Men’s College Basketball 2021-2022 Season Preview: Big East

The Big East is going extremely top heavy on paper but the teams feature plenty of intriguing fantasy options. Much like the other conferences we have previewed over the last week or two, the Big East coaches took full advantage of the transfer portal and were able to reload their rosters quickly. Some of my favorite players to use in DFS are in the Big East with Posh Alexander, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Julian Champagnie being near the top of my list. Let’s dive into the always fun Big East!

(Check out our full college basketball season preview!)

Villanova Wildcats

2020-2021 record: 18-7 (11-4 Big East) first in Big East
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen

Key Departures | Villanova Wildcats

• Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (NBA)
• Cole Swider (transferred to Syracuse)

Key Additions | Villanova Wildcats

• Angelo Brizzi (3 star recruit)
• Nnanna Njoku (top 100 recruit)
• Jordan Longino (top 60 recruit)

Returners | Villanova Wildcats

• Collin Gillespie (14 PPG/3.3 RPG/4.6 APG/1 SPG)
• Justin Moore (12.9 PPG/4.1 RPG/3 APG)
• Jermaine Samuels (12 PPG/6.4 RPG/2.5 APG)
• Caleb Daniels (9.6 PPG/2.2 RPG)
• Brandon Slater (3.8 PPG/2.2 RPG)
• Bryan Antoine (2.3 PPG)
• Eric Dixon (3 PPG)
• Trey Patterson (early enrollee but didn’t play much last year)

Impact Players | Villanova Wildcats

• Collin Gillespie
• Jermaine Samuels

The Sneaks | Villanova Wildcats

• Caleb Daniels
• Bryan Antoine

Breakout Candidate | Villanova Wildcats

• Justin Moore

UConn Huskies

2020-2021 record: 15-8 (11-6 Big East), third in Big East
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament first round

• Key Departures | UConn Huskies
• James Bouknight (NBA draftee)
• Josh Carlton (transferred to Houston)

Key Additions | UConn Huskies

• Rahsool Diggins (top 60 recruit)
• Jordan Hawkins (top 50 recruit)
• Samson Johnson (top 60 recruit)

Returners | UConn Huskies

• Tyrese Martin (10.3 PPG/7.5 RPG/1 SPG)
• R.J. Cole (12.2 PPG/3 RPG/4.3 APG/1.2 SPG)
• Isaiah Whaley (8 PPG/6.2 RPG/1 SPG/2.6 BPG)
• Adam Sanogo (7.3 PPG/4.8 RPG/0.9 BPG)
• Jalen Gaffney (6.1 PPG)
• Tyler Polley (7.5 PPG)
• Akok Akok (1.3 PPG)
• Andre Jackson (2.7 PPG/2.9 RPG)

Impact Players | UConn Huskies

• R.J. Cole
• Tyrese Martin
• Isaiah Whaley

The Sneaks | UConn Huskies

• Andre Jackson
• Adam Sanogo

Breakout Candidate | UConn Huskies

• Jalen Gaffney

Seton Hall Pirates

2020-2021 record: 14-13 (10-9 Big East), fifth in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Seton Hall Pirates

• Sandro Mamukelashvili (NBA)
• Shavar Reynolds (transferred to Monmouth)

Key Additions | Seton Hall Pirates

• Alexis Yetna (transferred from South Florida)
• Kadary Richmond (transferred from Syracuse)
• Jamir Harris (transferred from American)
• Brandon Weston (top 90 recruit)
• Tyler Powell (3 star recruit)
• Ryan Conway (3 star recruit)

Returners | Seton Hall Pirates

• Jared Rhoden (14.9 PPG/6.7 RPG/1.2 SPG)
• Myles Cale (11.6 PPG/3.6 RPG)
• Ike Obiagu (4.9 PPG/4.5 RPG/2.9 BPG)
• Bryce Aiken (5.7 PPG)
• Tyrese Samuel (5.4 PPG/3.3 RPG)

Impact Players | Seton Hall Pirates

• Jared Rhoden
• Alexis Yetna
• Myles Cale

The Sneak | Seton Hall Pirates

• Jamir Harris

Breakout Candidate | Seton Hall Pirates

• Kadary Richmond

Xavier Musketeers

2020-2021 record: 13-8 (6-7 Big East), seventh in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Xavier Musketeers

• Jason Carter (transferred back to Ohio)
• Bryan Griffin (left program)

Key Additions | Xavier Musketeers

• Jerome Hunter (transferred from Indiana)
• Jack Nunge (transferred from Iowa)
• Cesare Edwards (4 star recruit)
• Elijah Tucker (3 star recruit)

