The Big East sent a record eight teams to the NCAA Tournament last season. The conference may not quite match that this year, but it will still boast some of the best competition in the nation. The teams Syracuse beat in the finals and semifinals of the Big East tournament last season-Pittsburgh and Georgetown-will top the conference.

1. Pittsburgh2006 record: 10-6Projected MVP: Aaron GrayDespite losing Carl Krauser, the Panthers are the favorite to finish on top of the Big East. Aaron Gray made a major leap last year and should thrive as the team’s go-to guy this season. Ronald Ramon and Levance Fields shot over 40 percent from 3-point range last year and anchor the backcourt.

2. Georgetown2006 record: 10-6Projected MVP: Jeff GreenRoy Hibbert and Jeff Green will give the Hoyas one of the most intimidating frontcourts in the nation. For all the hype Hibbert receives, he could not stay on the court for more than 24 minutes per game and failed to record seven rebounds per game. The point guard position will be the team’s Achilles heel. 3. Syracuse2006 record: 7-9Projected MVP: Eric DevendorfThe Orange will not be lacking experience, bringing back four starters, including the entire frontcourt. Combine that with one of the more talented backcourts in the land and Syracuse will be a force this season. Darryl Watkins improved his play immensely last year and could give the Orange a legitimate inside threat.

4. Connecticut2006 record: 14-2Projected MVP: Hasheem ThabeetThe Huskies will drop in the standings after losing five players to the NBA draft. 7-foot-3 freshman Hasheem Thabeet is projected to be an incredible shot blocker and may join last year’s starters in the NBA next season. UConn could finish anywhere between first and 10th depending on its freshman class.

5. Marquette2006 record: 10-6Projected MVP: Dominic JamesMarquette quietly moved up to the fourth seed in the conference tournament last year, mostly because of the play of Steve Novak. Now that he’s gone to the NBA, the Golden Eagles will rely on a smaller three-guard lineup, including Dominic James, Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal.

6. Villanova2006 record: 14-2Projected MVP: Curtis SumpterThe Wildcats will struggle to score from the outside after losing Randy Foye and Allan Ray. Curtis Sumpter’s return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury will help the frontcourt. In the end, Villanova just doesn’t have the talent to compete with the top Big East teams this season.

7. Louisville2006 record: 6-10Projected MVP: David PadgettTaquan Dean is gone, but the Cardinals still have enough experience to contend in the conference. If David Padgett can stay healthy and freshman big man Derrick Caracter lives up to the hype, Louisville should win its share of games.

8. DePaul2006 record: 5-11Projected MVP: Sammy MejiaThe starting five is back from a team that beat Syracuse by 39 points last season. The win may have been a fluke, but it also may have shown what the Blue Demons are capable of. Sammy Mejia led the team in scoring last year but will need to improve his 3-point shooting to be a consistent force.

9. West Virginia2006 record: 11-5Projected MVP: Frank YoungThe Mountaineers will make the biggest fall this season after losing four starters. While UConn can simply reload with a top freshman class, West Virginia will have to rebuild slowly. Frank Young is the most experienced player but is hardly a go-to guy.

10. St. John’s2006 record: 5-11Projected MVP: Lamont HamiltonLamont Hamilton and Daryll Hill give St. John’s a well-balanced attack this season. The 6-foot-10 Hamilton led the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game and rebounds with 7.6 per game and will be a force inside. The 6-foot Hill loves to drive to the basket and shoot free throws.

11. Notre Dame2006 record: 6-10Projected MVP: Colin FallsChris Quinn graduated and took his great 3-point skills with him, but Colin Falls will continue Notre Dame’s tradition of shooting the long ball. The senior was second on the team in scoring last season and shot 39.7 percent from behind the arc. But Falls cannot help the Fighting Irish find a presence inside.

12. Providence2006 record: 5-11Projected MVP: Randall HankeThe Friars will rely on Randall Hanke on both sides of the court this season. The 6-foot-11 junior center averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game last year. Herbert Hill and Geoff McDermott will give Providence even more depth inside as the two combined for 17.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.

13. Seton Hall2006 record: 9-7Projected MVP: Jamar NutterBobby Gonzalez replaces Louis Orr as the new head coach for the Pirates, but he will not have the same talent his predecessor had. Jamar Nutter is the team’s leading returning scorer with 12.1 points per game but does not have enough of a supporting cast to make a difference.

14. Rutgers2006 record: 7-9Projected MVP: J.R. InmanQuincy Douby accounted for 37 percent of Rutgers’ offense last season. Now that Douby is in the NBA, Rutgers will drop significantly in the standings. Marquis Webb scored 9.5 points per game but can not make up for the offensive hole left by Douby’s departure.

15. Cincinnati2006 record: 8-8Projected MVP: Marvin GentryNew coach Mick Cronin will have his work cut out for him. Point guard Devan Downey left the team after averaging 11.9 points per game as a true freshman, leaving one of many hole for Cronin to fill.

16. South Florida2006 record: 1-15The Bulls finally recorded their first Big East win with a victory over Georgetown in the final regular season contest. Solomon Jones averaged 13.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year but he’s playing for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks this season.

Published on November 6, 2006 at 12:00 pm