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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Feb 24, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Maurice Watson Jr. (10) looks to pass against the Marquette Golden Eagles in the second half at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Marquette defeated Creighton 66-61. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Creighton Bluejays

2015-16 record: 18-14 overall, 9-9 in Big East

Head coach: Greg McDermott

Key returning players: Maurice Watson Jr., Cole Huff, Isaiah Zierden, Zach Hanson, Khyri Thomas, Toby Hegner, Ronnie Harrell Jr.

Newcomers: Three-star SF Kobe Paras, non-ranked PG Davion Mintz, Kansas State transfer G Marcus Foster, F Martin Krampelj (sat out all of last year due to injury), F/C Justin Patton (redshirted)

This is the most hyped Creighton team since Doug McDermott graduated.

Between the backcourt of Maurice Watson Jr. and Marcus Foster and the front court that is anchored by Cole Huff, the Bluejays have a roster that should keep them in the top-25 for the majority of the season.

Last season, Watson was one of the best point guards in the Big East. He put up 14.1 points, 6.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, while impacting the game with his speed, attacking mentality and quickness. In 2016-17, Watson will continue to play with a chip on his shoulder and could capture the honor of Big East Player of the Year.

But the reason for Creighton’s optimism is Watson’s combination with Foster. The shooting guard from Kansas State averaged a stellar 15.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his freshman year before his averages dropped off across the board in his sophomore season. The Bluejays are hoping that within a new environment Foster can flip his game back to old ways.

There are already rave reviews about Foster’s ability to score the basketball and defend on the perimeter, so Creighton could have the most lethal backcourt in the Big East.

Then there’s Huff. We all know what the senior is capable of, especially after he exploded for 35 points against Seton Hall in their first match-up in the Big East Tournament last year. If he can stay healthy (and overcome his knee injury), he will be a dynamic third scorer.

Replacing Geoffrey Groselle is going to be the main problem for the Bluejays, as Zach Hanson, Toby Hegner and Ronnie Harrell Jr. will have to step into bigger roles. Even Justin Patton will need to have an immediate impact up front next to Huff and company.

I’d be awfully surprised if Creighton finished outside of the top three in the Big East in 2016-17. However, that doesn’t mean they will make a long run when March comes around. They must stay healthy, Foster has to revert to his freshman ways and the front court must be consistent.

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