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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
Connecticut Huskies Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East basketball predicted order of finish

  1. Villanova Wildcats
  2. Creighton Bluejays
  3. Seton Hall Pirates
  4. UConn Huskies
  5. Marquette Golden Eagles
  6. Providence Friars
  7. Xavier Musketeers
  8. Butler Bulldogs
  9. St. John’s Red Storm
  10. DePaul Blue Demons
  11. Georgetown Hoyas

It would be a shock if Villanova and Creighton weren’t both top-three seeds for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which speaks to the prowess of both teams this year. And while teams like Seton Hall and UConn are going to be good and could win quite a lot of games, it’s a two-horse race between the Wildcats and Bluejays at the top.

Ultimately, there’s not enough for me to believe that Villanova is going to not come out with the regular season Big East basketball title. Losing Bey is obviously nothing that anyone can overlook but the overall talent on the roster is just so impressive, especially with the depth involved. Creighton will just narrowly be behind them but will finish at No. 2 nonetheless.

As mentioned, Seton Hall and UConn appear to be in the tier right behind the top-two teams but Marquette might join them. While the Golden Eagles lost Markus Howard they have a talented roster that will rely on more balanced scoring and a more team-centric approach. For my money, that will be to their benefit in the 2020-2021 season.

Down that the bottom, Patrick Ewing and Georgetown look as if they may be in for a bad time this year. The Hoyas are not only rebuilding but lost their two best players this offseason. They would have to outperform expectations to not be in the basement of the standings at season’s end.