Big East basketball: Way-too-early power rankings

Creighton

After falling apart down the home stretch last year, I think a lot of people will be down on Creighton — and they would be wrong to feel that way.

The Jays return Marcus Foster, who was second in the league in scoring a year ago. Also back is Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year Khyri Thomas, who is no slouch on the offensive end. He scored more than 12 points per game.

Additionally, Syracuse transfer Kaleb Joseph will take the reigns as the starting point guard and freshman Mitchell Blalock is a talented wing the Jays were able to get signed, beating out the Jayhawks on the recruiting trail.

This is a Creighton lineup that can without a doubt score, now it’s just a matter of if Greg McDermott’s team can defend.

Providence

There’s been a lot of guys whose names are worth knowing in this conference. Here’s another one: Rodney Bullock.

As a sophomore, Bullock averaged more than 15 points and six rebounds, making him one of the many underappreciated players in the conference.

In addition to Bullock, the Friars return Emmitt Holt, Kyron Cartwright, and Jalen Lindsey. Their top four scorers from a season ago, all of them averaged double figures. However, Providence needs these guys to make a jump as they only averaged 70.3 as a team last year.

This is a good Friars team. An early November game against Minnesota should be a good measuring stick of just how good.