Big East Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and predictions

Key Players

Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton (15.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 44.2 FG%, 39.5 3FG%)

Losing Ty-Shon Alexander to the NBA Draft earlier than expected last offseason further emphasized Zegarowski was going to need to contribute even more than he did in 2019-20. Creighton’s starting point guard has taken longer than usual to heat up this season, but it seems Zegarowski has begun to heat up over the last five games. Surpassing the 25-point mark twice during that stretch, he is averaging 19.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 4.6 APG while shooting 52.2% from the field and 38.9% from the perimeter.

James Bouknight, UConn (20.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 47.2 FG%, 33.9 3FG%)

Bouknight is literally everything to the Huskies. His injury issues this season have defined the success or failures of the UConn program. When he’s on the court Connecticut is 10-2 but just 4-4 when he’s not. Bouknight’s numbers are already strong, but he has only turned in a single performance under 16 points all season: 6 in a win versus Marquette. This star of the Big East has the talent and poise to drive his team to great heights this season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, Seton Hall (17.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 45.0 FG%)

‘Mamu’ has taken the reigns of the Seton Hall program and has not looked back. Improving statistically every season he has been on campus, Mamukelashvili is the key to Seton Hall putting the pieces together and winning games deep in the conference tournament. The Pirates have struggled to find success recently, losing their last 4 in a row, the versatile and fluid frontcourt star must return to double-double production for this team to regain its winning ways.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova (15.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 48.3 FG%)

Without Gillespie and potentially Justin Moore for an extended period, the productive burden falls swiftly on the shoulders of sophomore big man Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. His versatile offensive skillset fits in naturally with the strengths of the rest of the team, but it’s his defensive capabilities that need to shine even more for Villanova to cut down the nets.

The Wildcats have received question marks defending the paint, so the burden, unfortunately, increases two-fold for the second-year NBA prospect. If his last several games are any indication of his potential to do so, averaging 13.7 PPG and 14.3 RPG, Villanova has a chance to reach the final even with the injuries they’ve suffered.

Posh Alexander, St. John’s (11. PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.6 SPG, 46.1 FG%)

St. John’s star is undoubtedly Julian Champagnie, but this team has been surging thanks to its young point guard Posh Alexander. The Brooklyn native is an intense defender and will suffocate ball-handlers all over the court. His health and return to the court are paramount to the Red Storm continuing to find success late in the season, especially against talented guards expected to reach the later rounds. Alexander’s playing style also helps to drastically increase the spacing for shooters on around the court, so his full skillset is needed dearly.