Big East preview: Conference comes back to pack

The Big East will take a hit this year.

Then again, how could it not?

2009-10 preview

After the league was as dominant as ever a year ago, the Big East lost plenty of its star power and should take a significant step down this season.

Gone are guys like Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price from UConn. Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf have left Syracuse and so has the Pittsburgh trio of DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Levance Fields. Providence has completely turned over, and Marquette graduated its guard trio of Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews and Dominic James. Louisville's best player, Terrence Williams, is also history.

There are still quality teams. Villanova, West Virginia, UConn, Louisville and Georgetown are legitimate Sweet 16 contenders, but it'll be interesting to see what other programs step up.

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Predicted finish

1. West Virginia

2. Villanova

3. UConn

4. Georgetown

5. Louisville

6. Syracuse

7. Cincinnati

8. Notre Dame

9. Pittsburgh

10. Seton Hall

11. St. John's

12. Marquette

13. Rutgers

14. South Florida

15. Providence

16. DePaul

All-Conference team

Small forward: Devin Ebanks, 6-7, 210, Soph., West Virginia

2008-09 Stats: 10.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg

Power forward: Greg Monroe, 6-11, 245, Soph., Georgetown

2008-09 Stats: 12.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.5 bpg

Center: Luke Harangody, 6-8, 240, Sr., Notre Dame

2008-09 Stats: 23.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg

Point guard: Kemba Walker, 6-1, 175, Soph., UConn

2008-09 Stats: 8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.9 apg

Shooting guard: Scottie Reynolds, 6-2, 190, Sr., Villanova

2008-09 Stats: 15.2 ppg, 3.4 apg