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NCAA basketball: Big East basketball bold predictions for 2020-2021

By Cody Williams

Jan 7, 2020; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) defends against the Creighton Bluejays in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2020; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (24) defends against the Creighton Bluejays in the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big East basketball
Villanova Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East basketball Coach of the Year: Jay Wright, Villanova

There’s no question that the Villanova Wildcats have emerged as an elite program under Jay Wright and, as such, the head coach is a perennial candidate to win Big East Coach of the Year. And the 2020-2021 season is no exception to that, especially considering that his team could be in line to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

If you look at the talent on the Villanova roster, it’s obvious why they’re considered one of the favorites to win the conference. There is talent on every level of the roster and down the bench as well. Subsequently, the job of Wright entails getting this group to coalesce and live up to their potential and they should then be Big East champs.

While that may be so, Wright has plenty of narrative working in his favor this year. For starters, he enters this season without his best player from last year, Saddiq Bey, which will certainly play well with award voters as they look for the job that coaches have done. Moreover, Wright could be in the hunt for his third National Championship in six years, which would be a historic clip.

Essentially, if Wright is able to churn out another season where Villanova lives up to expectations, he should be a shoo-in for this award. The narrative is on his side and he has the group under his watch that should help him check every box that he needs to.