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Big East Basketball Preview

Last year's season champion: Syracuse (17-1 conference, 34-3 overall). Last year's tournament champion: Louisville (defeated Cincinnati, 50-44).

Last year's season champion:

Syracuse (17-1 conference, 34-3 overall).

Last year's tournament champion:

Louisville (defeated Cincinnati, 50-44).

Top returning players: Peyton Siva (Louisville, 5-11 senior guard, 5.6 apg.); Sean Kilpatrick (Cincinnati, 6-4 junior guard, 14.3 ppg.); Otto Porter (Georgetown, 6-8 sophomore forward, 9.7 ppg.); Jack Cooley (Notre Dame, 6-9 senior forward, 8.9 rpg.); Anthony Collins (South Florida, 6-1 sophomore guard, 9.0 ppg.).

Top newcomers: Steven Adams (Pittsburgh, 7-0 freshman center); DaJuan Coleman (Syracuse, 6-9 freshman forward); Kris Dunn (Providence, 6-3 freshman guard); Luke Hancock (Louisville, 6-6 junior forward); Trent Lockett (Marquette, 6-5 senior guard).

Outlook: Louisville, the preseason favorite, returns key players from last year's Final Four team, including point guard Peyton Siva and shot-blocking center Gorgui Dieng. . . . Syracuse lost big-time scoring in Philadelphia's Dion Waiters but merely reloaded and plugged in Michael Carter-Williams in Scoop Jardine's spot at the point. . . . Notre Dame has all five starters back from last season, including forward Jack Cooley, the Big East's most improved player. . . . Coming off a season when it reached the Sweet 16, Cincinnati has the shooting and toughness to challenge for the league crown. . . . Georgetown may have some early issues on offense but will show the type of defensive commitment that will keep the Hoyas in it. . . . Pittsburgh looks to rebound from an atypically poor season but needs to keep point guard Travon Woodall healthy. . . . Marquette lost two all-conference players but its pressing style and strong guard play will put the Golden Eagles right back in the mix. . . . Former 76ers guard Kevin Ollie takes over at Connecticut for a challenging season in which the Huskies will be ineligible for postseason play because of poor Academic Progress Rate scores.

- Joe Juliano

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