Big East Basketball: Will anyone challenge the defending champs?

Mar 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Khadeen Carrington (0) cuts down the net after the Pirates won the championship game of the Big East conference tournament against Villanova at Madison Square Garden. Seton Hall Pirates defeated Villanova Wildcats 69-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 8, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright hods up the V sign to fans during the championship parade route to Dilworth Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the next few weeks, we will preview the best conferences heading into the 2016-17 season. Let’s continue with the Big East basketball conference.

Three years after realignment transformed the Big East from a stacked 16-team league to a comfortable 10-team league, the conference is right on par with the majority of other Power Five conferences.

Not only is Villanova coming off their first National Title since 1985, but other teams are finding their groove nationally. Xavier has become one of the more consistent programs in the nation. Creighton has gotten back on their feet for the first time since the departure of Doug McDermott.

Seton Hall made their first NCAA Tournament since 2006. Marquette, St. John’s and DePaul are on the upswing. Butler still has nice pieces despite the departures of Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones. Providence has made three straight NCAA Tournaments. And of course, Georgetown has the potential to rebound following a poor 2015-16 season.

Most of the teams in the conference are also dominating on the recruiting trail. Xavier has a top-10 class in 2017, while Villanova and Creighton also have impressive groups lined up.

So remember when the Big East was dead?

Even though nothing can top the 16-team “old” Big East, this conference never went anywhere. The league has re-branded itself into a group of 10 basketball only schools that will duke it out home-and-away, continue to take centerstage at the greatest arena in basketball and find success through more team oriented rosters than star power.

And this year should be no different than last year, except for the fact that more squads could have success in March. The Big East sent half their league to the Big Dance in 2015-16, so I don’t expect anything less in 2016-17.

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