Cincinnati
Coach: Mick Cronin, fourth season, 42-52 (111-76, 7th season overall)
2008-09 record: 18-14, 8-10
Returning starters: G Deonta Vaughn, F Yancy Gates, G Larry Davis, F Rashad Bishop
Key losses: Mike Williams
Overview: With McDonald’s All-American Lance Stephenson cleared to play hours before the Bearcats’ first exhibition game, Cincinnati added another strong backcourt threat to go with Vaughn. The Bearcats will also count on Gates to follow his Big East all-rookie team performance with a strong sophomore season.
Connecticut
Coach: Jim Calhoun, 24th season, 557-205 (805-342, 38th season overall)
2008-09 record: 31-5, 15-3, NCAA tournament (lost 82-73 to Michigan State in Final Four)
Returning starters: G Jerome Dyson, F Stanley Robinson
Key losses: Hasheem Thebeet, Jeff Adrien, A.J. Price
Overview: The Huskies’ top three scorers from last season are gone, but Connecticut remains a talented team. Dyson’s return from injury, – he averaged 13.2 points before missing final 12 games – along with having Kemba Walker and Robinson in the mix give the Huskies a talented core.
DePaul
Coach: Jerry Wainwright, fifth season, 32-58 (145-188, 16th season overall)
2008-09 record: 9-24, 0-18
Returning starters: G Will Walker, F/C Mac Koshwal
Key losses: Dar Tucker
Overview: Walker (14.6 ppg) and Koshwal (12.2) were second in third in scoring for the Blue Demons last season, but the loss of leading scorer Tucker (18.5) could make this another long season.
Georgetown
Coach: John Thompson III, sixth season, 116-51 (184-93, ninth season overall)
2008-09 record: 16-15, 7-11
Returning starters: C Greg Monroe, G Chris Wright, G Austin Freeman
Key losses: DaJuan Summers, Jesse Sapp
Overview: Monroe, a sophomore, was the only underclassman selected to the preseason All-Big East team after averaging 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season. His development, aided by the return of Wright and Freeman, could get the Hoyas back to the NCAA tournament.
Louisville
Coach: Rick Pitino, ninth season, 200-69 (552-197, 23rd season overall)
2008-09 record: 31-6, 16-2 (lost to Michigan State in Elite Eight)
Returning starter: G Jerry Smith, F Samardo Samuels, G Edgar Sosa
Key losses: Terrence Williams, Earl Clark
Overview: With Smith (7.8 ppg), Sosa (7.3) and Preston Knowles (6.1), the Cardinals have the guard play to reach the NCAA tournament again, but they need to find help for Samuels up front.
Marquette
Coach: Buzz Williams, second season, 25-10 (39-27, third season overall)
2008-09 record: 25-10, 12-6, NCAA tournament (lost 83-79 to Missouri in second round)
Returning starter: F Lasar Hayward
Key losses: Dominic James, Wesley Matthews, Jerel McNeal, Dwight Burke
Overview: After a strong first season, Williams will take his lumps this season with only Hayward (16.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg) returning to the starting lineup.
Notre Dame
Coach: Mike Brey, 10th season, 188-101 (266-138, 13th season overall)
2008-09 record: 21-15, 8-10, NIT (lost 67-59 to Penn State in semifinals)
Returning starters: F Luke Harangody, G Tory Jackson
Key losses: Kyle McAlarney, Ryan Ayers, Zach Hillesland
Overview: The return of Harangody (23.3 ppg, 11.8 rpg) makes the Irish competitive, but players will have to step up around him. Transfer Ben Hansbrough, who sat out last season, will be counted on to take the big shot McAlarney used to take.
Pittsburgh
Coach: Jamie Dixon, seventh season, 163-45 (163-45 overall)
2008-09 record: 31-5, 15-3, NCAA tournament (lost 78-76 to Villanova in Elite Eight)
Returning starters: G Jermaine Dixon
Key losses: DeJuan Blair, Sam Young, Levance Fields, Tyler Biggs
Overview: The Panthers are rebuilding for the first time in Dixon’s seven seasons, as only defensive specialist Dixon returns from last seasons starters. Expect a drop in victories.
