The offseason evaluation of Big East basketball teams will continue. So far, we have taken a look at nine teams. Five of the nine teams already evaluated have been deemed contenders. Connecticut, Creighton, Marquette, Providence, and St. Johns are the five contenders. While Butler, DePaul, Georgetown, and Seton Hall are in the pretenders’ bucket.
Anticipation continues to build as the NCAA basketball season draws closer. For the final installment of our Big East evaluation, we have Villanova University and Xavier University. These teams are both looking to bounce back after last season’s shortcomings. Have their offseason moves increased their respective likelihood of contention? Find out below. This is Big East contenders vs. pretenders.
Way Too Early Big East Contenders Vs. Pretenders (Part 4)
Villanova University
Head Coach: Kyle Neptune
Incoming Freshmen: Josiah Moseley – F (4-star recruit), Matthew Hodge – F (4-star recruit), Malcolm Thomas – C (3-star recruit)
Incoming Transfers (In): Wooga Poplar – CG, Tyler Perkins – CG
Incoming Transfers (Out): TJ Bamba – SG, Brendan Hausen – SG
High-Level Outlook: As Kyle Neptune enters his third year at the helm of Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball, expectations are mounting for him to demonstrate tangible success. However, it’s still too early to put him on the hot seat. This phase echoes the early tenure of his predecessor, Jay Wright, who also needed a few seasons to fully establish his program. Given this historical context, it’s premature to hit the panic button. Notably, Neptune is tasked with guiding a transitioning team through a critical period, much like Wright did, setting the stage for long-term achievements.
Villanova welcomes back Eric Dixon for his final year, solidifying his status as a perennial All-Big East player and a cornerstone for the team. Offseason acquisitions Poplar and Perkins are poised to strengthen the backcourt, addressing the void left by departing players. Additionally, the Wildcats have injected fresh talent with three freshmen—Moseley, Hodge, and Thomas—who may get significant playing time due to the team’s current lack of depth. While Villanova is not yet back to its dominant form of previous seasons, Neptune’s ongoing efforts are crucial for steering the team back towards being serious contenders. It might take another season or two for Nova to be serious contenders.
Prediction: Big East Pretenders
Xavier University
Head Coach: Sean Miller
Incoming Freshmen: N/A
Incoming Transfers (In): Ryan Conwell – SG, John Hugley – PF, Lassina Traore – C, Dante Maddox Jr. – SG, Marcus Foster – CG
Incoming Transfers (Out): Abou Ousmane – F, Desmond Claude – SG
High-Level Outlook: Sean Miller, known for maximizing player potential, returns to coach the Xavier Musketeers with his well-established prowess. Critics may doubt him, but his track record speaks volumes about his coaching capabilities. This season, Miller faces the challenge of integrating substantial new talent. Furthermore, without the benefit of incoming freshmen, he’ll lean heavily on a significant influx of experienced transfers.
Xavier welcomes five impactful transfers, poised to contribute immediately: Conwell, Hugley, Traore, Maddox Jr., and Foster. Each player brings a wealth of experience and skill, bolstering the Musketeers’ lineup. However, while the infusion of transfer talent is crucial, the long-term success of a program often hinges on developing home-grown, foundational players. Zach Freemantle is coming back this season which should provide the Musketeers with a bit more firepower. Overall, expect Xavier to show marked improvement and greater competitiveness this season. Nevertheless, the reliance on so many new players may challenge the team’s cohesion, potentially delaying their emergence as true contenders until a more unified squad develops.
Prediction: Big East Pretenders
