Big East Basketball: Evaluating early season tournaments for 2018-19
By Brian Foley
Seton Hall: Wooden Legacy
Field: Miami, Utah, Northwestern, Fresno State, LaSalle, Hawai’i, Grand Canyon
Top teams Seton Hall and Miami have plenty of talent remaining on their respective rosters, but will likely use the first portion of the season to work out kinks following the departures of key veterans. Northwestern is another Wooden Legacy contender with Vic Law and Ryan Taylor stepping up to fill the shoes of the since-graduated Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh. Fresno State and Grand Canyon are also credible mid-major threats capable of stealing a game or two. Don’t worry too much if the Pirates stumble in this event; Seton Hall is replacing nearly 62 percent of its minutes from last year, and shouldn’t be judged too harshly until conference play gets going.
St. John’s: Legends Classic
Field: California, Temple, VCU
These four teams all have respectable basketball histories, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see all four miss the tournament come March. The Johnnies have the most optimistic future of the bunch with Big East Player of the Year candidate Shamorie Ponds and backcourt mate Justin Simon, as well as Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron, should the NCAA approve his hardship waiver. St. John’s could be one of the biggest movers in the Big East this season, but the Red Storm should not be locked into the top half of the Big East just. Winning two games in Brooklyn would be a big step forward for Chris Mullin’s team.