But a string of upsets while in the tourney, most notably George Mason's surprising upset of UConn, left the Significant East without having a Ultimate Four group. This 12 months, the conference will look to repeat its regular-season good results even though bringing property Ultimate Four appearances - and perhaps a national title.
With pre-season leading 25 picks in Syracuse, Connecticut, PIttsburgh, and more, the major of your Big East appears as challenging as ever. Nonetheless the conference's strength has historically been its depth, so we commence our preview with all the projected bottom half from the conference.
(2005-06 information comprise of post-season effects)
South Florida Bulls
2005-06 Outcomes: 7-22, 1-15 Big East
Vital Losses: G James Holmes, F Solomon Jones
South Florida's introduction to Substantial East play was a rude one, as they went 1-15 in their inaugural season, their only win coming in their last game in the home towards Georgetown. Heading into this season, the Bulls get rid of their leading two scorers from a yr ago, and one more last-place finish looks likely. A decent recruiting class may likely contribute straight away, but South Florida includes a long way to head to catch up with all the rest in the Major East.
Projected Finish: Sixteenth
Cincinnati Bearcats
2005-06 Effects: 21-13, 8-8 Enormous East, misplaced to in Finals
Critical Losses: G-F James White, F Eric Hicks, G Jihad Muhammad, G Devan Downey (transfer)
Considered one of final year's greatest disappointments, the Bearcats eliminate four starters and 6 of eight top rated scorers from a year in the past (which include level guard Devan Downey, who transferred to South Carolina). New coach Mick Cronin will test to rebuild a system left in disarray from the ouster of former coach Bob Huggins as well as a turbulent season underneath interim coach Andy Kennedy.
That explained, the Bearcats nonetheless have talent. Forward Cedric McGowan was a hard-nosed bruiser a year ago; a fantastic rebounder, he must expand his offensive manufacturing within the absence of foremost scorers James White and Eric Hicks. Four junior university transfers should always contribute at once for your Bearcats to compete inside the Great East this season. But with such a substantial reduction of talent, in addition to a new scheme, this seems to be for being a rebuilding yr for Cincinnati.
Projected Finish: Fifteenth
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2005-06 Effects: 19-14, 7-9 Big East, misplaced to St. Joseph's in initial round of NIT
Main Losses: G Quincy Douby, C Jimmie Inglis
No team suffered a bigger loss than Rutgers did when Quincy Douby declared for the (he went 19th to Sacramento). Douby led the conference in scoring in 2005-06 (and finished eighth while in the nation) with 25.one points per game.
The junior guard led the Knights in scoring in all but one game a 12 months in the past (a meaningless early-season win above Delaware State).
Rutgers does return 7 members of final year's rotation, as well as RAC stays a surprisingly tough spot to play. But unless two or 3 Scarlet Knights phase up the scoring, any improvement above final year's tenth-place finish will undoubtedly be challenging to realize.
Projected Finish: Fourteenth
Fighting Irish
2005-06 Effects: 16-14, 6-10 Enormous East, lost to Michigan in 2nd round of NIT
Major Losses: G Chris Quinn, F Torin Francis
The Notre Dame season ended fittingly a 12 months ago: having a double-overtime reduction to Michigan. The Irish misplaced eleven games by six factors or less a 12 months ago - as well as four straight by a total of eight points - and have been seemingly only a handful of bounces far from an effective season. Notre Dame loses leading scorer Chris Quinn and their most desirable massive man Torin Francis, but 3 starters and two vital reserves return.
Sophomore Kyle McAlarney will help fill Quinn's sneakers; he averaged 6 plus a half points a game a yr ago off the bench. The query for that Irish might be from the frontcourt. 3 sophomores and two freshmen will battle for taking part in time alongside returning starter Rob Kurz; their effectiveness will probable dictate the Irish' accomplishment this season.