Returners | Xavier Musketeers

• Zach Freemantle (16.1 PPG/8.9 RPG)
• Paul Scruggs (14 PPG/4 RPG/5.7 APG/1.6 SPG)
• Nate Johnson (11.4 PPG/3 point shooting sniper)
• Colby Jones (7.7 PPG/4.8 RPG/1.3 SPG)
• Dwon Odom (6.6 PPG/2.6 RPG/2.9 APG)
• Adam Kunkel (7 PPG)
• Ben Stanley (6 PPG)

Impact Players | Xavier Musketeers

• Zach Freemantle (injured to start the year)
• Paul Scruggs

The Sneaks | Xavier Musketeers

• Nate Johnson
• Dwon Odom

Breakout Candidate | Xavier Musketeers

• Colby Jones

St. John’s Red Storm

2020-2021 record: 16-11 (10-9 Big East), fourth in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | St John’s Red Storm

• Rasheem Dunn (transferred to Robert Morris)
• Isiah Moore (transferred to Southern Miss)
• Vince Cole (transferred to Coastal Carolina)
• Marcellus Earlington (transferred to San Diego)
• Josh Roberts (transferred to Manhattan)
• Greg Williams (transferred to Louisiana)

Key Additions | St John’s Red Storm

• Aaron Wheeler (transferred from Purdue)
• Montez Mathis (transferred from Rutgers)
• Joel Soriano (transferred from Fordham)
• Stef Smith (transferred from Vermont)
• Tareq Coburn (transferred from Hofstra)
• Rafael Pinzon (3 star recruit)

Returners | St John’s Red Storm

• Julian Champagnie (19.8 PPG/7.4 RPG/1.4 SPG)
• Posh Alexander (10.9 PPG/3.4 RPG/4.3 APG/2.6 SPG)
• Dylan Addae-Wusu (6.5 PPG/2.7 RPG/2.4 APG)

Impact Players | St John’s Red Storm

• Julian Champagnie
• Posh Alexander

The Sneaks | St John’s Red Storm

• Aaron Wheeler
• Tareq Coburn

Breakout Candidate | St John’s Red Storm

• Joel Soriano

Butler Bulldogs

2020-2021 record: 10-15 (8-12 Big East), 10th in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Butler Bulldogs

• JaKobe Coles (transferred to TCU)

Key Additions | Butler Bulldogs

• Ty Groce (transferred from EMU)
• Pierce Thomas (3 star recruit)
• Jayden Taylor (3 star recruit)

Returners | Butler Bulldogs

• Chuck Harris (12.9 PPG/3 RPG/1 SPG)
• Jair Bolden (10.5 PPG/3.5 RPG)
• Bryce Nze (11.4 PPG/7.7 RPG/2.1 APG)
• Aaron Thompson (10.4 PPG/4.7 APG/1.1 SPG)
• Bo Hodges (8.2 PPG/6 RPG/2.3 APG)
• Myles Tate (6.7 PPG/2.5 RPG/1.2 SPG)

Impact Players | Butler Bulldogs

• Bryce Nze
• Bo Hodges
• Aaron Thompson

The Sneaks | Butler Bulldogs

• Myles Tate
• Ty Groce

Breakout Candidate | Butler Bulldogs

• Chuck Harris

Providence Friars

2020-2021 record: 13-13 (9-10 Big East), sixth in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Providence Friars

• David Duke (NBA)
• Greg Gantt (transferred to NC State)
• Jimmy Nichols (transferred to VCU)
• Key Additions | Providence Friars
• Al Durham (transferred from Indiana)
• Justin Minaya (transferred from South Carolina)
• Rafael Castro (3 star recruit)

Returners | Providence Friars

• Jared Bynum (5.8 PPG/3.6 APG/1 SPG)
• Nate Watson (16.9 PPG/6.7 RPG)
• AJ Reeves (9.6 PPG/3.6 RPG)
• Noah Horchler (6.7 PPG/5.7 RPG)
• Alyn Breed (5 PPG/2.1 RPG)
• Ed Croswell (2.3 PPG)
• Brycen Goodine (1.6 PPG)

Impact Players | Providence Friars

• Nate Watson
• Al Durham

The Sneaks | Providence Friars

• Noah Horchler

Breakout Candidate | Providence Friars

• Jared Bynum

(Check out our rankings of the top 100 teams and top 100 players for men’s college basketball in 2021-2022.)

