Four solid teams will struggle in loaded Big East

by Jameson Fleming/Bleacher Report, Special to FOXSports.com

Updated: October 10, 2008, 10:48 AM EST Comment

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Four of the remaining seven teams are in a position to take a giant step forward, but the gaggle of powerful teams at the top of the conference could prevent these teams from making much progress.

Providence

The only one of the original Big East teams to never win a regular-season conference title, Providence is the poster boy for constant conference whippings. Now, for the first time in a long time, the Friars have the players to compete for a conference championship.

That may seem like a pretty bold statement, but in a normal year the Friars would probably rank fourth or fifth in the conference — which would make them a legit contender. But in the power-packed Big East this season, they are projected to finish 10th.

On the plus side, being 10th in the Big East in 2009 might be good enough to go to the NCAA tournament. Providence should turn itself around from its 15-16 record a year ago to win more than 20 games. The Friars won without their best guard, Sharaud Curry, who sat out all but one game due to injury.

Providence returns all but one player, including four who averaged double digits in points and seven who played at least 10 minutes per game. It's a team loaded with five seniors, two juniors and three sophomores.

It's also a team with a phenomenal new coach. Tim Walsh was fired after 10 so-so seasons in favor of Drake's savior, Keno Davis. Davis should be able to work the same magic he did with Drake, which was also a very deep, experienced team.

Providence is going to beat a lot of tough teams in 2009, so don't be surprised when the Friars hear their name called on Selection Sunday.

Rutgers

Rutgers has finally dipped into the good New York and New Jersey talent. Somehow, someway, the Scarlet Knights brought in two stellar freshmen who will eventually be stars in the Big East. With the strength of the conference, having two future stars says a lot.

Guard Mike Rosario of Jersey City, N.J., a McDonald's All-American, committed to Rutgers despite its 11-20 season and just three conference wins. He was joined by Gregory Echenique, a forward/center combo who will eventually be able to bang inside with the Big East's top big men. Where's he from? St. Benedict's Prep, another New Jersey school.

Rosario and Echenique will also have talent around them in their first year with the team.

As freshmen last year, Corey Chandler and Mike Coburn gained valuable experience, combining for 52 minutes and 20 points per game. Rutgers also should get solid upper-class leadership from seniors J.R. Inman and Anthony Farmer.

Once again, it goes back to how Rutgers would fare in a normal conference — maybe middle of the pack. But with a ridiculous group of teams in the Big East, the Scarlet Knights should finish no better than 12th.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati used to fall under the same category as a Memphis or a Gonzaga. They were a mid-major powerhouse. Now they are a BCS laughingstock.

Cincy's Deonta Vaughn should get more help on the offensive end this season. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

The transition from Conference USA to the Big East has come with some major lumps. The switching of conferences came at a bad point in Cincinnati's program.

Current coach Mick Cronin has only been around for two years, and a pretty bad two years at that. The Bearcats have fallen to the depths of mediocrity, but are on the way back up.

Despite losing stud guard Devan Downey, who transferred to South Carolina, Cronin has quickly reassembled Cincy's roster into a group of players who can win.

Few people outside the Big East know who Deonta Vaughn is, but the junior is one of the most dominant players in the Big East. Vaughn averaged 17.3 points for a team that couldn't score to save its life.

Vaughn won't receive much help from the other returning Bearcats, but it's the incoming transfers and freshmen who will bring new life to the program.

Texas transfer Mike Williams will help provide depth in the frontcourt. Cashmere Wright and forward Yancy Gates are two of the most over-looked freshmen in the Big East. Wright will prove to be a perfect complement to Vaughn because of his ability to drive and finish or drive and pitch.

Despite the collection of impressive players, the Bearcats will still be left in the dust, wondering how they can catch up to the top-tier Big East teams.

St. John's

The St. John's name used to carry a lot of weight — and to basketball traditionalists, it still does. But to those new to the game in the 21st century, Red Storm basketball is a joke.

Mike Jarvis sent this team spiraling downward in a hurry. Now Norm Roberts has been left to try to pick up the pieces.

It would seem like a school that plays in the Big East conference, that has a rich history, and plays home games in the most recognizable arena in the world, Madison Square Garden, shouldn't have trouble attracting players.

But a string of poor recruiting classes, busts and injuries have left St. John's wondering when they'll ever get back to the promised land.

While the current recruiting class is solid, it lacks a major superstar that can help Roberts rebrand the program. He needs to be able to keep the best players from New York City in New York City in order to make the Johnnies consistent winners.

In 2009, St. John's has a stud in senior Anthony Mason and a few promising underclassmen, but that's it.

The Red Storm will be left fighting it out with South Florida to stay out of the conference's cellar.