Providence
Coach: Keno Davis, second season, 19-14 (47-19, third season overall)
2008-09 record: 19-14, 10-8
Returning starters: G Sharaud Curry
Key losses: Weyinmi Efejuku, Jonathan Kale, Jeff Xavier, Geoff McDermott, Randall Hanke
Overview: The Friars lost 65.6 percent of their scoring and 67.3 percent of their rebounding from last season. Curry was second on the team in scoring (11.7 ppg) last season, but he is surrounded by inexperienced players.
Rutgers
Coach: Fred Hill, fourth season, 32-50 (32-50 overall)
2008-09 record: 11-21, 2-16
Returning starters: G Mike Rosario, F Gregory Echenique, C Hamady Ndiaye
Key losses: Anthony Farmer, Cory Chandler
Overview: Rosario, who was a Big East all-rookie team selection after averaging 16.2 points, gives the Scarlet Knights a solid player to build around, but they have to find more scoring to complement the guard.
Seton Hall
Coach: Bobby Gonzalez, fourth season, 47-46 (176-123, 11th season overall)
2008-09 record: 17-15, 7-11
Returning starters: G Jeremy Hazell, F Robert Mitchell, G Eugene Harvey, F/C John Garcia
Key losses: Paul Gause
Overview: Transfers Herb Pope, Keon Lawrence and Jeff Robinson will give the Pirates extra scoring punch around Hazell (22.7 ppg) and could make this team dangerous. Robinson will not be able to play until the second semester.
South Florida
Coach: Stan Heath, third season, 21-41 (133-118, ninth season overall)
2008-09 record: 9-22, 4-14
Returning starters: G Dominique Jones, F/C Augustus Gilchrist, G Chris Howard, C Alex Rivas
Key losses: Jesus Verdejo
Overview: The Bulls rely on Jones to do almost everything; he averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season. But South Florida needs to get him some help, and the returning starters didn’t give him much last season.
St. John’s
Coach: Norm Roberts, sixth season, 64-85 (64-85 overall)
2008-09 record: 16-18, 6-12, CBI (lost to Richmond 75-69 in first round)
Returning starters: G Parris Horne, G/F D.J. Kennedy, F Sean Evans, F Justin Burrell, G Malik Booth
Key losses: None
Overview: The return of forward Anthony Mason Jr., who was limited to three games last season with a foot injury, will likely force a returning starter to the bench. The Red Storm must improve on offense after shooting 42.6 percent.
Syracuse
Coach: Jim Boeheim, 33rd season, 799-288 (799-288 overall)
2008-09 record: 28-10, 11-7, NCAA tournament (lost 84-71 to Oklahoma in Sweet 16)
Returning starters: F Rick Jackson, F Arinze Onuaku
Key losses: Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, Paul Harris
Overview: The Orange’s stunning 82-79 exhibition loss to Le Moyne proved this is a rare rebuilding year for Syracuse. Jackson (8.3 ppg) and Onuaku (10.3 ppg) helps, but Syracuse did lose its top three scorers.
Villanova
Coach: Jay Wright, ninth season, 178-91 (300-176, 16th season overall)
2008-09 record: 30-8, 13-5, NCAA tournament (lost 83-69 to North Carolina in Final Four)
Returning starters: G Scottie Reynolds, G Reggie Redding
Key losses: Dante Cunningham, Dwayne Anderson, Shane Clark
Overview: Reynolds (15.2 ppg) takes over the leadership mantel for a team likely to contend for a second consecutive Final Four berth.
West Virginia
Coach: Bob Huggins, third season, 49-23 (639-234, 28th season overall)
2008-09 record: 23-12, 10-8, NCAA tournament (lost 68-60 to Dayton in first round)
Returning starters: F Da’Sean Butler, F Devin Ebanks, G Darryl Bryant, F Wellington Smith
Key losses: Alex Ruoff
Overview: With four returning starters, headlined by Butler (18.2 ppg, 6 rpg) and Ebanks (11.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg), the Mountaineers have the potential to reach their first Final Four since Jerry West played for them in 1959.
