Big East Basketball: Early grades for each teams 2023 offseason moves

Throughout the 2022-23 season, the Big 12 got all of the attention as the top conference in college hoops. But a good case can be made that at least with the top tier, Big East Basketball reigned supreme. Five teams made the NCAA Tournament, with three making at least the Sweet 16.

In the end, it was the UConn Huskies that ended up being the last team standing, winning the 2023 national championship. So if I had to give them a great for the on-the-court product, it would be an A+ for the Huskies and an “A” for the Big East overall.

But now it’s the offseason and we’re a month into it, as all 11 programs have already faced some changes in one way or another. The question is which programs have gotten better and how still have plenty of work to do.

Going in order from the regular-season standings of this past season, here’s how I would currently grade each program’s work.

11. Georgetown Hoyas – Grade: C+

As painful as the move had to be for the program, they had to part ways with head coach Patrick Ewing. And the hire of Providence HC Ed Cooley is considered to be a top-5 hire of the entire coaching carousel. The problem that I have is that’s been the highlight of the offseason for them, as the pickups have been a bit underwhelming.

Illinois transfer Jayden Epps could be a lead guard for the future, while former top-100 prospects, Dontrez Styles and Roman Brumbaugh, could have big years. Kansas State transfer Ismael Massoud is a solid pickup but outside of Jay Heath, there isn’t an All-Big East caliber performer outside of him right now.

The hire alone of Cooley gives Georgetown a bright future long-term. But in the short term, this current roster doesn’t look like it’ll make a big leap up the standings quickly.