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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Mar 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles center Luke Fischer (40) dribbles around Xavier Musketeers forward Jalen Reynolds (1) in the first half during the Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Marquette Golden Eagles

2015-16 record: 20-13 overall, 8-10 in Big East

Head coach: Steve Wojciechowski

Key returning players: Luke Fischer, Haanif Cheatham, Duane Wilson, Jajuan Johnson, Sandy Cohen II, Traci Carter, Sacar Anim, Matt Heldt

Newcomers: Four-star SG Markus Howard, four-star SF Sam Hauser, USC GS G Katin Reinhardt, UNC Asheville transfer G Andrew Rowsey

While it seems like I’m knocking Marquette for picking them to finish 9th, the Big East is wide open from 4-to-10.

The Marquette freshman are one year older and they also possess three key seniors in Luke Fischer, Katin Reinhardt and Jajuan Johnson. But the Golden Eagles still have a number of young core pieces on their roster(six sophomores and two freshman) and they have to make up for the massive loss of Henry Ellenson.

Ellenson, who was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 18th overall pick in the NBA Draft, averaged 17.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Golden Eagles in 2015-16. He was the go-to player on the offensive end and was a tremendous rebounder on both ends of the floor.

That production will be awfully tough to make up, even though they have Fischer back for his final season of college basketball. Fischer is an efficient finisher around the rim, rebounds effectively and blocks shots, but who’s going to help him out in the post?

Marquette is going to have to play a lot of small lineups with Sandy Cohen II or USC transfer Katin Reinhardt at the four. They also will have to rely on Matt Heldt a bit more in the post.

UNC Asheville transfer guard Andrew Rowsey will help upgrade the talent level, but if the Golden Eagles are going to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big East, they need Traci Carter and Haanif Cheatham to have massive breakout seasons.

Cheatham and Carter showed flashes of brilliance in their freshman campaigns. They also made mind-boggling freshman mistakes.

Finally, Johnson and Duane Wilson need to become more consistent from the perimeter. They also need to be leaders for Wojo and company.

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