The Big East’s grip on the college basketball
world just got bigger as the conference borders now spread from the Atlantic
Coast to the shores of Lake Michigan. The addition of Midwest programs
DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, and Cincinnati to an already loaded field
instantly makes The Big East the toughest and deepest conference in the
land. Here is a look at what the super-conference’s resident fans can expect
from their new neighbors:
DePaul – In addition to joining a new league the Blue Demons will
also feature a new head coach, Jerry Wainwright. Wainwright, who takes over
for Virginia bound Dave Leitao, comes to the Windy City from Richmond where
he led the Spiders to an at-large bid in the 2004 NCAA tournament and a 3
year 50-41 record. In addition to adjusting to a new coach DePaul must also
quickly learn to succeed without last year’s top two scorers, Quemont Greer
and Drake Diener. Leading the way will be returning junior PG Sammy Mejia as
well as Street and Smith’s High School Honorable Mention All-Americans G
Rashad Woods, G Jabari Currie, and F Wilson Chandler. Even with a lack of
offensive firepower don’t expect anyone to run roughshod over the Blue
Demons as Wainwright will be installing a system that led his defenses at
Richmond and UNC-Wilmington to be nationally ranked. Although not quite
ready for prime time DePaul has already made their presence felt in Big East
recruiting circles as 4 current Blue Demons call New York City home. Having
recruiting inroads in the talent-rich pools of Chicago and New York
certainly bodes well for DePaul’s future.
Louisville – Rick Pitino’s appointment as head coach at Louisville
has had Kentucky fans in the Bluegrass State seeing red as the renaissance
of Cardinals basketball he has led has been nothing short of remarkable,
culminating in last season’s trip to the Final Four. This year’s club will
be without star SF Francisco Garcia as well as heart and soul guys F Ellis
Myles and G/F Larry O’Bannon. Although heavy losses for any team to endure
the Cardinals are deep and the departing production should be recovered by
newcomers Brian Johnson, a potential stud PF who was injured last year,
Kansas transfer David Padgett, and blue chip SF Terrance Williams. Senior SG
Taquean Dean will take over leadership of the club while sophomore Juan
Diego Palacios looks to improve on a solid freshman campaign that saw him
produce 9.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg. Louisville has the talent and the coach to be
an immediate force in the Big East.
Marquette – Since their unexpected Final Four run in 2003 Tom Crean’s
Golden Eagles have been a disappointment, failing to qualify for the NCAA
tournament in each of the last two seasons. Last year’s floor general,
Travis Diener, was a 2nd round draft pick by the Orlando Magic
leaving senior marksman Steve Novak as the only consistent offensive threat.
Despite his long frame, accuracy, and NBA range the 6’10” Novak has found it
difficult to create his own shot with opposing defenses no longer
overlooking him to shut down the exploits of Diener and Dwyane Wade. Help is
on the way however in the form of one of the strongest freshman classes in
the country led by three top 100 recruits, PG Dominic James, SG Jerel McNeal
and SF Wes Matthews. All 3 could potentially be in the starting lineup
opening night along with Novak giving the Golden Eagles the most athletic
look they’ve had in recent memory. It might take a year for them to adjust
to a new conference and for the freshmen to adjust to a higher level of
competition but expect Marquette to make their presence felt in the very
near future.
Cincinnati – The departure of mercurial head coach Bob Huggins ushers
in a new era of Bearcat basketball in the Queen City. Interim coach Andy
Kennedy has some sizeable shoes to fill as Cincinnati has qualified for the
NCAA tournament 14 straight seasons. Fortunately for Kennedy Huggins did not
leave the cupboards bare as the Bearcats return rugged F Eric Hicks along
with a talented recruiting class including Kentucky’s reigning Mr.
Basketball PG Dominick Tilford, last season’s player of the year in South
Carolina G Devan Downey, and junior college transfer F Cedric McGowan.
Kennedy’s familiarity with the Bearcats will certainly help as he has served
at Cincinnati the last 4 years as an assistant coach and recruiting
coordinator. If Kennedy is able to maintain the Bearcat’s trademark tenacity
and develop the players he helped recruit for Huggins Cincinnati should be
in the thick of the Big East race with an eye on a 15th straight NCAA
appearance.
