Big East Basketball: Creating the conference's All-NBA bracket

Big East Basketball: Creating the conference’s All-NBA bracket for 2018

By Brian Foley | Jul 30, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz dribbles around Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards in the second half at Verizon Center on February 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY – MARCH 27: Gordon Hayward #20 and Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrate after Hayward hit a three point shot against the Kansas State Wildcats during the west regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Energy Solutions Arena on March 27, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinals

Now we have reached the quarterfinals, where the teams loaded with NBA talent enter the fold.

1. Marquette vs. 9. DePaul

MU: Buycks, Wade, Matthews, Butler, Ellenson

DPU: Garrett Jr., Young, Chandler, Henry, Koshwal

Marquette and DePaul squared off in the Big East tournament this past March, and while the Blue Demons managed to make that contest close, this one should be a blowout from the start. Butler is currently the best former Big Easter, and he is surrounded by four other NBA players, including one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. Chandler and Friends only have so much firepower.

4. Georgetown vs. 5. Butler

GU: Peak, Porter, Green, Derrickson, Monroe

BU: Mack, Savage, Hayward, Martin, Jones

Just like last year’s real-life college squad, Georgetown doesn’t have enough guard play. With three legitimate NBA frontcourt options – including current Washington Wizards Porter and Green – the Hoyas will have to overwhelm the Bulldogs with their size. I’m betting on a healthy Hayward, as well as coach Brad Stevens, to find a way into the semifinals.

1. Marquette vs. 5. Butler

2. Villanova vs. 7. Providence

VU: Lowry, Hart, Bridges, Cunningham, Spellman

PC: Dunn, Brooks, Cotton, Ledo, Henton

After four Wildcats were drafted in the first 33 picks during June’s draft, there were plenty of options to choose from to fill out this starting lineup. In the end, I surrounded Lowry, a four-time All-Star, with as many wing threats as possible. In this hypothetical matchup, Dunn would need to post the game of his life to compete with Villanova’s depth; unfortunately, in his final year at Providence, he averaged just 11 points and five turnovers on 30 percent shooting in three contests against the Wildcats.

3. Creighton vs. 6. Xavier

CU: Thomas, Korver, McDermott, Tolliver, Patton

XU: Sumner, Crawford, Macura, Bluiett, West

Creighton has exactly five players in the NBA right now, and they actually fit together pretty nicely. Thomas is a lockdown defender at the top, Korver, McDermott, and Tolliver can space the floor, and Patton has the potential to work as a talented rim-runner. The Musketeers have several intriguing pieces, including West, a two-time All-Star on the back-end of his career, and Bluiett, a newly-minted two-way player for New Orleans. Ultimately, Creighton’s depth proves to be too much for Xavier.

2. Villanova vs. 3. Creighton

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