Big East preview: Eight should dance, two should waltz

College basketball is a fragile sport, and no league demonstrates that better than the Big East when you consider two of the three teams expected to compete for the conference title -- namely Georgetown and Marquette -- are only true challengers to Louisville because they have players who toyed with the idea of early entry into the NBA Draft before ultimately returning to school.

Rick Pitino is counting on sophomore point guard Edgar Sosa. (Getty Images)

Where would Georgetown be without Roy Hibbert?

Still in good shape, I admit, but probably not a Final Four hopeful.

And where would Marquette be without Dominic James?

Still OK, I admit, but probably not picked third in this league.

So the fact that Georgetown and Marquette got lucky where schools like Ohio State, Florida and Georgia Tech did not has John Thompson III and Tom Crean in a decent position to take another run at their second Final Fours. Good for them. But somewhere Paul Hewitt must be wondering why he couldn't enjoy a similar development, one where either Thaddeus Young or Javaris Crittenton called him up to say, "Hey coach, I think I'm gonna stick around another year."

Anyway, here's a look at the Big East.

It ranks second in the countdown of basketball leagues here at CBSSports.com

1. Louisville

The good: Terrence Williams, Edgar Sosa, Jerry Smith, Earl Clark and David Padgett comprise a roster that should have no problem being great. People forget the Cardinals weren't just good last season, they were 12-4 in the league, which is incredible. And that most everybody is back means big things are ahead.

The bad: For the Cardinals to truly reach their potential, they probably need Derrick Caracter to finally reach his. That's a gamble given Caracter's tendency to be unpredictable and unmotivated, but it would be a nice story if the heralded recruit finally turns into what he so clearly can be, i.e., a dominant college player and first-round NBA Draft pick.

The bottom line: Seems every time people start to think Rick Pitino is slipping, he ends up right back in the middle of a Final Four discussion. Make no mistake, these Cardinals could be good enough to win it all, though it'd be nice if they'd avoid the early bumps they encountered last season to ensure they are seeded properly to aid a deep NCAA Tournament run.

2. Georgetown

The good: Hibbert turned down millions of dollars to return to school, and Thompson might make millions more because of it. The 7-2 center gives the Hoyas a marquee anchor in the middle, and the supporting cast of Jonathan Wallace and DaJuan Summers -- plus a stellar freshmen class -- makes Georgetown one of the more talented teams in the country, again.

The bad: No question, the Hoyas are in good shape. But they did lose a star in Jeff Green, the player who carried them through the Big East Tournament and hit the game winner against Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament. Do you really not miss that kind of player?

The bottom line: Though I feel the loss of Green has been discounted by most, I'm on board in thinking the Hoyas are good enough to make another run to the Final Four. They have the coach and the players to do it, and that's a fabulous combination to take into any season.

3. Marquette

The good: James returned to school, which was a wise move for him and a great move for Marquette. Teamed with Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews, James gives the Golden Eagles one of the best three-guard tandems in the nation.

The bad: The accomplishments of the backcourt match the uncertainty in the frontcourt. Nobody taller than 6-5 averaged even nine points last season. And though freshman Trevor Mbakwe should help, the extent of his impact is still speculation.

The bottom line: Marquette has suffered back-to-back first-round losses in the NCAA Tournament -- first to Alabama, then to Michigan State. That's no way for the James-McNeal-Matthews trio to be remembered, so they must make a run at something significant at some point, and this is the season it'll probably happen.

4. Villanova

The good: Scottie Reynolds fought off the temptation to enter the NBA Draft following a terrific close to his freshman season that was highlighted by a 40-point performance in a win over Connecticut and a 29-point effort in a win over DePaul. That means the Wildcats have a proven, high-powered scorer on the roster, and he'll be surrounded by two splendid freshmen guards, namely Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher.

The bad: The absence of Curtis Sumpter leaves Villanova with question marks up front. Dante Cunningham is solid. But if there is a problem with this guard-heavy team it'll likely come around the paint and on the boards, and it won't help that experience isn't an asset given how there are no seniors on the roster.

The bottom line: I like talent, and Villanova has good young talent. If it adjusts early, the Wildcats can be good and cruise into the NCAA Tournament. But UConn proved last season that this isn't a great league in which to learn how to win, so it'll be interesting to see how quickly Jay Wright gets things going, or whether the inexperience is a tough hurdle to jump.

