Carl Berman 
9 Nov 2012 
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Peyton Siva
1. Louisville Cardinals
Rick Pitino’s Cardinals start the 2012-13 campaign ranked number 2 in the preseason poll behind the Indiana Hoosiers. After inconsistent play in the Big East last season (10-8), Louisville made an amazing run in the postseason by winning the Big East Tournament and then making it to the Final Four in New Orleans. Louisville is returning most of their key contributors from last season including senior point guard and team leader Peyton Siva (Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player), defensive machine at center Gorgui Dieng (led Big East in shot blocking and third in rebounding), and frontcourt starter Chane Behanan (Big East All-Rookie Team). The Cardinals will be one of the best defensive teams in the nation, ranking sixth in the nation last season holding opponents to 38.4 percent shooting. Look for Louisville to make another run to the Final Four in 2013, this time we won’t be surprised.
2. Syracuse Orange
‘Cuse had a great year in 2011-2012 winning the Big East by finishing at 17-1 and making an Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse lost three players in this years NBA Draft, but they will be fighting for another top spot in the Big East. The Orange still have a lot of talent including Senior point guard Brandon Triche, and forwards C.J. Fair, James Southerland, and Rakeem Christmas. Incoming freshman big man DaJuan Coleman (McDonald’s All-American, #14 prospect by ESPN) will be a big boost for the Orange’ frontcourt.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish will have a lot of talented experience on the 2012-13 roster lead by 6’9”, 244 lb., senior forward Jack Cooley. Cooley became one of the Big East’s most productive big men (12.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and captured the Big East Most Improved Player award. Cooley is paired with 2 other seniors in the front court, Scott Martin and Garrick Sherman (transfer from MSU), which should make the Irish tough to guard down low. The Irish are also equipped with two juniors in the back court, Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant (second and third leading scorers behind Cooley), who will be helped by incoming point forward Cameron Biedscheid (#28 recruit from rivals.com). With an experienced core and plenty of depth, Mike Brey will have his team competing for a top spot in the Big East.
4. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati has established itself as a force in Big East competition especially last year as they finished runner up in the Big East Tournament Final, and made the NCAA Sweet 16. Losing big time performer Yancy Gates in the middle will be hard to replace but if Cincinnati has showed us anything in the last few years, its toughness. Senior guard Cashmere Wright is a great defender with very good playmaking skills and his backcourt-mate, sharp shooting Sean Kilpatrick (37.6 percent 3 point FG) will carry the offensive load. Kilpatrick, who lead the team in scoring last year, will be one of the top shooting guards in the conference. Coach Mick Cronin brings in three frontcourt players to fill the void left by Gates.
Steven Adams with Dwight Howard
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
No better word could describe the Panthers’ 2011-12 season but disappointment after being ranked in the preseason top 10 to finishing 13th in the Big East. They failed to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time after 10 straight seasons. The Panthers lost 13 conference games which is more than their previous 3 seasons combined, but something tells us that will change. Maybe it’s the top 5 recruit (highest recruit in Pitt history) native of New Zealand, Steve Adams, who at 7’ is an extremely athletic center who is a great shot blocker, rebounder, and scorer around the basket. Adams will make a huge splash in the Big East and is the favorite to win Big East Rookie of the Year. Tray Woodall is back from injury and will lead the Panthers in the backcourt with his scoring and distributing ability joined by a talented transfer G/F Trey Zeigler, 5 upperclassmen, and another highly rated freshmen guard in James Robinson.
6. Georgetown Hoyas
Georgetown was one of the youngest teams in the Big East last year but still managed to have a good year finishing 12-6.. The Hoyas lose three starters from last season including All-First Team Big East, Jason Clark, whose void will likely be filled by sophomore standout Otto Porter. Coach John Thompson III calls Porter, “one of the best in the country”. The Hoyas gained a lot of experience last year and are ready to step up. There are no seniors on the 2012-13 roster but the Hoyas have depth and promising freshmen.
Vander Blue
7. Marquette Golden Eagles
Jae Crowder (Big East Player of The Year) and teammate Darius Johnson-Odom (Big East First Team) will be sorely missed for the Golden Eagles after they finished second in the Big East (14-4 record) and advanced to their second straight sweet 16 appearance. This year’s team will rely mostly on their guard play with returning starters Vander Blue and Junior Cadougan and Arizona State transfer Trent Lockett. Jamil Wilson’s versatility will help the frontcourt and he may be on the verge of a breakout season. Marquette has been to the NCAA Tournament every season since they entered the Big East (7 total) and will play a very up-tempo style to try and get back there for the 2012-13 season.
8. South Florida Bulls
USF was one of the most surprising teams in the Big East last season finishing with a 12-6 Big East record and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993. Coach Stan Heath won the well deserved Big East Coach of the Year award by leading the team to a Big East defensive record, allowing opponents to only 56.6 points per game. The Bulls strong defense will be a key factor for the 2012-13 season along with last year’s All- Rookie First Team PG Anthony Collins. Collins can be one of the league’s best point guards and he will be surrounded by an experienced roster as he looks to lead this team back to the NCAA tournament.
