This is the best conference in college basketball from a DFS standpoint this year and it isn’t even that close. This conference features some of the nation’s best scorers (Howard, Powell), most diverse wings (Diallo, Marshall), and some fun up-and-coming bigs (Yurtseven, Robinson-Earl). The league isn’t exactly known for its defensive prowess either. Take all of that and sprinkle in a little Gus Johnson on FS1 and we are in @CBB_DFS heaven.
Pre-season All-Big East DFS Team
Below we have a team by team breakdown through a DFS lens. Yes, we do have the teams listed in the order we think they will finish in the Big East.
You Need To Be #HallIn This Season
We are #HallIn here at CBB-DFS.com as you can tell, but it is not without good reason. This team loses just one starter and returns the NCAA’s most electrifying player in Myles Powell. While Myles will get the attention, you have to realize that Sandro Mamukelashvili, Myles Cale, and Quincy McKnight all played major minutes last season. Mamu is a fan favorite, while Cale and McKnight stat stuff where needed. Finding out who will be replacing Micahel Nzei down low will be the only early season question mark, but he was a 4500 player when on a slate, so they aren’t replacing much.
Our favorite Hall plays for 2019-2020
Myles Powell,
G, Sr.
This alpha dog is an elite scorer who has shown the ability to outscore entire opponents in a half. He’s not all points either averaging 4 rpg, 3 apg, and 2 spg last season.
Sandro Mamukelashvili,
F, Jr.
Made a huge leap as a sophomore going from 9 to 29 minutes per game. Needs to shoot it better, but could average a double-double this year after 8.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg in 2018-19.
Ikechukwu Obiagu,
F, So.
“Ike” Started 14 games as a freshman for Florida State before transferring last season. Now eligible, this 7-footer has big time defensive and rebounding potential.
Jay Wright “Rebuild” Won’t Take Long
Jay Wright has proven himself to be a great coach, but he is not immune to a stinker season. With no seniors on their team, and 35.1 points per game absent with the graduation of Eric Paschall and Phil Booth, Villanova will look a lot different in 2019-2020. Never-the-less the Wildcats don’t drop lower than 2nd in a conference they have dominated for the better part of Wright’s tenure. Rebuilding is more like retooling, and this new core will be strengthened by a pair of consensus top 20 freshmen Bryan Antoine and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Antoine’s debut will be delayed as he gets healthy, but Robinson-Earl could have a big time impact immediately in the paint. Come conference time, this duo paired with underclassmen that logged major minutes a year ago, should make for a deep and competitive squad. Nova will be just fine.
Our favorite Nova plays for 2019-2020
Collin Gillespie,
G, Jr.
Averaged 11 ppg and shot 38% from deep. Only veteran ball handler on the roster so usage will be there. Gillespie has shown the ability to get hot (46 DK on 2/3/19 – roughly 9x)
Jermaine Samuels,
F, Jr.
Samuels played 30+ minutes in the last 8 games of the year for the Cats and responded averaging 13.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg. He’s aggressive on the glass and will contest shots.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl,
F, Fr.
This consensus top 20 recruit spent is summer overseas on the FIBA USA U19 team. All he did was start every game and finish 2nd on the team in scoring for the 7-0 World Cup Champs
I Don’t Want No Scruggs… Wait I Do!
This is a team that was 11-13 on February 9thand nearly played themselves into the NCAA tournament if it weren’t for an overtime loss to Villanova in the Big East Tournament. In total the squad won 8-of-their-last-11 games. This year they return their top 4 leading scorers who all averaged over 11 ppg. Keep an eye out for do all forward Naji Marshall as has he has a chance to be special if he adds a little maturity to his game. He showed flashes toward the end of last year. Only Providence’s Alpha Diallo had a more impressive all-around stat line in the Big East:
| Name | PPG | RPG | APG | STL | MIN |
| Alpha Diallo | 16.0 | 8.1 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 35.5 |
| Naji Marshall | 14.7 | 7.2 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 35.9 |
Our favorite X plays for 2019-2020
Naji Marshall,
F, Jr.
Turned the ball over too much and shot the ball horrendously last year (< 40% from 2; < 30% from 3), but there is no doubting the talent. Naji is a sleeper Big East POY candidate.
