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1982-83 Season
The career leader in points, as Big East play begins (nobody before the conference being formed is counted) is Barney Ellis of Providence, with 1482. Ellis averaged 22.2 PPG last year at a 42% clip. He is only a 64% FT shooter. This does not bode well for Providence.
Preseason Rankings (Top Ten)
1. BYU (32 1st)
2. Baylor (33)
3. Oregon
4. Western Kentucky (7)
5. Virginia
6. NC State
7. Southern Cal
8. SMU
9. Washington
10. Maryland
Nobody from the Big East is ranked, rather predictably. No team received a single vote.
Preseason Big East Team
PG: James Goolsby, Boston College (JR)
SG: Barney Ellis, Providence (SR)
SF: Douglas Walker, Syracuse (SR*)
PF: Johnnie Lathrop, Georgetown (JR*)
C: Alonzo Davies, Syracuse (JR*)
(Note: Only 12 All-Americans have been produced by Big East teams in 32 years.)
Highest (senior) pro prospect: Ellis (not in Top 50 in class)
Highest ceiling: C Joe Wold, Connecticut (SOPH)
(Note: Only Villanova has had a single top-five draftee. In 32 years, Big East teams have produced 19 first-round picks at the professional level.)
Rising: Villanova
Falling: Georgetown
Preseason Predictions
1. Providence - Deeper by default, with the league's top scorer in Ellis. (NCAA)
2. Syracuse - Solid (for league standards) starting group, led by Walker, Davies. (NIT)
3. Boston College - Deep disruptive backcourt leads Eagles. (NIT)
4. St. John's - The league begins to drop here. Solid 4/5 for Johnnies, though.
5. Georgetown - Hoyas could do well if they come together.
6. Villanova - Got some youth in the pipeline now, at least.
7. Connecticut - Very mediocre team in Storrs.
8. Seton Hall - One player in Carlos Gasper, who is a bridge to frosh Jefferson Wilson
9. Pittsburgh - The cupboard is barren. Reno Harrison and Gary Leahy are awful.
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