

Adding either one or three additional universities would enable the Big East to retain an even number of teams in the standings. Every other power conference has added programs in the last decade, including the Big East. Yet a wave of conference realignment across the NCAA leaves the Big East with a crucial decision of whether expansion will prove profitable.Įxpansion would be beneficial for the league’s ability to create more excitement around the Big East’s current product and elevate existing brands. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-80 (CO).It has been eight years since the original Big East Conference folded, with the basketball-focused so-called “Catholic 7” forming a new non-football conference. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. They’ll have to fend off some stiff competition, though. I have very little doubt that this team shifts into another gear about midway through conference play and becomes the definite championship favorite. They still have Collin Gilespie, a talented and experienced starting five, and are the most battle-tested of any Big East team. Maybe Seton Hall can do it, but I’ll take my chances with the Wildcats. However, I can’t see another team being better than them in the Big East. Villanova hasn’t fared all that well against the upper-echelon teams that its gone up against so far, and the offense has games where it looks extremely rough.

It’s been a somewhat unfulfilling season thus far for Jay Wright’s squad. If it can translate to wins, don’t be surprised to see Kaiden Rice get some Newcomer of the Year love. Rice’s ability to get hot and dominate from deep gives the Hoyas some additional watch-ability. Through non-conference, Rice leads all Big East players in three-point makes (39) and ranks fifth in three-point percentage (43.3). One of the more fun additions to the Big East conference is Kaiden Rice, a senior wing who spent four seasons at The Citadel. Kaiden Rice (guard/forward) – Georgetown Hoyas Hopefully, he can get back sooner rather than later. However, Sanogo is dealing with an abdominal injury that’s keeping him out for the time being. He put up 30 against a nationally-ranked Auburn squad and has two other games with 20 points scored. Those stats honestly don’t paint the picture of how capable Sanogo is at times. Sanogo is up from 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman to 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds during his sophomore season. Keep an eye on Tipico‘s odds.Īnother Big East big man making a drastic jump from Year 1 to 2 is Adama Sanogo. He could very well be a DPOY candidate by the season’s end. Oh yeah, and Kalkbrenner is more than doubling his points from a season ago (5.9 to 12.7 ppg). He’s tallied five blocks on three separate occasions and is altering a high percentage of shots at the rim. The regularly high-scoring Jays are beating teams with defense, anchored by Kalkbreener’s interior protection. In his sophomore season with the Bluejays, 7’1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner is changing Creighton’s DNA. Ryan Kalkbrenner (center) – Creighton Bluejays He’ll be in Big East Player of the Year consideration come March. There’s an argument to be made that Moore is as important to the Wildcats’ success as his backcourt mate Collin Gilespie, which says a lot about his versatility as a player. He’s second on the team in scoring (15.6), assists (2.9) and third in rebounding (5.5). The junior guard is doing a little of everything for Jay Wright. Villanova hasn’t earned the signature wins during non-conference play that we thought it would, but that’s not because of Justin Moore. Justin Moore (guard) – Villanova Wildcats The iconic basketball conference is still one of the best in all of college basketball and has another set of players you should get familiar with.

Whether it’s Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullen, Ray Allen, Doug McDermott or any other special talent, the Big East conference is responsible for producing some of college basketball’s biggest names and greatest players.