Tyrique Jones,
F, Sr.
He is the best offensive rebounder in conference and essentially a 4-year starter for the Musketeers. Tyrique has improved in every statistical category each season at Xavier.
Paul Scruggs,
G, Jr.
He is a DFS point eater who can go on a heater. Ancillary stats always keep his floor high. Scruggs had 28 points, 11 boards, 7 dimes in the Big East Semifinal versus Villanova.
Hoyas have a Ton of Talent
Last season the Hoyas boasted a talented big man named Jesse Govan and surrounded him with three impressive freshman in James LeBlanc at forward, and guard James Akinjo, and Mac McClung. The core improved from .500 to 19-14 in Patrick Ewing’s second season as head coach. Now, Govan is gone, but he is replaced by NC State transfer Omer Yurtseven who was racking up double doubles in ACC play back in 2017. Akinjo is a future pro and McClung is lightning in a bottle. LeBlanc just continues to improve and do all the athletic dirty work down low. There is a lot to like here on this Georgetown team. Talent is assembled, now we will find out how Ewing is as a coach.
Our favorite GU plays for 2019-2020
James Akinjo,
PG, So.
The toughness of the Hoyas comes from Akinjo. As a freshman he led the Big East in assist (5.2 apg), while scoring 13.4 ppg. He is poised for a big sophomore campaign.
Mac McClung,
G, So.
He is your classic boom or bust play who can break a slate on any given night. If he can find a more consistent shooting stroke this year he can be DFS gold.
Omer Yurtseven,
F, Jr.
He sat out last year due to transfer rules, but in 2017 was dropping 29 point games and double-doubles in ACC play. He immediately slides into the departing Jesse Govan role.
Elite Team Scoring Ability – The End
10-4 down the stretch last year and as much offensive fire power as anyone in the nation, but I just don’t know where the defense, rebounding, and rim protection is coming from on this team. That all means that Creighton games should be DFS gold. High over/unders, fast tempos, and a feast for opposing big men. The Jays projected center is currently Jacob Epperson who has played just 21 games in 2 seasons due to injury. After that it’s a 6-7 sophomore grad transfer from Idaho State. McDermott is no stranger to playing small ball, but some outlets have the Jays as a top 25 team. We just don’t see it.
Our favorite Blue Jay plays for 2019-2020
Ty-Shon Alexander,
G, Jr.
Banged up toward the end of last year this guys still remained the #1 option for the Jays. Now back to full healthy and with his younger teammates now a year more seasoned Ty-Shon should have another solid year.
Marcus Zegarowski,
G, So.
After becoming a starter in January the Fr. PG helped the Jays go 10-4 down the stretch. He is as consistent as they come and typically affordable. He also shoots 40% from deep and can push double digit assists on a given night.
Mitch Ballock
G, Jr.
He’s the defact-o stretch 4 and can light it up from deep (42% last year). Also someone on this team will have to rebound, and Ballock is the leading returning rebounder at 4.4 boards per game as season ago.
Cooley Avoids Hot Seat with Strong Season
Providence can finish just about anywhere in this conference 1-8 so it is a hard to team slot. Injuries are currently pushing this team down many of the conference preview list. However, this is (if healthy) arguably the best team Cooley has had since the 2016 squad of Kris Dunn, Ben Bentil, and Rodney Bullock. Alpha Diallo, who withdrew from the NBA draft, is a legit Big East player of the year candidate. David Duke and AJ Reeves earned a load of experience on the wing as freshmen and Nate Watson continued to get better inside last year. Watson is currently dealing with a sprained MCL that we at CBB_DFS are monitoring closely. Assuming he is ready in a few weeks, the one hole in the Friars attack left was at point guard and they seem to have been filled it with grad transfer Luwane Pipkins from UMass. Pipkins is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Our favorite Friar plays for 2019-2020
Alpha Diallo,
G, Sr.
Alpha was exactly that, the Friars alpha, leading them in points, rebounds and assists a year ago. He is an elite DFS option any time he is on a slate. Diallo is basically match-up proof thanks to his all around game.
Nate Watson,
F, Jr.
The 6-10 center became a regular starter in January and ended the year as the Friars’ second leading scorer and rebounder behind only Diallo. With increased usage should come increased production.