Shabazz Napier
9. Connecticut Huskies
First year head coach Kevin Ollie has the biggest shoes to fill in the country after legendary head coach Jim Calhoun retired. Ollie has a talented backcourt to work with that includes junior Shabazz Napier, soph Ryan Boatright, and a very talented recruit in Omar Calhoun from New York City. The Huskies will rely on one of the Big East’s most talented backcourts because of a depleted frontcourt which lost C Andre Drummond to the NBA Draft and F/C Alex Oriakhi who transferred. It is going to be a challenging year for the Huskies who will be ineligible to qualify for the NCAA Tournament and the Big East Tournament because of NCAA violations.
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers battled last year with the 5th youngest team in the nation including 7 freshmen. They managed 6 wins in Big East play including two top 10 upsets. The sophomore guard trio of Eli Carter, Myles Mack, and Jerome Seagers have a year of experience and will only improve. Coach Mike Rice brings in two transfers to provide an instant impact, Wally Judge (Kansas State), and Vincent Garrett (Lee College). Rutgers will only get better and keep progressing in the Big East.
11. St. John’s Red Storm
Many things went wrong in the 2011-12 season for St. John’s including three top 100 recruits ruled ineligible (Amir Garrett came back second semester), two players leaving the team, and Head Coach Steve Lavin being diagnosed with prostate cancer which he missed most of the season recovering. The Johnnies had the youngest team in school history and only played 6-7 guys a night. Even though the Red Storm loses Big East Rookie of the Year, Maurice Harkless (NBA), they bring in talented freshmen Jakarr Sampson and Chris Obekpa, along with Texas A&M transfer Jamal Branch to make immediate impact. Look out for G D’Angelo Harrison who will be one of the top scorers in the Big East. While the team is still very young, St. John’s has more talent, more depth, and has their Head Coach Steve Lavin back to lead them.
12. DePaul Blue Demons
Let’s face it, DePaul has been awful in Big East play for the last four years winning a total of 5 games in that span. DePaul returns their top four scorers including stand out junior forward Cleveland Melvin (17.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Melvin is partnered with another very good junior guard Brandon Young and fellow junior Moses Morgan. This team has struggled defensively and also has a hard time rebounding. This core group of juniors and a heavy load of incoming freshmen will continue to run an up-tempo offense and will be hungry to finally get out of the Big East basement.
13. Villanova Wildcats
The Wildcats are coming off a year to forget failing to make the NCAA tournament with only 5 wins in Big East play after being nationally ranked for about a decade. This year won’t be much easier after losing their junior backcourt to the pros. The team will be looking to find a leader and consistent play. Incoming freshmen, two top 50 recruits, PG Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu will make immediate impacts and may even be starters. The frontcourt is filled with experience and will be the focus of this team while the backcourt looks to develop and replace last year’s starters.
14. Seton Hall Pirates
The Pirates are coming off a good year which they earned a bid to the N.I.T. This year, there is a lot of uncertainty especially because the Pirates don’t have a point guard. What the Pirates do have are two transfers who will likely be the biggest contributors in C Gene Teague (Southern Illinois) and G/F Brian Oliver (Georgia Tech). There are a lot of high expectations for versatile wing, FuQuan Edwin, who is a great defender. If all the pieces form together and these players become as good as expected, Seton Hall may make a push at another postseason bid but there are a lot of problems that need to be solved first.
Vincent Council
15. Providence Friars
After Ed Cooley became head coach in March he changed the culture in Providence immediately by landing two 5-star guards Ricardo Ledo and Kris Dunn. But problems came quickly when Dunn had shoulder surgery in July and Ledo was ruled ineligible for the 2012-13 season. Senior point guard Vincent Council is a bright spot on this Friars team after leading the league in assists (7.5 apg) and being a productive scorer (15.9 ppg) last season while playing almost every minute. Council will have Dunn back in late November/early December but he will be carrying a heavy load again all year. Last year’s All-Conference Rookie, forward LaDontae Henton will help the Friars in the frontcourt after an exceptional freshman campaign.
Big East Awards
Player of the Year-
G Peyton Siva, Louisville
Big East First Team
F/C Jack Cooley, Notre Dame
G Vincent Council, Providence
F Otto Porter, Georgetown
G Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati
G Peyton Siva, Louisville
Big East Second Team
G Brandon Triche, Syracuse
F Cleveland Melvin, DePaul
C Gorgui Dieng, Louisville
G Anthony Collins, USF
G D’Angelo Harrison, St. John’s
Rookie of the Year
C Steven Adams, Pittsburgh
Top Recruits
C Steven Adams, Pittsburgh
F/C DaJuan Coleman, Syracuse
G Kris Dunn, Providence
G Omar Calhoun, Connecticut
John Cavaliere is a Correspondent and Scout for NetScouts Basketball.
