ESPN ranks the conferences

[ArmyVet]

Sort of interesting on a quiet day. Big East checks in at #5.

What's good about the Big East: Stars, stars, stars. The Big East has two of the best individual offensive players in the country in Marquette's Markus Howard and St. John's guard Shamorie Ponds. Both players are capable of going for 40 points on a given night. Phil Booth is the latest star to blossom for Villanova and has played himself into All-American consideration, while Seton Hall's Myles Powell has hit the 30-point mark five times this season. Any time these guards get together in a head-to-head matchup, it's worth watching.

Big East rankings

Top/Bottom Strength 5th
NCAA Title Likelihood 5th
Star Players Factor T-3rd
Overall Watchability 3rd

What's bad about the Big East: After sitting comfortably in the top tier of power conferences the past few seasons, the Big East has fallen back to the pack in terms of top-to-bottom strength and national contenders. The obvious reason is Villanova's "rebuilding" season. While the Wildcats still might win the Big East, they're not a favorite to cut down the nets in early April. And outside of Villanova and Marquette, there isn't a surefire NCAA tournament team in the league. No one else is more than one game above .500 in conference play -- and teams No. 3-No. 10 are all within three games. -- Jeff Borzello

link - http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... basketball

[GoldenWarrior11]

Fair and honest assessment. We all expected for the league to take a step back this season. Next year looks very promising with the in-coming recruits and returning players. Since the Big East has consistently been rated as a top-5 basketball conference since 2014, there should be little argument saying otherwise.

If Marquette was able to make an Elite 8 run, it would certainly do wonders to elevate the already-strong perception of the league (that would have Villanova, Xavier and Marquette be Elite 8 programs in past three seasons).

[scoscox]

I guess nova not being a national contender is an obvious reason, but maybe an even bigger reason is Xavier having a massive rebuild year under a new coach, Providence underperforming, and creighton and seton hall rebuilding simultaneously. The good news is that the league should be a monster next year with all it has coming back.

[NJRedman]

We could legitimately bring everyone but Clark and Ponds back next year. Simon and Heron as senior leaders with LJ, Kieta joining in the starting line up. Could be possible for our first back to back NCAA's since '98/'99.

[scoscox]

What are the odds ponds comes back next year?