2010-11 Outlook: Big East

Projected Order of Finish

1. Pittsburgh - Gritty, veteran squad needs contribution from 6-9 sophomore and former McDonald's All-American Dante Taylor if the Panthers hope to contend for a national title.

2. Syracuse - Jim Boeheim's squad has a ton of potential but also has to replace a lot of production.

3. Villanova - As usual Jay Wright's squad is extremely talented on the perimeter with questions in the paint.

4. West Virginia - Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks are gone from last year's Final Four team, but count on Bob Huggins to put a hard-nosed team on the floor that will defend and hit the boards.

5. Georgetown - It's time for seniors Austin Freeman and Chris Wright to live up to their advance billing.

6. Louisville - The Cards will apply pressure on defense and get up and down the floor, but who will generate offense in the halfcourt?

7. Connecticut - Kemba Walker is the headliner for a program that appears to be slipping.

8. Notre Dame - The Fighting Irish will miss point guard Tory Jackson as much as they will miss Luke Harangody.

9. Seton Hall - Plenty of talent and experience, but that's hasn't translated to tourney appearances for the Pirates in recent years.

10. Marquette - A return trip to the NCAA Tourney will be a tall order for the Golden Eagles, as Buzz Williams struggles to find a way to replace Lazar Hayward.

11. Saint John's - The cupboard isn't bare, but Steve Lavin has his work cut out for him as he returns to the college coaching ranks under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

12. Cincinnati - While the departures of Lance Stephenson and Deonta Vaughn will hurt the Bearcats on the offensive end, Yancy Gates leads a talented, though unproven, squad with the potential to make waves in the Big East.

13. Providence - Marshon Brooks returns on the perimeter, but who will replace double-double machine Jamine Peterson?

14. South Florida - Here's guessing the going will be tough for the Bulls in the post-Dominique Jones era.

15. Rutgers - Things were looking up for the Scarlet Knights not so long ago, but that was before Hamady Ndiaye graduated and Mike Rosario and Gregory Echenique decided to transfer.

16. DePaul - What was Oliver Purnell thinking?

All-Conference

Corey Fisher, Villanova, sr, guard
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, jr, guard
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, sr, guard
Kris Joseph, Syracuse, jr, forward
Kevin Jones, West Virginia, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Corey Fisher, Villanova - Fisher allegedly scored 105 points in a summer league game at Watson Gleason Playground in the Bronx during the offseason.

Top Freshman

Vander Blue, Marquette - Syracuse's Fab Melo is going to take time to adjust to the college game, and this big point guard will have plenty of opportunities to get involved on a Marquette squad in need of scoring.

Top Defender

Gilbert Brown, Pittsburgh - Super-athletic wing began to embrace his role as a defensive stopper last season.