Creighton Bluejays

2020-2021 record: 22-9 (14-6 Big East), second in Big East
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen

Key Departures | Creighton Bluejays

• Marcus Zegarowski (playing professionally)
• Denzel Mahoney (playing professionally)
• Mitch Ballock (playing professionally)
• Christian Bishop (transferred to Texas)
• Damien Jefferson (playing professionally)

Key Additions | Creighton Bluejays

• Ryan Hawkins (D2 transfer)
• Arthur Kaluma (top 50 recruit)
• Ryan Nembhard (top 70 recruit)
• Trey Alexander (top 75 recruit)
• Mason Miller (top 75 recruit)
• Keyshawn Feazell (transferred from McNeese State)

Returners | Creighton Bluejays

• Shereef Mitchell (3.3 PPG)
• Ryan Kalkbrenner (5.9 PPG/3.5 RPG/1.3 BPG)
• Alex O’Connell (3.4 PPG)
• Rati Andronikashvili (missed last year with injury)

Impact Players | Creighton Bluejays

• Alex O’Connell
• Arthur Kaluma

The Sneaks | Creighton Bluejays

• Rati Andronikashvili
• Ryan Nembhard
• Trey Alexander

Breakout Candidate | Creighton Bluejays

• Ryan Kalkbrenner

Marquette Golden Eagles

2020-2021 record: 13-14 (8-11 Big East), ninth in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Dawson Garcia (transferred to UNC)
• DJ Carton (playing professionally)
• Theo John (transferred to Duke)
• Koby McEwen (transferred to Weber State)
• Jamal Cain (transferred to Oakland)

Key Additions | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Darryl Morsell (transferred from Maryland)
• Tyler Kolek (transferred from George Mason)
• Kur Kuath (transferred from Oklahoma)
• Olivier-Maxence Prosper (transferred from Clemson)
• Stevie Mitchell (top 100 recruit)
• Emarion Ellis (4 star recruit)
• Kameron Jones (3 star recruit)

Returners | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Justin Lewis (7.8 PPG/5.4 RPG)
• Greg Elliott (6.2 PPG)

Impact Players | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Darryl Morsell
• Tyler Kolek

The Sneaks | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Stevie Mitchell
• Greg Elliott

Breakout Candidate | Marquette Golden Eagles

• Justin Lewis

Georgetown Hoyas

2020-2021 record: 13-13 (7-9 Big East), eighth in Big East
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament first round

Key Departures | Georgetown Hoyas

• Qudus Wahab (transferred to Maryland)
• Chudier Bile (playing professionally)
• Jamorko Pickett (playing professionally)
• Jalen Harris (left program)

Key Additions | Georgetown Hoyas

• Kaiden Rice (transferred from The Citadel)
• Ryan Mutombo (4 star recruit)
• Aminu Mohammed (top 25 recruit)
• Jordan Riley (3 star recruit)
• Tyler Beard (3 star recruit)
• Jalin Billingsley (3 star recruit)

Returners | Georgetown Hoyas

• Dante Harris (8 PPG/3.4 RPG/3.2 APG/1.2 SPG)
• Donald Carey (8 PPG/3 RPG)
• Tim Ighoefe (2.5 PPG/3.2 RPG)

Impact Players | Georgetown Hoyas

• Donald Carey
• Aminu Mohammed

The Sneaks | Georgetown Hoyas

• Ryan Mutombo
• Tim Ighoefe

Breakout Candidate | Georgetown Hoyas

• Dante Harris

DePaul Blue Demons

2020-2021 record: 5-14 (2-13 Big East), 11th/last in Big East
Postseason: None

Key Departures | DePaul Blue Demons

• Romeo Weems (playing professionally)
• Charlie Moore (transferred to Miami)
• Ray Salnave (transferred to UMBC)
• Pauly Paulicap (transferred to West Virginia)
• Kobe Elvis (transferred to Dayton)
• Darious Hall (transferred to Central Arkansas)

Key Additions | DePaul Blue Demons

• Jalen Terry (transferred from Oregon)
• Brandon Johnson (transferred from Minnesota)
• Tyon Grant-Foster (transferred from Kansas)
• Yor Anei (transferred from SMU)
• Javan Johnson (transferred from Iowa State)
• Ahamad Bynum (top 90 recruit)

Returners | DePaul Blue Demons

• Javon Freeman-Liberty (14.4 PPG/5.3 RPG/1.5 SPG)
• Nick Ongenda (5.7 PPG/4 RPG/1.5 BPG)
• David Jones (5.1 PPG/2.7 RPG)
• Courvoisier McCauley (3.2 PPG)

Impact Players | DePaul Blue Demons

• Javon Freeman-Liberty
• Nick Ongenda
• Brandon Johnson

The Sneaks | DePaul Blue Demons

• Jalen Terry
• Ahamad Bynum

Breakout Candidate | DePaul Blue Demons

• David Jones