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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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Ryan Nembhard Creighton Bluejays (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. All of the pressure and expectations on Creighton

After losing its entire starting lineup from the team that made the Sweet for the first time in decades, Creighton wasn’t even expected to make the NCAA Tournament. But the highest-ranked class of freshmen in program history, combined with a breakout season from center Ryan Kalkbrenner, allowed them to exceed expectations.

Now, the Bluejays aren’t flying under the radar. They’re the consensus preseason Big East Basketball favorite, as well as getting ranked in the top 10 of the AP preseason poll. It’s on the strength of Kalkbrenner’s return, along with the trio of sophomores (Ryan Nembhard, Arthur Kaluma, and Trey Alexander) all being viewed as legit breakout candidates. Plus, the team added South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman, who averaged over 16 ppg and shot 47% from three-point range en route to winning Summit League Player of the Year. He slides in perfectly on the wings and gives Creighton much-needed perimeter shooting.

This roster may be the most talented that head coach Greg McDermott has ever had with the Bluejays. But with three of the projected starters all being true sophomores, they may be a year too early to be a true Final Four contender. But after overachieving last season, it’s hard to see how they won’t at least be ranked in the top 20 throughout 2022-23. But if they don’t win the regular-season title, it’ll be considered a missed opportunity.

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