This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
What does the Big East have to do so that it is mentioned with the other five "power" conferences? Last season, the Big East sent the highest percentage of any conference to the NCAA Tournament (7 of 10 teams) and even a 11-seed without its starting point guard was able to make it to the Elite Eight (Xavier). The conference now boasts two Dream Teamers as coaches (Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing). Perhaps it is Villanova's domination since its reformation as a basketball-only conference that causes people to poo-poo the 10-team league. In 2017-18, the Wildcat run at the top should be challenged by Seton Hall and Xavier, both of whom return most of the significant players from last year's quality squads.
Top Three Players
Angel Delgado (F)
Delgado has been named as a "top three player" in this space for the last three years. Even if he hadn't taken a big step forward in production as a junior, the 6-foot-10 postman might have made the list because of his ability to rebound. Delgado did not see a significant dip in field goal percentage even with a nice jump in shot attempts. He averaged 15.2 points and 13.1 rebounds. The native of the Dominican Republic also doubled his previous assist average with 2.2 dimes. Unless Delgado further improves his shooting range, he might not be able to improve upon last year's stats. If the Pirates can win the Big East, Delgado could be the conference's Player of the Year.
What does the Big East have to do so that it is mentioned with the other five "power" conferences? Last season, the Big East sent the highest percentage of any conference to the NCAA Tournament (7 of 10 teams) and even a 11-seed without its starting point guard was able to make it to the Elite Eight (Xavier). The conference now boasts two Dream Teamers as coaches (Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing). Perhaps it is Villanova's domination since its reformation as a basketball-only conference that causes people to poo-poo the 10-team league. In 2017-18, the Wildcat run at the top should be challenged by Seton Hall and Xavier, both of whom return most of the significant players from last year's quality squads.
Top Three Players
Angel Delgado (F)Delgado has been named as a "top three player" in this space for the last three years. Even if he hadn't taken a big step forward in production as a junior, the 6-foot-10 postman might have made the list because of his ability to rebound. Delgado did not see a significant dip in field goal percentage even with a nice jump in shot attempts. He averaged 15.2 points and 13.1 rebounds. The native of the Dominican Republic also doubled his previous assist average with 2.2 dimes. Unless Delgado further improves his shooting range, he might not be able to improve upon last year's stats. If the Pirates can win the Big East, Delgado could be the conference's Player of the Year.
Trevon Bluiett (G) 
Bluiett also claimed a spot on this last year (along with the now departed Josh Hart) and he did nothing to make me look silly. The 6-6 senior pushed the Musketeers to the Elite Eight by providing 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. While he did not hit nearly 40 percent of his 3-pointers as he did as a sophomore, Bluiett converted 37.1 percent of his long-range shots. Xavier and Seton Hall will be the prime contenders to knock Villanova out of the top spot in the Big East. Bluiett already averaged a heavy 35.1 minutes, so there may not be too much room for improvement in his stat line, but he is a dependable producer.
Marcus Foster (G) 
After taking a year off upon his transfer from Kansas State, one might have thought that the 6-3 Foster might be rusty in his first year with the Bluejays. The guard scored at least 15 points in his first eight games and did not slow down throughout the season. When starting point guard Mo Watson was lost with a torn ACL, Foster stepped up his scoring, including a pair of 30-point games. Creighton struggled without Watson (losing seven of its last 12 games), but the experience may have benefited Foster who learned his limits in offensive facilitation. No one expects Davion Mintz or Kaleb Joseph to be Watson. Foster should be among the best scorers in the Big East again in 2017-18.
Top Newcomers
Omari Spellman (F)
Coming into 2016-17, the 6-9 Spellman was expected to fill some of the Daniel Ochefu-sized hole in the Wildcat lineup as a freshman. The team's top recruit did not complete his eligibility requirements in time and had to sit out the season, though he still has four years of eligibility and was able to practice with the team. Per the team's usual, Villanova is stacked at guard (Jalen Brunson, the now-healthy Phil Booth) and wing (Donate DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Jermaine Samuels), but will rely on Spellman and freshman Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree along with returning players Eric Paschall and Dylan Painter to provide offensive balance and rim protection.
Marvin Clark Jr. (F) 
Despite not playing much in two years with Michigan State, the 6-7 Clark had moments of promise. Clark came off coach Tom Izzo's bench to provide athleticism and defense. Yet, he wanted a bigger role on a bigger stage, and headed to the Big Apple to play for Mullin. Marcus LoVett and Shamorie Ponds will continue to command the lion's share of the Red Storm offense, but Clark seems like a more accomplished offensive player than the average Bashir Ahmed and defensive stalwart Kassoum Yakwe. As a sophomore in 2015-16, Clark hit 42.3 percent (11-of-26) of his 3-pointers and could get plenty of open shots as opposing defenses try to contain the guards.
Kerem Kanter (F)
In three years with UW-Green Bay, Kanter did not play a great deal more than his brother Enes did at Kentucky (where he did not play at all). The 6-10 center played fewer than 10 minutes per game in his first two years with the Phoenix before having a modest breakout last year. Before jumping to Xavier as a graduate transfer, Kanter provided 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 19.1 minutes. The Musketeers have Sean O'Mara and rising sophomore Tyrique Jones in the frontcourt, but Kanter could well lead the team in rebounding like RaShid Gaston did last year. He closed his junior season with four double-doubles in his last five games.
A Pair of Sleepers
Joey Brunk (C)
I like to go deep into the REM cycle for my sleepers. The Bulldogs should be another team that can challenge Villanova if they can solve the question marks at point guard and center. While junior Nate Fowler would be the sensible replacement for Andrew Chrabascz in the pivot, I have a feeling that Brunk will be the more productive of the Bulldog centers. The 6-11 Indianapolis native only appeared in seven games before missing the rest of the season with a family medical issue. Brunk was one of the top recruits from Indiana coming into last season and new coach LaVall Jordan should be able to take advantage of his size and skill.
Austin Grandstaff (G) 
Once again, expectations for the Blue Demons are very limited. The team returns Eli Cain who scored 15 points or more 10 of his first 11 games last season, but cooled off in Big East play. Cain should once again be the focus of the DePaul offense, but he may get some help via Grandstaff. The 6-4 junior played at Ohio State as a freshman before stopping at Oklahoma as a transfer. He did not play as a Sooner, but it isn't often that a player who was good enough to be recruited by the Buckeyes and Oklahoma ends up with DePaul. With Billy Garrett on the coaching staff after a four-year career, there are plenty of shot opportunities. Don't be surprised if Grandstaff is the man taking those shots.
