Now that the draft decisions are made, and a number of transfers are in/out, I'll take another shot at the Big East pecking order:
1. VILLANOVA - everyone that could be back is back. The team gets an influx of talent next season with Spellman and Paschall coming in, a full season of Donte DiVincenzo, and potentially Painter/Delaney. Jay's biggest challenge will be finding his rotation on a crowded bench. Team is tight, talented, and a national title contender again.
2. XAVIER - Bluiett returning was huge. Backcourt could be the BE's best with Bluiett, Sumner, Davis, Macura all back. Challenge for them will be in the post, but two recruits coming plus Gates ready to step into a starter's role. Top 10 team all season and will challenge for a BE crown.
3. CREIGHTON - bumping them up to third now that Whitehead has declared. Three of their top 4 scorers are back, and Cole Huff and Maurice Watson could be first team all-BE next season. One additional guard eligible in the fall. NCAA tournament team and it won't be fun to play them in Omaha next year.
4. SETON HALL - I think losing Whitehead is an enormous loss. Unless Eron Gordon grows up really quickly or Jevon Thomas picks up the offense quickly, they have a huge hole at the point. Despite his misgivings, Whitehead demanded attention and opened the floor up for Carrington/Rodriguez. They take a step back next season but could still make a tourney run.
5. BUTLER - the drop off between 2-3 is big, but the drop-off between 4-5 might be bigger. Giving Butler a nod here as Martin/Chrabacsz are both back (and Martin will be a BE 1st team candidate), and Holtmann gets a lot out of his players. Losing Dunham/Jones is huge, but they do get some help in transfers and eligible frosh. Could be a pesky out especially on the road, because they'll still defend. Questionable where the scoring will come from.
6. GEORGETOWN - going out on a bit of a limb here. Losing DSR might be a blessing in disguise. Peak was their best player last year, and he'll become the focal point. Paul White comes back from injury, and you get full years from Copeland, Govan (who will become the starting center), Derrickson, and a transfer Rodney Pryor who will help. I think they jump because (1) the rest of the conference is down and (2) I still can't believe a team with that much talent stays down again. Still not an NCAA tournament team, but knocking on the door.
7. MARQUETTE - I still think losing Ellenson hurts substantially in the short term. They don't have a go-to guy next season and now Wojo needs to instill an entirely new offensive system. They also didn't guard anyone on defense last year. That said, the team did win 20 games last year (and finished 7th in the BE -- shows you how deep the league was), and most of the team is coming back. Don't like them this year, but next year could be different.
8. PROVIDENCE - Dunn and Bentil were their whole team last year, and both are now gone. Lomomba transferred out. Besides Bullock, no idea who steps in for PC next season - you have a bunch of role players leftover. Cooley is a great coach and his guys love to play for him, but I think it's a rebuilding year in Providence. Of course, they always steal a game or two when you don't expect it.
9. ST. JOHN'S - a young team last year takes a step forward this year and gets 3 new recruits to help. They were playing much better basketball down the stretch last season. They still aren't good enough to challenge better teams in the conference, but 1-17 in the conference won't happen again. And they are much, much better than DePaul.
10. DEPAUL - just no hope. No reason to think things will get any better. No reason to write any more than this.
