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Big East Basketball: 10 biggest storylines and questions for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

CINCINNATI, OHIO - FEBRUARY 16: Posh Alexander #0 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball in the first half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center on February 16, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - FEBRUARY 16: Posh Alexander #0 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles the ball in the first half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center on February 16, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Providence Friars (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Providence Friars (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

7. Providence looks to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke

Easily the biggest surprise in Big East Basketball last season, Providence won the regular season after being picked to finish in the bottom half in the preseason. The veteran core, combined with great impact from transfer Aljami Durham, who led them in scoring, played great and even if there was some luck involved, still made the Sweet 16.

Most of that production has moved on, with point guard Jared Bynum as one of the lone returning players. The Friars did do a ton of work in the transfer portal, landing five players set to be part of the rotation. In the backcourt is a pair of sophomores in Corey Floyd Jr. (UConn) and Devin Carter (South Carolina), along with 5th-year shooting guard, Noah Locke from Louisville.

In the frontcourt to replace both Nate Watson and Noah Horchler are Clifton Moore (La Salle) and Bryce Hopkins (Kentucky). If it’s not a big downgrade, the team should be fine this season. And both Hopkins and Carter are sophomore candidates to watch out for as well.

Providence has a little more respect this season in preseason polls, picked in the 4-7 range. How all of these newcomers fit will determine the floor this year but the NCAA Tournament should be a reasonable goal once again.

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