5. Pittsburgh

The good: Jamie Dixon has a solid core of returning players featuring Levance Fields, Sam Young, Mike Cook and Ronald Ramon. Add freshman DeJuan Blair to the mix, and the Panthers seem set to be just as steady as ever.

The bad: Blair is a supreme talent, but his inexperience showed in the Panthers' first exhibition. A Division II center scored 23 points against Blair and fellow newcomer Cassin Diggs, and that's an indication that plugging the hole left by Aaron Gray might not be simple.

The bottom line: Gray is just one of three important players missing, but there's no reason to think Pitt will slip much. Why? Because the Panthers just don't slip much.

6. Syracuse

The good: Donte' Green and Jonny Flynn are two of the better -- if not the two best -- freshmen in the Big East. Teamed with veterans like Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris, the Orange are capable of making up for what they lack in experience with pro-type talent.

The bad: Similar to Villanova, Syracuse will be relying on freshmen in key roles. Nobody doubts how good Green and Flynn can eventually be, but they need to be good early in order to avoid November losses in the NIT Season Tip-off against probable opponents like Ohio State and Texas A&M.

The bottom line: Outside of the NIT Season Tip-off, the Orange should have plenty of time to grow without seriously risking a defeat. The only true road game in the non-conference part of the schedule is at Virginia on Dec. 5, and then -- in a gift from the Big East schedule makers -- Syracuse starts league play with games against St. John's (home), South Florida (home), Cincinnati (away), West Virginia (away) and Rutgers (home). What that means is that the Orange won't play a Big East team projected to finish in the top half of this league until they host Villanova on Jan. 19. So they have more than two months from the start of the season until their first game against a Big East opponent projected to also make the NCAA Tournament, and that's a lot of time for Jim Boeheim to figure things out.

7. Notre Dame

The good: Luke Harangody and Rob Kurz return after combining to start 27 of 32 Big East games last season. Meanwhile, Kyle McAlarney is back in school and on the court after being dismissed last season following a marijuana arrest. Before the point guard left the team, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.4 assists as a sophomore.

The bad: Harangody's presence means the Irish have a forward who averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds last season. Problem is, his right hand is currently in a cast, and though he should be healthy within the next two weeks it can't be discounted that he's missing valuable practice time.

The bottom line: Notre Dame is one of the teams in this league that could finish as high as fourth or as low as 10th. After the top three, there isn't much difference in the next seven, which is why the middle of this league should have a good time pounding each other.

8. Connecticut

The good: All those newcomers who cost the Huskies last season are back, including Hasheem Thabeet. If the proverbial light comes on, then the 7-3 center can help Jeff Adrien, a proven bulldog of a post player who averaged 13.1 points and 9.7 rebounds last season.

The bad: Yes, the Huskies are experienced. But they are mostly experienced in losing, and it's fair to wonder if that'll just change so easily. Plus, this is a team that finished 12th in the Big East in field-goal percentage last season, and it's going to be the same guys taking the shots.

The bottom line: To me, this is the safe pick for the Huskies -- right in the middle, barely making the NCAA Tournament. Sure, they're talented enough to be better, but there's nothing in the way of real tangible evidence for anybody to be thrilled about what's coming, particularly in this league where finishing in the top five is a chore.

West Virginia sidelines should be exciting with Bob Huggins back in town. (Getty Images)

9. West Virginia

The good: West Virginia finally lured Bob Huggins back home, and in doing so the school has practically guaranteed basketball success. Say what you will about Huggins, but the man doesn't lose. And with four double-digit scorers back it's difficult to imagine him struggling too much.

The bad: Though four players who averaged at least 23 minutes per game last season are back, the best of the Mountaineers moved on. Frank Young has exhausted his eligibility, and that's 15.3 points per game that are missing.

The bottom line: I only have eight Big East teams in the NCAA Tournament, but Huggins is the reason the league could get nine. In the spirit of full disclosure, this was the last team I omitted from the Field of 65. So West Virginia certainly has a chance, and even if the Mountaineers miss the Big Dance this season it'll probably be the last time that happens for the foreseeable future.

10. Providence

The good: Three players who averaged at least 9.5 points last season are back, among them Weyinmi Efejuku. He's a 6-5 guard who averaged 14.1 points and 4.3 rebounds for this 18-win team.

The bad: The loss of Herbert Hill should be tough, and on both ends of the court. He averaged 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks last season, and though Curry should be the Friars' new leading scorer it should be noted that he's still sidelined with a broken foot.

