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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
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 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Khadeen Carrington (0) dribbles past Villanova Wildcats guard Ryan Arcidiacono (15) in the championship game of the Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Khadeen Carrington (0) dribbles past Villanova Wildcats guard Ryan Arcidiacono (15) in the championship game of the Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Seton Hall Pirates

2015-16 record: 25-8 overall, 12-6 in Big East, lost in first round of NCAA Tournament

Head coach: Kevin Willard 

Key returning players: Khadeen Carrington, Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado, Ismael Sanogo, Michael Nzei, Veer Singh, Rashed Anthony, Myles Carter

Newcomers: Four-star SG Myles Powell, three-star SG Eron Gordon, Wake Forest GS PG Madison Jones, Kansas State transfer G Jevon Thomas

On the back of Isaiah Whitehead, the Seton Hall Pirates won the Big East Tournament over the eventual National Champion Villanova Wildcats and earned a berth to their first NCAA Tournament since 2006.

With Whitehead departing from school early, the Pirates will have to move forward with junior Khadeen Carrington, who is transitioning to the lead guard spot, Wake Forest transfer Madison Jones and Kansas State transfer Jevon Thomas, who will be eligible in December.

While it will be an adjustment to transition from Whitehead to Carrington, Jones and Thomas, the Pirates still have four returning starters, including the formally mentioned Carrington, Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado and Ismael Sanogo.

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Carrington had a breakout Big East Tournament when he scored 55 points in three games against Creighton, Xavier and Villanova. He was also the team’s second leading scorer and the ‘Robin’ to Whitehead’s ‘Batman.’

Rodriguez drastically improved his jump shot last season, shooting an improved 39 percent from three and 50 percent from the field overall. He was the team’s third leading scorer and was the Pirates’ most potent player during the non-conference portion of the schedule.

The big man, Delgado, averaged nearly a double-double in 2015-16 and should be even better this season. Expecting anything less than 11-to-13 points and 9-to-11 rebounds would be bad news for the Pirates’ front court.

Sanogo will need to improve his offensive game, but defensively, he is stout. He can guard all five positions on the floor, switch in pick-and-roll situations, block shots and use his quick hands to force steals.

Beyond the four returning starters and the other point guards (Jones and Thomas), Seton Hall has solid depth. Michael Nzei, Rashed Anthony, Veer Singh, Myles Powell and Eron Gordon are all expected to receive quality minutes off the pine.