2010-11 college basketball preview: The Big East
The Big East is once again up for grabs, as one of the nation’s most powerful conferences will likely welcome another year of healthy competition and numerous NCAA Final Four Tournament berths. The conference will be led by the usual suspects, however many
expect bounce-back years from several programs that struggled last season.
Below is a list of the five teams who are expected to battle for Big East supremacy and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers were expected to struggle last season with a young, inexperienced club. However, the Panthers battled to 25 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. This season pundits are not going to make the same mistake, as the Panthers team
from 2009-10 has only improved over the off-season and are ready to battle with the top teams in the nation.
Pittsburgh’s starting five can contend with anyone in the country and is led by guard Ashton Gibbs. The junior averaged 15.7 PPG last season and is expected to improve on those numbers this year. Gibbs will be helped out by Gilbert Brown and Dante Taylor
at forward as well as Gary McGhee at centre.
Villanova Wildcats
Like the Panthers, the Villanova Wildcats have a terrific basketball program and are a dangerous team nearly every season. In 2009-10, Villanova finished third in the Big East, but should be even better in 2010-11. The Wildcats of 2009-10 were young and
inexperienced, yet still managed to have success. The 2010-11 Wildcats are older and more familiar with the college game and will be more competitive.
Villanova will get plenty of scoring from their guards, but will need to play strong defence, as their club is fairly small. The squad will be led by senior guard Corey Fisher, who managed 13.3 PPG and 3.9 APG last season. Expect the Wildcats to battle near
the top of the Big East all year.
Georgetown Hoyas
The Georgetown Hoyas surprised the basketball world last season with a productive year, which saw the club earn 23 wins and a Tournament berth. However, in the Tourney the Hoyas were terrible and lost in the first round. The Hoyas are one of several teams
at the top of the Big East that has plenty of potential, but needs to come together in order to have a great season. The Hoyas have a solid line-up, but don’t have a go-to player unless senior forward Julian Vaughn is able to take the next step.
Syracuse Orange
Like the Hoyas, the Syracuse Orange have several questions surrounding their line-up. The Orange are counting on several new faces making a major impact and getting them back to the Tournament. The Orange have plenty of height up front, with two players
standing at 7’0” and another four standing at over 6’7”. Nevertheless, the offence will likely be based around freshman guard Dion Water, who the club is hoping will be able to run a deep Syracuse offence in his first year.
With six freshmen on the roster, the Orange will need to gel quickly if they hope to compete in a difficult Big East Conference.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers still have plenty of talent, but will no doubt be hurt by the loss of Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks. Furthermore, the Mountaineers are going to have to improve their shooting if they hope to be successful again in 2010-11.
Last season West Virginia charged to the Big East title and the Final Four before losing to the eventual tournament champion Duke Blue Devils. The Mountaineers are deep again this season, but need to get shooting from guards Joe Mazzulla and Darryl Bryant
to have a chance at success.
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