The bottom line: The loss of Curry is huge, and how quickly he gets back and how effective he is upon returning will be the key to Providence's postseason hopes. There's no way the Friars can be much worse than this 10th-place prediction, but I can't see them being much better either.

11. Seton Hall

The good: Seton Hall's top five scorers are back, including Eugene Harvey and Brian Laing. Those two averaged 16.5 points each last season, and freshman Jeremy Hazell should add another scoring option.

The bad: How many experienced players taller than 6-5 do the Pirates have that averaged at least five points or four rebounds last season? None. And when that's the case there's a ceiling on how good a team can be.

The bottom line: Second-year coach Bobby Gonzalez is recruiting just like everybody thought he would, which is why he has a chance to succeed. But getting the kind of players to compete in this league is difficult, and it just doesn't happen this quickly.

12. Cincinnati

The good: The additions of Alvin Mitchell, Anthony McClain and Adam Hrycaniuk greatly increase Cincinnati's level of talent. Sophomore Deonta Vaughn gives UC a proven scorer to go with all those newcomers, and Marvin Gentry is another veteran in the backcourt.

The bad: It was devastating that Mike Williams suffered a torn Achilles just before the start of official practice. When it happened, the Bearcats lost the type of experienced big body they so dearly need, a 6-7 forward who sat out last season after transferring from Texas.

The bottom line: Mick Cronin is still in the middle of a massive rebuilding project. His recruiting successes suggest the Bearcats could be back to looking like the Bearcats of old in the next year or so, but this season is likely to be frustrating with so many inexperienced players.

13. DePaul

The good: Jerry Wainwright continues to recruit well to DePaul, and his freshman class is proof. Mac Koshwal and Dar Tucker are both elite prospects, and Koshwal has been so impressive this preseason on and off the court that he was named a co-captain, making him the first freshman in DePaul history to earn such an honor.

Poll Who wins the Big East? 9% Marquette   6% Villanova   21% Georgetown   27% Louisville   9% Pittsburgh   28% It will be someone else   Total Votes: 4948

The bad: The Blue Demons' top two scorers and rebounders -- Sammy Mejia and Wilson Chandler -- are gone. That leaves a huge hole in terms of proven production because that pair averaged 28.7 points and 12.0 rebounds last season.

The bottom line: There's little doubt DePaul is going to slip this season. That's what happens when you lose pros and replace them with young guys, but the solid recruits now in the program -- and the others on the way, like Class of 2008 point guard Jeremiah Kelley -- have DePaul headed in the correct direction.

14. Rutgers

The good: JR Inman gives the Scarlet Knights a proven scorer. He averaged 12.0 points last season and should benefit from the arrival of Corey Chandler, a local product who was considered one of the top point guards in the Class of 2007.

The bad: There are some decent guards in place, but the frontcourt is far from stacked. There are only three players on the roster taller than 6-7, and that's not a good way to win in a league with guys like Hibbert and Padgett.

The bottom line: Fred Hill is entering his second season, but he still doesn't have the talent to compete in this league. That could change with the Class of 2008, but for now there should be way more losses than wins.

15. St. John's

The good: Anthony Mason Jr. is back after averaging 11.9 points last season. And if that's not impressive on its own, consider that the junior averaged 17.4 points in his final five games, which included a 17-point performance in a win over Providence.

The bad: Outside of Mason and Eugene Lawrence, there just isn't much Big East talent on the roster. The off-season transfer of Avery Patterson, who averaged 10.4 points last season, didn't help things.

The bottom line: It's a shame the New York-area schools aren't succeeding in a league that revolves around New York. But the reality is that this is a game made of players, and without them it's tough to flourish.

16. South Florida

The good: I never knew it was possible to average a double-double in the Big East and still be a complete unknown, but Kentrell Gransberry has done a fine job of maintaining total anonymity. He tallied 15.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game last season, and his return should help Stan Heath's transition from Arkansas to South Florida go a tad bit smoother.

The bad: Outside of Gransberry, Heath didn't inherit much in the way of Big East-caliber players. Nobody else on the roster averaged double-digit points last season, and that's probably the main reason Robert McCullum had to be replaced.

The bottom line: Heath is a proven recruiter, but he has taken on a difficult job at USF. The good news is the fan base will be more patient. The bad news is that he's going to need all the patience in the world, as would anybody at USF who was trying to compete with Louisville, Syracuse, Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, etc.