The gap between Villanova and the rest of the Big East seems to have closed a bit more heading into the season.
Butler's core of returning players is as good as any and should improve in Year 2 under coach Chris Holtmann. Xavier is expecting big things from Jalen Reynolds. Georgetown could have a special season if freshmen such as Jessie Govan develop quickly. Providence guard Kris Dunn has the type of talent that could elevate the entire team.
The distance between the haves and have nots, however, is still sizable. That means the league probably won't send six teams to the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive season.
Marquette could have the newcomer of the year in forward Henry Ellenson, but like Seton Hall and Creighton, is still probably a year off from making a serious tournament run.
St. John's (Chris Mullin) and DePaul (Dave Leitao) both reached back to their pasts to revamp their respective programs. Mullin has never been a head coach but is one of the best players in program history. Leitao was the last coach to take the Blue Demons to the NCAA tournament (2004).
Favorite
Villanova has dominated the new-look Big East during the two seasons of its existence as a 10-team conference, winning consecutive regular-season titles and losing only four combined conference games in the process. The Wildcats are expected to continue their reign at the top of the league, but that's not their biggest challenge. Can they prove themselves in the postseason after another disappointing exit in the NCAA tournament? Since making the 2009 Final Four, Nova has not advanced to the Sweet 16. This could be the team to do so led by seniors Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu.
Sleeper
Xavier finished 9-9 in the league last season, yet still became one of just nine schools who have advanced to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 in at least five of the past eight seasons. The Musketeers are banking on either Myles Davis or Larry Austin Jr. to be a viable replacement at point guard for Dee Davis. If they can solve that question, the rest should fall in place as junior forward Jalen Reynolds and sophomore guard Trevon Bluiett are poised to have big seasons.
Team that could fall on its face
St. John's made the NCAA tournament for just the fourth time this century last season, yet the program still jettisoned Steve Lavin after a five-year tenure. St. John's legend and novice head coach Chris Mullin marks a new era with a brand-new roster to match. Only three players remain from last season. St. John's is one of only three teams (with Villanova and Providence) to post a winning league record in the past two seasons of the revamped Big East. With so many new faces, it will be tough to continue that feat for a third straight season.
Top pro prospect
Dunn, Providence Friars
The Providence junior could be the first point guard taken in the 2016 NBA draft. At 6-foot-4, he has the physical tools that should lead to success at the next level. He led the Big East and finished second nationally in assists, averaging 7.6 per game last season. He led the Friars in scoring at 15.6 points per game and is the team's leading returning rebounder with a 5.5 per game average. There's nothing Dunn can't do. In fact, sometimes he may try to do a little too much. He had a league-leading 138 turnovers, which dragged his assist turnover ratio down to just 1.79.
Projected all-conference team
G: Kris Dunn, Providence
G: D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown Hoyas
G: Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova
G: Kellen Dunham, Butler Bulldogs
F: Roosevelt Jones, Butler