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Big East overview

Young guns will lead old favorites to top

By Dave Hickman, Special to CNNSI.com

Troy Murphy's decision to stay in school could pay off big for Notre Dame. Todd Warshaw/Allsport

Order of Finish EAST 1. Connecticut 2. Villanova 3. Miami 4. St. John's 5. Boston College 6. Providence 7. Virginia Tech WEST 1. Seton Hall 2. Notre Dame 3. Georgetown 4. Pittsburgh 5. Syracuse 6. West Virginia 7. Rutgers

Top storylines

There is more than just a changing of the guard in the Big East this winter. There's a changing of the forwards and centers, too. Twelve of the 15 players named to the all-league teams last season are gone, a number that includes nearly all the conference's shining stars - Khalid El-Amin, Etan Thomas, Erick Barkley, Jason Hart, Johnny Hemsley, and on and on.

But weep not for these guys because the Big East landed a recruiting class reminiscent of the conference's glory days. High school All-Americas like Seton Hall's Eddie Griffin and Andre Barrett, Connecticut's Taliek Brown and Scott Hazelton and Miami's Darius Rice could paint a new face on the league, but it should be just as artsy as the old one.

Oh, and speaking of new faces, the league adds one this year, Virginia Tech. That means 14 teams, a move to true divisional play and the last-place teams in each division being left at home during the Big East tournament. No one is happy about that because the poor will only get poorer without the recruiting boost they get from the annual trip to Madison Square Garden.

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
Connecticut, Seton Hall, Notre Dame	Villanova, Miami, St. John's, Georgetown, Pitt, Syracuse, Boston College, West Virginia, Rutgers	Virginia Tech, Providence

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Troy Murphy, Notre Dame • The only player ever to lead the Big East in scoring (22.7) and rebounding (10.3) in the same season passed on the NBA after his sophomore season for the chance to get mad in March. Elton Tyler, Miami • Averaged 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds, but those numbers should go way up with Miami rebuilding. He also had 14 double-doubles. The only problem is, he won't play until the second semester because of academic problems. Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, Georgetown • In one of the most physical conferences in the country, he's the most physical player, but with touch.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Albert Mouring, Connecticut • Maybe the best long-range shooter in the country, Mouring was better from 3-point range (47.8 percent) than from 2-point range (38.6) last season. Troy Bell, Boston College • If the Eagles find a point guard to take that responsibility off his shoulders, he will challenge Murphy for the scoring title. Kevin Braswell, Georgetown • Some of the hotshot freshmen may try to steal his thunder, but for now he is easily the best point guard in the league.

Top Three Newcomers

Eddie Griffin, Seton Hall • Parade's player of the year, the 6-9 forward averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks at Roman Catholic in Philadelphia. Darius Rice, Miami • Jerry Rice's 6-10 nephew was a complete player and a 3.9 student at Lanier High in Mississippi. Taliek Brown, Connecticut • MVP at the Roundball Classic with 13 assists, he'll step right in for Khalid El-Amin.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Tommy Amaker, Seton Hall • NCAA run and phenomenal recruiting class make him the nation's hottest coach.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Kevin Bannon, Rutgers • Despite a new contract, how long will it be before nude free-throw shooting drills, recruiting embarrassments and the transfer of his best player catch up with him?

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

St. John's • Kentucky to open, then Kansas or UCLA; later on either Maryland or Michigan in a tourney, Ohio State and then Duke in the middle of the league wars. Connecticut's schedule is just as difficult except for the two games St. John's must play against the loaded Huskies.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

West Virginia • Disclaimer: Even with nine of 11 non-league games against teams that couldn't crack the last year's Top 95 in the RPI (six at 150 or worse), the Mountaineers still will be long shots to reach 20 wins.

Mark Your Calendar

March 3, Connecticut at Seton Hall • In different divisions, this one won't matter in the league, but this and the league tournament final a week later could be for the top seed in an NCAA region. March 3, Villanova at Miami • This is for the second divisional bye (behind UConn) in the Big East tourney. The loser has to play four games in four days to win, which has never been done. March 4, Georgetown at Notre Dame • Same deal as Villanova-Miami, different division. What a great way to end the season. Feb. 1, Seton Hall at Miami • Again, different divisions, but who can resist super frosh Miles vs. Rice?

Dave Hickman covers the Big East for the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette and will write a CNNSI.com conference insider this season.

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