles a stacked team, but who will step up and rise to the occasion? Shaka Smart didn’t find that answer in the transfer portal, opting to keep it in-house. I’ve got to think Joplin and Mitchell are the easy answers, but we will find out soon enough.
5. Xavier Musketeers
Zach Freemantle was limited to just 22 games in 2022-23 and didn’t play at all last season, but the Xavier forward is back for a final year of college basketball.
Dayvion McKnight is a steady guard and John Hugley IV will have a major role, especially after the injury to Lassina Traore. There are a lot of pieces to this Musketeers team that make them one of the best teams on paper in the Big East. If Freemantle stays healthy, watch out.
6. Providence Friars
Speaking about staying healthy, Providence hopes Bryce Hopkins can do that. The Frairs’ star is back for another year after last season was cut short due to an injury. He’ll pair up with Christ Essandoko for a very intriguing frontcourt.
The backcourt is where this Providence team can thrive. Bensley Joseph comes over from Miami and will share duties with Jayden Pierre and Chicago State’s Wesley Cardet. Off the bench, rising sophomore Rich Barron is expected to be a flamethrower. The freshman shot over 40% from three.
The Friars look like a potential NCAA Tournament team, but it’s the same case as with Xavier – they must stay healthy.
7. Villanova Wildcats
One thing Villanova has going for them is Eric Dixon. The senior is as efficient and as steady as they come and plays within himself night in and night out. You’re not going to rattle Eric Dixon.
But after him, guys will have to step up. I’m confident that Miami transfer Wooga Poplar to have a big season, but La Salle transfer Jhamir Brickus will also have to play well in order for Villanova’s backcourt to be fluid. Penn transfer Tyler Perkins will also need to fill big shoes as Nova will count on mid-major transfers to make up for the losses of Justin Moore, TJ Bamba, Tyler Burton, and Mark Armstrong.
Villanova seems like a team that will be in the mix but will need a boost from one or two of their players to make a run at March Madness.
8. Seton Hall Pirates
Overcoming the losses of Kadary Richmond, Al-Amir Dawes, and Dre Davis will be a major challenge for Shaheen Holloway and the Pirates.
Dylan Addae-Wusu gives them reliability from a defensive standpoint and Isaiah Coleman showed some nice sparks as a freshman. But without many major gets in the portal, the Hall will need some underrated players to shine in their new roles.
Zion Harmon and Chaunce Jenkins are two names to keep an eye on as the Pirates look to fill major holes in the backcourt. Regardless, Holloway preaches defense, and it’s sure to keep SHU in a lot of games like usual.
9. Georgetown Hoyas
Ed Cooley didn’t have the first season at Georgetown some might have expected, proving that turning around this program may be even more difficult than advertised.
But he has the roster makeup to take a step forward in year two. A backcourt of Jayden Epps and Malik Mack can score on any team in the Big East, and Micah Peavy’s leadership and winning mentality at TCU was a great get in the transfer portal.
10. Butler Bulldogs
I really like what Butler has to offer at the forward position, with Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks. Past that, I’m not sure where the scoring or playmaking will come from. There’s no true point guard that jumps off the page and even though Andre Screen is a tall 7-1 center, there are a lot more skilled big men in the conference.
The hope for Butler is the bench. While the starting lineup may not pass the eye test, a bench with Patrick McCaffery and Jamie Keiser could allow Butler to stay in games. Still, most teams in this conference just have more talent.
11. DePaul Blue Demons
Just because they’re projected to finish last in the Big East doesn’t mean it will be the same old DePaul team. New head coach Chris Holtmann has a track record of winning games and will try to change the culture in Chicago. The former Ohio State and Butler head coach has only had three losing seasons in thirteen tries.
Don’t get me wrong – DePaul still has a ways to go until they’re competitive with the rest of the conference, but I’d be surprised if they have another 3-29 season.
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Player of the Year
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
What hasn’t Kalkbrenner already accomplished? He’s the three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Big East member, and ranks top ten in Creighton history in points, rebounds, and blocks.
So what might Kalkbrenner want to accomplish this time around? I’m guessing a deep run in March. In four years, his Bluejays have never made it past the Elite 8. They’ve made it to the Sweet 16 three of those years, and have just been on the cusp of reaching the Final Four. Could this be the year their star leads them to the promised land?
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Coach of the Year
Rick Pitino, St. John’s
Predicting a coach of the year is always a tough task but with all eyes on what Pitino may be able to do in year two with St. John’s, he’s the easy choice here. The Johnnies have a talented team and they have some legitimate goals, but if Pitino actually completes those, that’s a different story. St. John’s has been a solid team for a few years now and they hoped by hiring Pitino, they’d be able to make another jump forward. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s close.
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Freshman of the Year
Liam McNeeley, UConn
The UConn freshman has a sweet stroke and a crafty ability to get open, scoring a lot of points for Monteverde. He joins UConn with a chance to be a crucial player right away. He scored 10 points in UConn’s exhibition game against Rhode Island, which is a solid sign of things to come.
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Transfer of the Year
Kadary Richmond, St. John’s
Talk about a polarizing team – Kadary Richmond will lead St. John’s into battle and for Seton Hall fans, it’s war.
Richmond became a star at the Hall, after spending one year at Syracuse, and last year really put Big East basketball on notice. He averaged career highs with 15.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 5.1 APG, along with 2.2 SPG. Richmond was counted on to pretty much do everything for Seton Hall, and for St. John’s, it’s hard to think he won’t have to do the same. That’s not even an insult to his teammates – Richmond is just that valuable of a player.
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball First Team
- G: Kadary Richmond, St. John’s
- G: Kam Jones, Marquette
- F: Alex Karaban, UConn
- F: Bryce Hopkins, Providence
- C: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Second Team
- G: Aidan Mahaney, UConn
- G: Steven Ashworth, Creighton
- G: Deivon Smith, St. John’s
- F: Pierre Brooks, Butler
- F: Eric Dixon, Villanova
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball Third Team
- G: Dayvion McKnight, Xavier
- G: Jayden Epps, Georgetown
- F: Jahmyl Telfort, Butler
- F: David Joplin, Marquette
- F: Zach Freemantle, Xavier
CBB Review Preseason Big East Basketball All-Freshmen Team
- G: Ahmad Nowell, UConn
- F: Liam McNeeley, UConn
- F: Jackson McAndrew, Creighton
- C: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown
- C: Oswin Erhunmwunse, Providence