Big East Basketball: Top five players at each position for 2018-19

Guards

Honorable Mentions: RS JR Quincy McKnight (Seton Hall), SR Joe Cremo (Villanova), JR Quentin Goodin (Xavier)

5. RS SR Phil Booth, Villanova

10.0 ppg – 2.9 apg – 3.2 rpg – 44.1% FG – 37.9% 3PT – 80% FT

Since Booth dropped 20 points in one of the all-time college basketball games in the 2016 National Championship as a sophomore, we’ve known he is capable of stardom. However, due to injuries and a roster chock full of talented players, Booth has been somewhat of an afterthought outside of Villanova’s campus. But now that primary perimeter options Brunson, Bridges, and DiVincenzo have all entered the NBA Draft, Booth will be elevated into a leading role. After three seasons and a medical redshirt year, the former four-star guard finally has the opportunity to show off his complete offensive arsenal and prove himself over an entire season.

4. JR Myles Powell, Seton Hall

15.5 ppg – 2.8 apg – 2.6 rpg – 43.3% FG – 37.9% 3PT – 78.9% FT

Powell has been a sweet-shooting playmaker off the ball since 2016, but he will be forced into a bigger ball-handling role with the graduation of several crucial Seton Hall offensive players. He actually has a James Harden-esque shot profile; over 90 percent of his attempts are either at the rim or from beyond the arc, which sets up well for some drive and kick opportunities. With Powell stepping into the limelight and transfers McKnight and Taurean Thompson eligible to play, Seton Hall should be able to withstand its key defections.

3. JR Kamar Baldwin, Butler

15.7 ppg – 3.2 apg – 4.9 rpg – 44.2% FG – 33.1% 3PT – 77.5% FT

Baldwin already ranked among the top 10 Big East players in usage, and that should jump even higher without Martin (fourth in usage rate last year). He will have to shoulder the load this season and will be forced to set up teammates who are more suited for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Baldwin is a relentless attacker, though he is also capable of knocking down the occasional trey, which does just enough to keep the defense honest.

Baldwin – with his 6-foot-6 wingspan – is also able to create plenty of pressure atop Butler’s defense. The rising junior averaged 1.5 steals per game last season.

2. JR Markus Howard, Marquette

20.4 ppg – 2.8 apg – 3.2 rpg – 46.4% FG – 40.4% 3PT – 93.8% FT

At just 5-foot-11 and 175 lbs, Howard is the best pound-for-pound scorer in the conference. Not only is he is a remarkable shooter with an uncanny ability to hit heavily contested jumpers, but he is also a skilled finisher around the rim. Howard shot over 58 percent at the rim last season on three attempts per game.

Howard was able to play mostly off the ball as a freshman and sophomore, and even though Marquette acquired grad transfer Joseph Chartouny, he will need to pick up more ball-handling duties in 2018-19. If he can effectively set up teammates in his minutes as the lead point guard, Marquette will shoot up the Big East standings.

1. JR Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s

21.6 ppg – 4.7 apg – 5.0 rpg – 42% FG – 25.3% 3PT – 85.7% FT

Howard and Ponds both deserve consideration as the top guard in the Big East. Howard is a much better shooter and a more efficient offensive player, while Ponds combines raw scoring skills with the ability to create for others. In the end, Ponds’ superior defense and penchant for steals (finished in the 98th percentile in steal rate last year) pushed him over the edge.

Ponds is a Big East Player of the Year candidate heading into the season, but the Johnnies will need at least some modicum of success for him to actually capture the award. St. John’s is just 30-36 (11-25) over Ponds’ first two years in Queens, though a backcourt of Ponds and Simon is a nice building block for head coach Chris Mullin.