Big East Power Rankings

1. Georgetown. Losing Jeff Green and his 14.3 points per game, 6.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists will hurt the Hoyas but they still have a veteran group led by Roy Hibbert. Until they are dethroned, they deserve top billing. With two promising freshman point guards Austin Freeman and Chris Wright and two solid starters Jessie Sapp and Jonathan Wallace, the front court looks solid. For this team to reach the Final Four again, they will need Patrick Ewing Jr. and Vernon Macklin to step up and contribute more.

2. Louisville. With almost every starter returning except Brandon Jenkins, the Louisville Cardinals look primed to take the crown from Georgetown. Not many teams can match their forwards of Juan Palacios and Terrence Williams but for this team to move into the top spot, they need Derrick Caracter to stay healthy.

3. Marquette. Dominic James is by far the best guard in The Big East and with all his running mates returning, it wouldn’t be surprising if they take the top spot when all is said and done. They are solid at the forward position but lack a strong inside presence which could come back and haunt them. The X factor on this team is Wesley Matthews. If he can put together a solid year then this team will take the next step forward.

4.Connecticut. With every player returning, this team should be much improved. Jerome Dyson should mature and Thabeet should anchor a already solid defensive unit. The key to their success will be a consistent field goal percentage and making free throws.

5. Pittsburgh. They are ranked higher in national rankings than Connecticut but they lost to much last year. With the losses of Aaron Gray, Antonio Graves and Levon Kendall, Pittsburgh needs to rely on Levance Fields, Dejaun Blair, Mike Cook and Ronald Ramon to carry this team. They lack a legitimate post player and it could hurt in rebounding.

6. Syracuse. They have a heralded incoming class but they are still unproven and with only Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins the only returning starters, Syracuse might have a few early bumps in the road. Donte Green will make an immediate impact but it is to early to give him the "Melo" status. They will be dangerous come February.

7. Providence. They have good size and speed and only lost Herbert Hill. Sharaud Curry and Weyinimi Efejuku are the real deal and should help solidify the back court while Geoff McDermott will hold down the middle. Watch out for Dwain Williams. He is an emerging star.

8. Villanova. They lost to much last year with the departures of Curtis Sumpter, Mike Nardi and Will Sheridan but with Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham making a name for themselves last year, this team should find a way into The Big Dance. Corey Fisher should help with the scoring load and they are going to need all the help they can get.

9. West Virginia. Losing Frank Young might hurt this team more then imagined. With the extra burden placed on Darris Nichols and Joe Alexander and Alex Ruoff to produce might be to much. But the one determining factor is the lack of size other then Jamie Smalligan, a 7-footer who likes to shoot threes. They came in 15th in rebounding margin last year and if they don't strike gold with incoming freshman John Flowers then this team will struggle.

10. Seton Hall. With Eugene Harvey and Brian Laing returning, this team looks poised to move up the rankings but with such a small team, the burden of holding the front court down falls on the shoulders of freshman Mike Davis. If he is what I think he is then this team should create a few upsets this year.

11. Cincinnati. Deonta Vaughn should get some help Alvin Mitchell and Jamual Warren. Incoming freshman Anthony McClain should make an immediate difference in their defense which was poor last year. If their freshman contribute then they should be respectable.

12. Notre Dame. With Russell Carter leaving, Notre Dame will rely on Rob Kurz and Luke Harangody to score more and if freshman Kyle Mcalarney steps up then this team should bounce back. But there are to many ifs.

13. St. Johns. There are to many questions on this team to move them up the rankings, like where is the scoring coming from? With to much talent leaving, the load will fall on Eugene Lawrences and Anthony Mason’s shoulders. No one knows what to expect from this team or what Justin Burrell will do.

14. De Paul. Losing Wilson Chandler and Sammy Mejia will hurt De Paul to much though Draelon Burns is a solid player. There are to many missing parts to make this team a legitimate threat.

15. South Florida. Kentrell Gransberry is a beast, averaging a double-double last year, but they just don’t have enough fire power to compete.

16. Rutgers. They have a promising freshman in Corey Chandler but the only way Rutgers will get out of The Big East cellar is if JR Inman steps up and carries this team.