Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Will anyone challenge the defending champs?

By Carmine Carcieri

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
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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Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack talks with the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack talks with the media during a practice day before the first round of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Xavier Musketeers

2015-16 record: 27-5 overall, 14-4 in Big East

Head coach: Chris Mack

Key returning players: Trevon Bluiett, Edmond Sumner, Myles Davis (currently suspended), J.P. Macura, Kaiser Gates, Sean O’Mara

Newcomers: Four-star SG Quentin Goodin, four-star PF Tyrique Jones, Norfolk State transfer F RaShid Gaston, Florida A&M GS G Malcolm Bernard

If it wasn’t for Bronson Koenig’s stunning buzzer beating three pointer, the Xavier Musketeers would’ve had a realistic shot to challenge the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2016 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Unfortunately for Chris Mack and company, things didn’t turn out well for their team and the Musketeers were eliminated from the Big Dance after a marvelous season.

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In 2016-17, Xavier once again should be a top-10 team for the majority of the season. Trevon Bluiett and Edmond Sumner, the two top players on the roster, are back for at least another year, and the Musketeers still have the balance and depth that made them such a dangerous team a year ago.

Myles Davis is still serving a suspension for criminal damaging charges, so it’s unknown as to when he will be returning. Our guess is that Xavier is waiting for the criminal process to weigh itself out before they take action.

Without Davis, the Musketeers will be at void of leadership, meaning that Malcolm Bernard and Quentin Goodin will pick up more minutes.

Meanwhile, Mack is trying to replace the departures of James Farr and Jalen Reynolds in the front court. That task will be up to Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston, freshman Tyrique Jones and big man Sean O’Mara.

The Musketeers are legit title contenders and have an outside shot of challenging the defending National Champs for the Big East crown.

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