Marquette and Georgetown finally finding footing in new Big East

Big East Basketball has thrived without much help from Marquette and Georgetown. Will that change in the 2018-19 campaign?

When the Big East moved to re-brand the conference around the ‘Catholic 7’ beginning in 2013-14, Marquette and Georgetown were two of the obvious centerpieces.

Since Marquette joined the Big East in 2005-06, the Golden Eagles and Hoyas consistently fielded two of the conference’s best teams through 2012-13. Marquette qualified for the NCAA Tournament in all eight years, advancing to the Sweet 16 twice (2011, 2012) and the Elite Eight once (2013). Georgetown was also a March staple, earning seven bids in those eight seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2006 and a Final Four in 2007.

Both programs also managed to worm their way into the AP Top 10 with regularity; MU was ranked as high as eighth (three times), and GU was ranked as high as fifth (twice). MU and GU, along with Louisville, even shared the final regular season “old” Big East crown in 2012-13.

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So once the new Big East opted to start anew, Marquette and Georgetown were supposed to carry the torch, at least initially. Marquette was the preseason favorite with five first-place votes in the media poll, with Georgetown right behind with two first-place votes (rather hilariously, Villanova received zero first-place votes).

But that 2013-14 season did not play out as expected, and MU and GU slipped to sixth and seventh in the Big East respectively. In the five years since the conference shift, Marquette is 90-74 overall (40-50 Big East) with just one NCAA Tournament appearance. Georgetown, 84-77 (37-53 Big East), has suffered through lower lows, though the Hoyas did win a game as a 4-seed in 2015 in their lone tourney appearance.

Including coaching changes and player transfers, both programs are working through their toughest periods in the last decade-and-a-half. The Big East has managed to thrive with Villanova’s dominance, the support of the new additions Butler, Creighton, and Xavier, and the emergence of Providence and Seton Hall, two former also-rans in the old Big East. But with the conference entering another period of flux in 2018-19, the Big East could use a surge from its former top dogs. Luckily, the time may be exactly right for both the Golden Eagles and the Hoyas.

Even with a couple moving pieces still up in the air for next season, Villanova is the clear favorite for 2018-19. But behind the Wildcats, the conference is as open as its been since its first year. Marquette could be the team to step into that contending void.

Depending on a few NBA Draft decisions, it is entirely possible MU could have the Big East’s top two returning players in rising juniors Markus Howard and Sam Hauser. Howard has already proven himself to be one of the most dynamic scorers in the nation, and Hauser’s ability to meld into any situation makes him the perfect second banana. And on paper, head coach Steve Wojciechowski has done an excellent job surrounding those two with high-quality role players with varying skill sets. If the defense can get situated – and that’s a big if – Marquette will have a beastly squad for the next two years.

In D.C., things are a little less certain for this upcoming season, but Patrick Ewing has rebuilt the program more quickly than anyone could have hoped. Georgetown wings Jamorko Pickett and Jahvon Blair were both named to the Big East all-freshman team last year and have the building blocks to be high-level players in the conference sooner rather than later. Center Jessie Govan is still testing NBA Draft waters, but should he return, the Hoyas will have a consistent threat drawing double teams down low.

Losing forward Marcus Derrickson to the NBA hurts, but Georgetown at least has a nice recruiting class coming to campus this season with two-four star players and two three-star players. Two such commits – four-star James Akinjo and three-star Mac McClung – should help solidify the Hoyas’ point guard position, which was a point of weakness last year.

In 2017-18, Georgetown was forced to learn on the fly as Ewing got situated on the sideline and new players acclimated to bigger roles. This year, even with four freshmen joining the roster, the team should have an air of experience that it lacked last season. Georgetown is already loaded with athletes who play with quick-twitch athleticism; a little extra discipline and vet savvy could make the difference going forward.

Next: Providence excelling in the new Big East

Marquette is a step ahead of Georgetown right now, but Wojo has been on the job longer than Ewing. If the Golden Eagles live up to their lofty expectations this season, and the Hoyas continue to move ahead in their rebuild, Big East fans could finally be seeing the conference they expected way back in 2013-14.

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Big East Basketball: Marquette and Georgetown finally finding footing in new Big East

By Brian Foley | May 10, 2018

Big East Basketball has thrived without much help from Marquette and Georgetown. Will that change in the 2018-19 campaign?

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