NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 Big East vs Big 12 matchups for 2021-22 season
6. UConn Huskies at West Virginia Mountaineers
The schedule makers knew exactly what they were doing with this one, as UConn enters the challenge facing off against former Big East “rival” West Virginia. Future Hall of Fame Head Coach Bob Huggins is still around and will have a new-look roster, after Derek Culver and (likely) Miles McBride depart. Frontcourt transfers Pauly Paulicap and Dimon Carrigan will look to have an impact, while double-digit scoring guard Taz Sherman has decided to return for an extra year.
The Huskies won’t have their star back either, as James Bouknight entered the NBA Draft. They do bring back a good amount of talent beyond him, as Tyrese Martin, Adama Sanogo, and RJ Cole will be back, along with top-50 freshman Rahsool Diggins. If Akok Akok can be healthy and have a breakout campaign then UConn could be top-25 caliber next season.
The Big East connection storyline will automatically make this game interesting but unless the Mountaineers can find some offense on the current roster, the Huskies will have a definite edge, even on the road.
Prediction: UConn
5. Butler Bulldogs at Oklahoma Sooners
Despite dealing with a ton of injuries last season, Butler still finished with a respectable 8-12 record in league play. And thanks to a few seniors opting to return for another year, the Bulldogs will return over 90% of their production, and hopefully, be much healthier for 2021-22.
The Sooners aren’t returning as much production outside of guards Elijah Harkless and Umoja Gibson but they did do well in the transfer portal, landing Big Sky Player of the Year big man Tanner Groves, Duke point guard Jordan Goldwire and Eastern Illinois guard Marvin Johnson.
Both teams are projected to be in the bubble range so this game, despite lacking in starpower on the court, will have an impact on both team’s seasons. The cohesion Butler already has versus the Sooners having to connect the new transfer pieces should give them an edge, although homecourt may even things out. This should ultimately end up being a close and hard-fought game.