As year three of the new-look Big East tips off, the conference looks the same in a few ways. In other ways, though, it’s not the same, and much is to be determined.
Your Phil of Hoops
Though a contender, Purdue will need to earn more relevance
Purdue has the makings of a contender in Big Ten play, but you wouldn’t know it from the conversations about the conference teams. The Boilermakers will have to earn their way to relevance despite their potential to contend.
New challenge ahead for Harvard
If Harvard’s great run through the Ivy League is to continue in 2015-16, the Crimson will have to get through quite a challenge this time around with a team that looks a little different.
Can this be the Army team that finally wins a Patriot League title?
Army was on a nice rise with its core up until Patriot League play last season, when they came back to earth. Now with a core of seniors, can this team be the one that finally takes home a Patriot League title?
Romar, Washington may successfully reboot once again
There has been some notable downward momentum at Washington recently, but there is more hope all the time that it could be reversed, and soon.
What Kentucky gave us will be forgotten, and that’s too bad
Most people are going to remember Kentucky in 2014-15 more for the one loss than the 38 wins and the journey that came with it. That’s the most unfortunate thing of all.
A happy resolution comes in Delaware
There has finally been a resolution to Monte Ross’ contract situation, and it’s a happy one for the Blue Hens’ head coach and his staff after the work they have done to rebuild the program.
Fran Dunphy deals with bubble uncertainty for the first time
Temple is firmly on the bubble after losing in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to SMU. It’s the first time in head coach Fran Dunphy’s storied career that his team has been in this situation.
It didn’t take Larry Brown long to change SMU
Larry Brown won’t be the head coach at SMU forever. As such, it’s a good thing he has already turned the program into one that can get better players and possibly win championships.
History shows the challenge ahead of East Carolina
East Carolina’s first season in the American Athletic Conference is complete. With that, the challenge they face as shown by their history looks clear, and they may have just the right coach to navigate it.
