Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Evaluating early season tournaments for 2018-19

By Brian Foley

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 22: Fans pack the Lahaina Civic Center to watch the Maui Invitational NCAA college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 22, 2016 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 22: Fans pack the Lahaina Civic Center to watch the Maui Invitational NCAA college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 22, 2016 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 10: Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats bats a pass to a teammate against J.P. Macura #55 of the Xavier Musketeers during the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova won 89-65. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 10: Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats bats a pass to a teammate against J.P. Macura #55 of the Xavier Musketeers during the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova won 89-65. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Villanova: AdvoCare Invitational

Field: LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma State, Memphis, College of Charleston, Canisius, UAB

Despite losing four key contributors from last year’s championship roster, Villanova will still enter the 2018-19 season as one of college basketball’s upper-echelon squads thanks to a talented freshmen class and Jay Wright’s superb offensive system.

This tournament has several intriguing teams: LSU with Will Wade’s top-three recruiting class, Memphis under new head coach Penny Hardaway, and Florida State fresh off an Elite Eight run. The Wildcats will be tested early with their loaded non-conference slate, including a title game rematch with Michigan.

Xavier: Maui Invitational

Field: Duke, Gonzaga, Arizona, Auburn, Iowa State, San Diego State, Illinois

Woah. Xavier – which is competing with St. John’s for the title of Transfer U under first-year head coach Travis Steele – will be diving into the belly of the beast early in the year. Duke and Gonzaga are two immediate title contenders. Auburn is another top-15 team.

Next: Updated Preseason Bracketology

Prognosticators expect a bit of a down season for Arizona, but doubt Sean Miller at your own peril. Iowa State is in for a bounce-back campaign, and San Diego State will feature one of the most balanced offensive units in the country. The Maui field this November could send seven teams to the NCAA tournament, so even a 1-2 showing for the Musketeers would be a successful trip, should they avoid Illinois.

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