Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Each team’s best acquisition out of 2023 transfer portal

By Jerran Anderson

Jan 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jayden Epps (3) calls out a play during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Jayden Epps (3) calls out a play during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East basketball welcomes another wave of new faces out of the transfer portal as we take a look at key portal acquisitions. The UConn Huskies brought home conference glory this past season in winning an NCAA Championship, being led by Bryce Hawkins. But let’s not forget, Tristen Newton returns after joining their squad out of the transfer portal last season from East Carolina.

Newton returns this season looking to lead a new face to the conference, though, he’s familiar to a lot of Big Ten fans, especially ones that cheered on Rutgers.

The Marquette Golden Eagles join the Oregon State Beavers, Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans as the only teams that didn’t use the transfer portal this offseason cycle. It’s worth noting, the Golden Eagles return last year’s Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek, who’s due for an encore performance in the backcourt. He’ll have his work cut off for him with the loss of Olivier-Maxence Prosper, though.

There’s a lot to be said for second impressions, well at least second-year performance expectations from head coaches. Sean Miller (Xavier), Thad Matta (Butler), Kyle Neptune (Villanova Wildcats) and Shaheen Holloway (Seton Hall Pirates) are all entering their second season at the helm. Xavier made the NCAA Tournament but things didn’t go so well for the other three.

Things will look a lot differently for their programs in Year 2 as they look to reload and then some with the transfer portal. Toss into the mix the movement of Ed Cooley to the Georgetown Hoyas, where a change of scenery will likely give way to a different recruiting approach, things are certainly getting interesting in the conference.

The transfer portal continues to bring good things to those who find the right fit. Take a look at the best portal acquisition for each Big East squad.

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