Early projections: Bleacher Reports predicts Big East order of finish

It's already August, which means that the college basketball previews are in the works, using actual information from coaches (from time to time) and a better sense of which players are really coming back as college semesters are about to dawn.

So today, we get to take a look at a Bleacher Report preview (which I have saved in non-slideshow form, you’re welcome). The order of finish:

1. Villanova
2. Xavier
3. Creighton
4. Georgetown
5. Butler
6. Marquette
7. Seton Hall
8. Providence
9. St. John's
10. DePaul

A reasonable set of assertions and placements, there.

But so much can change from year to year, with stars like Kris Dunn, Ben Bentil, Ryan Arcidiacono, Isaiah Whitehead, Henry Ellenson, Roosevelt Jones, Jalen Reynolds, Durand Johnson, Myke Henry and D`Vauntes Smith-Rivera all leaving. 

Some of those names might make a casual observer say "no big loss". But for good teams and bad, when a player's abilities have dictated what the team does on the court, seeing that player move on to professional pastures means every player is affected. 

Who steps up? Who can just slide into the vacated slot? How does the team's game change? Which newcomers can slide in and make an immediate impact?

As far as the actual list goes, the middle of the conference might be a little soft. Can Georgetown bounce back - with a team that has a good deal of last year's high-level talent? How far will the middle teams fall as they find their identity? Can St. John's with an offseason of prep and experience, make moves up in the conference? 

This season has more questions than last offseason did, and we're excited to see it acted out on the court.