Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Connor Wilson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 20: Adama Sanogo #21 of the Connecticut Huskies is introduced before a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Arena on January 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 20: Adama Sanogo #21 of the Connecticut Huskies is introduced before a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Arena on January 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Caleb Daniels Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Caleb Daniels Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Villanova Wildcats

Projected Lineup

G: Caleb Daniels (Senior)

G: Bryan Antoine (Senior)

G: Jordan Longino (Soph.)

F: Brandon Slater (5th Yr)

F: Eric Dixon (Junior)

Fresh off of yet another Final Four run, the reigning Big East Champion Villanova Wildcats are going to be in contention yet again for the crown. Despite the sudden retirement of Jay Wright, new head coach Kyle Neptune is coming into a great spot. The Cats are losing Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels, both players who returned last year using their fifth year of eligibility.

To replace them, insert Angelo Brizzi and Cam Whitmore. Brizzi appears to be next up in the long line of dominant Villanova point guards that range from Ryan Arcidiacono to Jalen Brunson to the guy who he watched this past season in Gillespie. Brizzi redshirted last season and is expected to take a major role this year. Whitmore, on the other hand, is a top 20 player in the class of 2022 and is the fifth-highest recruit in Wildcat history according to 247Sports.

He will help replace the workload of not only Samuels but star guard Justin Moore as well. Moore tore his Achilles during the Elite 8 against Houston last season and his status for next season is in question. With this young duo and the returning core of Eric Dixon, Brandon Slater, and Caleb Daniels, the Wildcats are poised to make another run in March.

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