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Big East Conference Preview
UHND.com - Andrew Amato
11/22/2001
This will be another great season in the Big East. There
are several good teams. But no teams that flat out jump out and look like national
title contenders. There will be a lot of parity in the conference from top to bottom.
Even Virginia Tech has improved in its second season in the Big East. On the other
hand, Rutgers has fallen and will not get out of the cellar. They are my prediction of who
will not even reach the Big East tournament.
East:
1. UConn- They're back. Caron Butler and his young teammates have a year under their belts
and Jim Calhoun and lead this team to a conference title.
2. BC- Tough to follow up last season's success. Then again, with an easy schedule it can
happen.
3. Miami-Another good young team. Darius Rice is a solid, great player! An empty arena is
always tough to play in. That's why it's tough for visiting teams to go to South Beach and
win.
***The top 3 here can be shuffled in any way, shape, or form.
4. Villanova- Always a solid team who pulls off a few "upsets" every season.
They could very easily slip into the 3 position. Providence- A good young
team with a good leader in Linehan.
5. Providence- A good young team with a good leadership and a great point guard.
6. SJU- You never know what to expect from this team! Another team who could slide up in
the division.
7. Virginia Tech- Still the newcomer to the Big East. This team has improved, but don't
expect to see any change in the standings.
West:
1. Syracuse- They have senior leadership, great shooters, and a tremendous coach.
2. ND- They have 4 returning starters who average double figures and a McDonald's All
American at the point. This team will be very good. Frankly, they will be better without
Troy Murphy.
3. Georgetown- Well, we know they aren't going to start 16-0 this season. I think they are
overrated once again. They will have their ups and downs during the regular season. They
will be tough to beat in the BE Tourney and also will make a run in the NCAA's.
*** Like the East, this top 3 can shuffle!
4. Seton Hall- Like ND, I think they will be better without their superstar. They
have great point guards, a great shooter, and a large prescence in the post. Manga can
step up. He just has to stay out of foul trouble.
5. West Virginia- Another tough team to play on the road in Morgantown. They will have
their share of upsets as they welcome a highly touted prospect to their backcourt.
6. Pittsburgh- Solid, young team who's tough to defeat at Fitzgerald Field House. They too
with have their share of upsets.
7. Rutgers- This team has gotten worse. Their best player transferred to Duke!
***4, 5, 6 spots can shuffle!
NCAA Tourney:
UConn, BC, ND, 'Cuse, G'Town
Bubble: Prov, 'Nova, SJU, SHU
NIT:
Pitt, WVU
This will be another great season in the Big East with a lot of good teams and parity will
surface again!