There's enough talent here for that Irish to aim for an alternative NIT berth; but a twenty-win season or an NCAA Tournament bid seem somewhat from attain for this squad.
Projected Finish: Thirteenth
Mountaineers
2005-06 Success: 22-11, 11-5 Tremendous East, lost to Texas in Sweet Sixteen of NCAA Tournament
Primary Losses: C Kevin Pittsnogle, F Mike Gansey, G Johannes Herber, G Patrick Beilein, G J.D. Collins
West Virginia's back-to-back run of Sweet Sixteen appearances is in jeopardy this season, since the loss of 4 starters - and their 4 top scorers - signals a rebuilding year in Morgantown. Senior forward Frank Youthful could be the only returning starter, and alongside stage guard Darris Nichols the only veterans about the Mountaineer roster this 12 months. Butler transfer Jamie Smalligan will add size to your frontcourt, but West Virginia will undoubtedly be forced to depend on a number of unproven players this season.
How properly the Mountaineers be successful will depend on their capability to run coach Jim Beilein's offense, and if inexperienced players this kind of as sophomore Alex Ruoff and freshman Joe Mazzulla can contribute. With so little go through, it'll be a mastering season for the Mountaineers, and also the achievement within the previous two seasons would seem unlikely.
Projected Finish: Twelfth
Seton Hall Pirates
2005-06 Effects: 18-12, 9-7 Massive East, misplaced to Wichita State in 1st round of NCAA Tournament
Key Losses: PG Donald Copeland, F-C Kelly Whitney
Seton Hall was the suprise in the Substantial East a 12 months ago; picked to finish fifteenth through the coaches, they as a substitute won eighteen video games and acquired an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The Pirates, but nevertheless, can have a new search in 2006-2007, and it could not be rather. New coach Bobby Gonzalez (lured far from School) inherits a squad that loses its two major scorers from final year's group, and lacks a constant threat to exchange them. With expert guards Jamar Nutter and Paul Gause, and depth within the frontcourt, the Pirates will nevertheless be competitive. But one more NCAA Tournament run seems highly unlikely. Then again, it appeared so a 12 months ago, too.
Projected Finish: Eleventh
Providence Friars
2005-06 Final results: 12-15, 5-11 Enormous East
Crucial Losses: G Donnie McGrath
The Friars have gone a combined 9-23 in Substantial East play the past two seasons, but 2006-07 need to be an improvement. In spite of shedding top rated scorer Donnie McGrath, Providence returns 4 starters and two a great deal more crucial reserves, whilst also welcoming a decent recruiting class. Right after competing with only eight scholarship players a 12 months ago, the Friars are going to be deeper and more experienced. If rising sophomore Sharaud Curry can shoulder the burden left by McGrath, Providence will probably be a hazardous staff.
Projected Finish: Tenth
Villanova Wildcats
2005-06 Outcomes: 28-5, 14-2 Enormous East, misplaced to Florida in Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament
Primary Losses: G Randy Foye, G Allan Ray, G Kyle Lowry, G Mike Nardi
The Wildcats' dream season came to a cruel finish towards eventual nationwide champion Florida a yr ago, just short from the Last Four. Now, the Wildcats should rebuild with out their top 6 gamers of a 12 months in the past. Forwards Shane Clark and Dante Cunningham lead the returning Wildcats, though just about every averaged just above two factors a game a year ago. The addition of All-American Scottie Reynolds will help, but the significant bonus is the return from injury of F Curtis Sumpter, a two-time All Massive East assortment who'll lead this youthful Villanova team.
Even with Sumpter, but nevertheless, the Wildcats look to have a challenging time scoring. With so minor encounter and so number of offensive threats, the Wildcats appear unlikely to finish from the best five on the Large East, let alone repeat their quantity 5 national ranking of 2005-06. The talent is there for coach Jay Wright, but Villanova is no less than a year far from returning to national - or even Enormous East - contention zx10r fairings.
Projected Finish: Ninth
