Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big East Basketball: Ranking the current status of every old Big East team

By Brian Foley

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Moyer #2 of the Syracuse Orange takes a shot against Jalen Adams #4 of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Moyer #2 of the Syracuse Orange takes a shot against Jalen Adams #4 of the Connecticut Huskies in the first half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Brandon Cyrus #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons reacts after losing to the Xavier Musketeers on March 3, 2018 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Xavier won 65-62. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Brandon Cyrus #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons reacts after losing to the Xavier Musketeers on March 3, 2018 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Xavier won 65-62. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

16. South Florida

American: 46-113 (14-76), 0 NCAA appearances

15. Rutgers

American/Big Ten: 59-105 (14-76), 0 NCAA appearances

14. DePaul

Big East: 53-106 (18-72), 0 NCAA appearances

Yikes. The dregs of the old Big East have now been dispersed around the country to other conferences, where they have remained consistent cellar dwellers.

DePaul was a tough watch last season, as they finished 183rd in adjusted offense. At the very least they were slightly more competitive than usual behind a respectable defense, and while the Blue Demons new arena is not the most spectacular building in the world, it at least is an upgrade on the old Allstate Arena. I’m not betting on any of these teams, but over the next two or three seasons, I think DePaul has the best chance to at least move up a few spots in its respective conference.

The Big Ten compiled one of its worst seasons as a conference in years in 2017-18, and Rutgers still finished in dead last. That is all I have to say on the matter. We’ll see if the Scarlet Knights can improve in Steve Pikiell’s third season, which will include a top-50 recruiting class.

Fortunately, both DePaul and Rutgers have South Florida to look down upon. Brian Gregory is entering his second season with the Bulls, but he is somehow the school’s fourth basketball coach since USF joined the American. In 2011-12, USF finished 12-6 in the old Big East and won an NCAA tournament game; five years into the American experience and the Bulls have collapsed and finished in last place four times (they finished one game above last in 2015-16).

South Florida is stuck in the cellar in an inferior conference. While DePaul and Rutgers can at least look up at a host of tourney teams, USF is looking up at the likes of Tulane and East Carolina. Not much to be inspired about here.

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