This is a reason why they are ranked 8 in my prediction

They are somewhat under the radar, as they haven't made it to the "Big Dance" since '05. Mick Cronin and his returning players may be the most excited team to step out onto a basketball court this season and play their first game, remembering their first-round loss in the Big East Tournament to Depaul. This season, the Bearcats return with a young, versatile team that could be very deep. Deonta Vaughn is one of the four starters that return, and he could have a huge impact on this team. The scoring guard is accompanied by Cashmere Wright, a guard that missed last season with a torn ACL. This will hopefully allow Vaughn even more scoring oppurtunities for Cincinnati. Larry Davis and Dion Dixon are also back, and a late signing brings Virginia high-school phenom Jaquon Parker into the mix as well.

This is a very athletic team that has the potential to upset many teams this year. Watch out for Cincinnati as they are on their way back to the top in College Basketball.. He has one of the biggest challeneges to overcome that he has never faced. You'd think this guy had seen everything right Well, not exactly. Syracuse will be having to rebuild this season after huge impact players are gone; Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, and Paul Harris all left for the NBA this offseason, leaving Boeheim and his staff with a project. The Orangemwn are always used to being atop the Big East, but this year may hold a different result for them.

Although those three are lost, Boeheim thinks he has the recruits and returning players to helphis team win. As always, Syracuse's recruting class will play a role in their season. Brandon Triche has a chance to see various minutes right away, due to the lack of players. They have all these pieces, but they are missing one very important piece; a point guard. The Orangemen lack a true PG, which would be the most important player on the court We'll have to see what Boeheim has up his sleeve Don't count on him being out of the Big East.. The Seton Hall Pirates have something this season that seems unheard of to coach Bobby Gonzalez and the Pirates This season, they will have depth-and lots of it. Eugene Harvey, Jeremy Hazell, Jordan Theodore and Lawrence give Gonzalez a plethora of different options with his guards.

The offseason didn't start out too promising for Gonzalez and the Pirates, with them failing to have any fall signees But, as the spring came, hope began to come. Memphis native Ferrakohn Hall, a 6-8 incoming freshman, will join a revitalized Pirates frontcourt Jamel Jackson will help add some punch to the backcourt. Coach Gonzalez has also had to deal with transfers from Seton Hall, but what coach doesn't They may be somewhat undersized, but Gonzalez knows this may be his most talented team during his tenure at Seton Hall This team could go either way. If the players can play to their ability, they will compete in the Big East, but if not, they could fall down. This is a reason why they are ranked 8 in my prediction..