2024-25 Big East Basketball Preview
Conference Overview & Analysis
Join us for our Big East Basketball Preview as we break down the upcoming season for one of college basketball’s most thrilling conferences. Last season, UConn steamrolled the field, claiming the Big East Championship and marching all the way to a second straight March Madness title. This year, the biggest question is whether UConn can push for a historic three-peat or if other Big East teams will rise to the challenge.
UConn faced a dramatic offseason, but they emerged strong with Alex Karaban returning for another year, despite losing all four of his fellow starters to the NBA Draft. More notably, Huskies head coach Dan Hurley turned down an offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to stay in Connecticut. Although UConn is again favored to win the Big East, they face the challenge of replacing a ton of last season’s scoring. However, with Karaban and standout freshman Liam McNeeley, UConn retains a projected edge over the rest of the conference.
Creighton is positioned as a close second to UConn. They bring back Ryan Kalkbrenner, a top contender for Player of the Year, alongside their returning point guard and impact transfer Pop Isaacs. With these key players, Creighton is set to compete for a ranking within the top 10 nationally.
Marquette and Xavier also enter the season strong, each bringing a unique team composition that should keep them competitive. Marquette’s projected starting lineup consists entirely of returning players, which should strengthen team chemistry; they also have a Player of the Year candidate in Kam Jones. Xavier returns several key players and has added three high-scoring mid-major transfers, giving their offense dangerous potential.
St. John’s was boosted by their acquisition of elite transfer Kadary Richmond, an all-around player with Big East experience. Just below the top tier, Villanova, in a similar fashion, will rely on Eric Dixon, a standout player expected to be among the conference’s best again this season.
Providence and Butler are likely to fall around the middle of the standings, with Providence awaiting the return of star Bryce Hopkins, whose presence was essential to the Friars last season. Butler returns two high-level scorers and will need contributions from other returnees who are stepping into expanded roles.
Georgetown and Seton Hall are blending returning players with new transfers, hoping to defy expectations despite lacking the star power of top-tier teams. After a disappointing season last year, DePaul has a new coach and an entirely revamped roster looking to avoid the basement of the Big East. The roster has encouraging signs and looks to be a vast improvement over last season’s team.
The 2024-25 Big East Basketball Preview highlights an exceptional group of five teams poised for deep March Madness runs. Additionally, there is improved depth throughout the conference, making nearly every Big East game this season crucial and must-watch television.
Big East Basketball Preview: Projected Standings
- UConn
- Creighton
- Marquette
- Xavier
- St. John’s
- Villanova
- Providence
- Butler
- Georgetown
- Seton Hall
- DePaul
Big East Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners
Player of the Year: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Defensive Player of the Year: Kadary Richmond, St. John’s
Newcomer of the Year: Pop Isaacs, Creighton
Freshman of the Year: Liam McNeeley, UConn
Coach of the Year: Dan Hurley, UConn
Big East Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team
Kadary Richmond, St. John’s
Kam Jones, Marquette
Alex Karaban, UConn
Eric Dixon, Villanova
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Butler Bulldogs
Projected Starters:
PG: Kolby King (10.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Tulane)
SG: Finley Bizjack (4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.9 apg)
SF: Pierre Brooks II (14.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.1 apg)
PF: Jahmyl Telfort (13.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.0 apg)
C: Andre Screen (5.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.4 apg)
6M: Patrick McCaffery (8.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Iowa)
UConn Huskies
Projected Starters:
PG: Hassan Diarra (6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg)
SG: Aidan Mahaney (13.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.6 apg @ Saint Mary’s)
SF: Liam McNeeley (FR)
PF: Alex Karaban (13.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 apg)
C: Samson Johnson (5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.5 apg)
6M: Solo Ball (3.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.3 apg)
Creighton Bluejays
Projected Starters:
PG: Steven Ashworth (11.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.2 apg)
SG: Pop Isaacs (15.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg @ Texas Tech)
SF: Jamiya Neal (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Arizona State)
PF: Mason Miller (5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.4 apg)
C: Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)
6M: Fedor Žugić (FR)
DePaul Blue Demons
Projected Starters:
PG: Conor Enright (6.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.2 apg @ Drake)
SG: Layden Blocker (3.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Arkansas)
SF: Isaiah Rivera (15.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.8 apg @ UIC)
PF: JJ Traynor (10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.1 apg @ Louisville)
C: David Skogman (13.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Davidson)
6M: David Thomas (11.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg @ Mercer)
Georgetown Hoyas
Projected Starters:
PG: Malik Mack (17.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.8 apg @ Harvard)
SG: Jayden Epps (18.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.2 apg)
SF: Micah Peavy (10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.6 apg @ TCU)
PF: Drew Fielder (5.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg)
C: Thomas Sorber (FR)
6M: Jordan Burks (1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Kentucky)
Marquette Golden Eagles
Projected Starters:
PG: Kam Jones (17.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg)
SG: Stevie Mitchell (8.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.8 apg)
SF: Chase Ross (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg)
PF: David Joplin (10.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.6 apg)
C: Ben Gold (5.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.6 apg)
6M: Sean Jones (5.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
Providence Friars
Projected Starters:
PG: Jayden Pierre (9.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.2 apg)
SG: Bensley Joseph (9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.4 apg @ Miami)
SF: Bryce Hopkins* (15.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.4 apg) Injured- Return TBD
PF: Jabri Abdur-Rahim (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Georgia)
C: Christ Essandoko (8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Saint Joseph’s)
6M: Wesley Cardet, Jr. (18.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg @ Chicago State)
St. John’s Red Storm
Projected Starters:
PG: Deivon Smith (13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 7.1 apg @ Utah)
SG: Simeon Wilcher (2.8 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.1 apg)
SF: Kadary Richmond (15.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.1 apg @ Seton Hall)
PF: Aaron Scott (11.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg @ North Texas)
C: Zuby Ejiofor (4.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.7 apg)
6M: RJ Luis, Jr. (10.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.0 apg)
Seton Hall Pirates
Projected Starters:
PG: Garwey Dual (3.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Providence)
SG: Chaunce Jenkings (15.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg @ Old Dominion)
SF: Dylan Addae-Wusu (8.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)
PF: Scotty Middleton (4.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.7 apg @ Ohio State)
C: Yacine Toumi (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Evansville)
6M: Isaiah Coleman (5.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg)
Villanova Wildcats
Projected Starters:
PG: Jhamir Brickus (13.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg @ La Salle)
SG: Tyler Perkins (13.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Penn)
SF: Wooga Poplar (13.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.1 apg @ Miami)
PF: Eric Dixon (16.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.7 apg)
C: Enoch Boakye (7.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Fresno State)
6M: Jordan Longino (6.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Xavier Musketeers
Projected Starters:
PG: Dayvion McKnight (12.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.8 apg)
SG: Dante Maddox, Jr. (15.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.8 apg @ Toledo)
SF: Ryan Conwell (16.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg @ Indiana State)
PF: Zach Freemantle (15.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.9 apg)
C: John Hugley IV (8.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Oklahoma)
6M: Marcus Foster (17.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Furman)
Coming Next
Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Big East Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Big Sky Conference. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!
- America East Conference Preview
- American Athletic Conference Preview
- ACC Conference Preview
- ASUN Conference Preview
- A10 Conference Preview
Cover Image: Photo Credit: Big East Conference
