Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: 2019-20 preseason power rankings

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 12: DePaul cheerleaders perform. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 12: DePaul cheerleaders perform. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

9. DePaul Blue Demons

DePaul took significant steps in the right direction last season but still finished in a tie for last place. Then the Blue Demons had to wave goodbye to their three leading scorers in Max Strus, Femi Olujobi, and Eli Cain due to graduation. Still, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this coming season as the program could take yet another step forward. This is largely thanks to the presence of arguably the conference’s most dangerous frontcourt duo.

Returning forward Paul Reed looks poised to be a dominant force in the Big East this season. The rising junior averaged 12.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game a year ago and will be DePaul’s star in this campaign. He is an absolute monster on the glass and is garnering plenty of attention from NBA scouts for his skills. Reed will be paired with highly-touted recruit Romeo Weems (No. 62 overall) in the frontcourt to form a dynamic duo.

Weems is an exciting all-around prospect in the frontcourt that can really fill up the stat sheet. Watch out for him to be one of the most impactful newcomers to the conference this year. Additionally, the program is also adding Markese Jacobs as a well-regarded freshman. Jacobs was ranked at No. 159 prospect in the 2019 class and should fill an immediate role in the backcourt as a starter or reserve.

As far as veterans go, the program will turn to upperclassmen Devin Gage and Jaylen Butz as starters at their respective positions. They both put together solid, albeit not spectacular, campaigns a year ago.

DePaul has talent this year…but they are still DePaul. The Blue Demons are yet to prove that they are capable of moving up the Big East rankings considering they have finished in the bottom third of the league in each of the past 12 seasons. While there is talent, it is also impossible to ignore their losses this offseason. Strus, in particular, was a stud for the team and will be missed.

Examining the past to determine the future is not always the right strategy, but it is hard to foresee the Blue Demons leaping up the Big East rankings and competing for an NCAA Tournament bid. At least not this season. Another incremental step in the right direction would be a positive, though.

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