Conference Preview: Big East

The new season looks like it will be one of rebuilding for the Big East. Almost all of the teams -- save perhaps St. John's -- suffered heavy personnel losses. It is unlikely that the conference will boast a pair of one-seeds as they did with Villanova and Xavier last year. Despite having four players drafted from last year's national championship squad, the Wildcats will again be the favorite. Holdovers such as Eric Paschall and Phil Booth should be ready for bigger roles, and players such as Colin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels will join the regular rotation. Villanova will be fine.

On paper, the Red Storm may have the most talent in the conference. The big question looming over the conference is whether Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron will be eligible immediately. The 6-5 guard applied for a hardship waiver and the NCAA will likely provide a ruling prior to the season. Coach Chris Mullin should have plenty of options even if Heron has to sit out. Shamorie Ponds led the conference in scoring and Justin Simon became an all-around fantasy threat. Guard Mikey Dixon, a transfer from Quinnipiac, will be eligible after scoring 16.5 points for the Bobcats two years ago. Things could get interesting in Queens if everything comes together.

Center: Jessie Govan, Georgetown Hoyas

An argument could be made that Govan should be the top player selected in Tier 1 drafts*. The 6-foot-10 center is by far the most productive returning pivotman after providing 17.9 points and 10.0 rebounds as a junior. Center is such a hard slot to fill, and a fantasy owner who knows he or she will get consistent double-doubles will be a threat to win every week.

Expect opposing defenses to collapse on Govan, however. In his junior season, he slowed down in conference play after six games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first eight contests. The Hoyas do not have an established secondary option, which also means that Govan will get a bucketful of offensive opportunities (which should lead to plenty of filled buckets).

Also considered: Nate Fowler, Butler; Nate Watson, Providence; Jacob Epperson, Creighton

Freshman: Jahvon Quinerly, Villanova Wildcats

While coach Jay Wright does not quite reload like the Kentuckys and Dukes of the world, the Wildcats will continue to rack up wins. Villanova has capable replacements for all of the players that left except Jalen Brunson. The national Player of the Year would have been hard to replace even if there were a capable point guard on the roster. Quinerly spurned Arizona when that team of Wildcats was hit with recruiting violations, and the bright young prospect ended up in Philly. He is extremely quick and has excellent court vision. Unlike Brunson, Quinerly is on the small side at 6-1, 175 lbs. Wright doesn't always rely on freshmen, but Quinerly should get plenty of minutes and lead Villanova in assists.

Also considered: Joey Hauser, Marquette; David Duke, Providence; Jimmy Nichols, Providence; Bryce Golden, Butler; Josh Akinjo, Georgetown

Scoring: Markus Howard, Marquette Golden Eagles

There are plenty of excellent scoring guards in the Big East. Ponds led the conference in scoring, but he may be eclipsed by Howard in 2018-19 season. The 5-11 junior averaged 20.4 points last season and did not lead the Golden Eagles. Andrew Rowsey (20.5 points) has moved on, so Howard could get even more shots. Marquette has Sam Hauser and freshman Joey Hauser to help on offense and Joseph Chartouny will help with ball handling duties. Howard should get plenty of open shots. The guard scored 30 points or more six times, including a 52-point outburst in an overtime win against Providence. Had Howard not hurt his hip in mid-February, he probably would have won the Big East scoring title last year. Look for Howard to fill it up as a junior.

Also considered: Ponds; Kamar Baldwin, Butler; Myles Powell, Seton Hall; Quincy McKnight, Seton Hall; Ryan Welage, Xavier, Max Strus, DePaul

Rebounding: Zach Hankins, Xavier Musketeers

Govan is the clear leader for board work in the Big East and there are plenty of other potential players listed below who could bump up their rebounding numbers. The 6-10 Hankins is more of a dark horse, but he fits a clear need in the Musketeer rotation. In the beginning of the season, he may split time with Tyrique Jones, but the reigning Division II Player of the Year at Ferris State could be the starting center by the season's midpoint. Hankins was a Division I prospect in high school before foot injuries derailed his career. He has been healthy the past three seasons and averaged 15.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in 2017-18. Xavier is going to rebuild on the fly with Hankins and Columbia transfer Kyle Castlin.

Also considered: Eric Paschall, Villanova; Ed Morrow, Marquette; Martin Krampelj, Creighton; Femi Olujobi, DePaul; Emmitt Holt, Providence; Justin Simon, St. John's

Assists: Shamorie Ponds, St. John's Red Storm

The 6-1 Ponds showed that he has NBA aspirations by applying for the draft. In order to play point guard at the next level, the junior will have to show that he can facilitate the offense. It will be easier for him if Heron is eligible, because the Auburn transfer will be a massive upgrade on anyone else on the Red Storm roster. Even if Heron does not play this year, Ponds can improve on his 4.7 assists from last season. Better passing could lead to more judicious shot selection. The guard only hit 25.3 percent of his 3-pointers and 42.0 percent from the field overall. Ponds will always be a shot-first player, but St. John's will be better if he shoots a little less and sets up his teammates more.

Also considered: Quinerly; Simon; Quintin Goodin, Xavier; Joseph Chartouny, Marquette; Davion Mintz, Creighton

Sleepers

David Duke, freshman guard, Providence Friars

Maliek White has spent two seasons coming off the bench in support of Kyron Cartwright, so he may have earned his shot to start. Unfortunately for White, he may have to continue to be a reserve if the 6-4 Duke forces his way into the starting lineup. The freshman looked like the Friars' most athletic player on the offseason trip to Italy. After playing high school ball in Providence for three seasons, he played for Cushing Academy as a high school senior and averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. Duke is one of a few Friar freshmen, including Jimmy Nichols and A.J. Reeves, who may join the rotation for coach Ed Cooley.

Jacob Epperson, center, Creighton Bluejays

Although Martin Krampelj looks like he could be back near the start of the season after tearing his ACL last January, he may be somewhat limited. Enter the 6-11 Epperson, who played in 12 games for the Bluejays as a freshman. The center had knee surgery in December and was slated to redshirt, but the Krampelj injury brought him off the bench. He scored in double digits three times, but one of those games was against Bemidji State. He only attempted four 3-pointers, and made all of them. Even when Krampelj comes back, there should be a big place in the Creighton rotation for the Australian native. Epperson will likely beat out fellow Aussie Samson Froling for the starting spot and put up reasonable numbers.

Also considered: Myles Cale, Seton Hall; Naji Marshall, Xavier; Ty-Shon Alexander, Creighton; Jaylen Butz, DePaul; Mac McClung, Georgetown

Top-10**
1. Shamorie Ponds, G, St. John's
2. Markus Howard, G, Marquette
3. Jessie Govan, C, Georgetown
4. Justin Simon, G, St. John's
5. Alpha Diallo, F, Providence
6. Eric Paschall, F, Villanova
7. Sam Hauser, F, Marquette
8. Quincy McKnight, G, Seton Hall
9. Zach Hankins, C, Xavier
10. Kamar Baldwin, G, Butler

*Tier 1 is defined as our primary fantasy college basketball player pool, which includes Big East, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC, ACC & Big Ten
**If Mustapha Heron is ineligible. Ponds and Simon will lose value if not.