Luwane Pipkins,
G, Sr
Pipkins was a usage monster at UMass where he averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists last season. As a grad transfer he’ll provide exactly what Providence was missing last season – steady PG play.
How Will Howard do it All?
Last season Marquette took huge hit when Joey and Sam Hauser announced they were transferring. The pair were the team’s 2nd and 3rd leading scorers and top two rebounders. Their departure puts even more weight on the shoulders of Markus Howard, who is coming off an amazing junior season. Howard averaged 25 ppg the highest among returning players in the Big 6 conferences. Who will pick up the other 25 ppg left behind by the Hauser Bros.? Could it be a few transfers coming in? Koby McEwin (Utah State) and Jayce Johnson (Utah) seem like they could provide an immediate impact.
Our favorite Marquette plays for 2019-2020
Markus Howard,
PG, Sr.
Howard does most of his damage on the pick and roll where he is incredibly proficient. Expect him to routinely be 9-10k in DFS. This years Carsen Edwards.
Theo John,
F, Jr.
Complete effort player who lead the Big East in blocks last year. Should continue to see minutes increase as his offensive game still needs to catch up to his defensive abilities.
Koby McEwen,
G, Jr.
Volume shooter for Utah State two years ago averaged 16-5-3 per game. It’ll be interesting to see how he plays alongside Howard as both command high usage rates.
The Butler. In the Gymnasium. With a Brick
For the first time in four years, Butler missed the NCAA’s but the team still has high hopes heading into the 2019-2020 season. Kamar Baldwin returns for his senior season to put a bow on his stellar Bulldog career. The second team all-Big East player averaged 17 ppg a season ago. Also returning is wing Sean McDemott (9.5 ppg) and forward Jordan Tucker (9.7 ppg). Tucker, a Duke transfer from two seasons ago never got into a rhythm last season after joining the team in January. With a full year in Indy under his belt, he could be a breakout candidate from a DFS standpoint this year. Finally, keep and eye on freshman guard Khalif Battle. He could easily step into the Paul Jorgensen (11.7 ppg) role vacated by the senior.
Our favorite Bulldog plays for 2019-2020
Kamar Baldwin,
G, Sr.
Baldwin took 28% of the teams shots a year ago, and this shouldn’t change in 2019-20. Baldwin will need to be more efficient this year offensively, but you can’t deny his usage (28%)
Jordan Tucker,
F, Jr.
Tucker, a former Dookie, is an athletic 4 who can do a lot of things DFS players love. That being said he never truly played up to his potential in his initial transfer season.
Khalif Battle,
G, Fr.
This 4-star, top 100 prospect is considered the highest rated recruit in school history. His brother Tyus entered the NBA draft this past summer after 3 seasons at Syracuse.
Leitao Quietly Becoming Consistent In Chicago
The Blue Demons will have a fun DFS team in 2019-2020. While they lost a ton as pointed out above in the DFS Nugget, Paul Reed returns after a brilliant sophomore season. Reed will be joined by highly touted freshman and top 60 recruit Romeo Weems as well as former Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois Charlie Moore, who transfers in from Kansas. Moore’s eligibility was a huge boost to the program’s outlook when granted earlier this month. While it may be a down year for the Blue Demons from a record standpoint this is a team that is clearly headed in the right direction.
Our favorite DePaul plays for 2019-2020
Paul Reed,
F, Jr.
Beast in the paint and a consistent double double threat. Will need to do even more with the departures of Olujobi, Strus, and Cain.
Romeo Weems,
F, Fr.
Mr. Basketball for the state of Michigan is headed to Chicago where he will get a chance to play right away. Weems is a skilled inside out player.
Devin Gage,
G, Jr.
Red-shirt sophomore has a ton of experience and needs to fill large holes left in the back court. Needs to shoot it better in 2019-2020.
Anderson Era Begins
This is a team that went to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, then had their coach, Chris Mullin, abruptly step down. Now Mike Anderson comes to town with his pace and pressure and will look to establish his style for the Red Storm going forward. This is a rebuild as only 2-of-5 starters return from last years 21 win team. Those two players were key pieces and should provide some DFS fireworks all year long in a faster system. L.J. Figueroa (14.4 ppg) and Mustapha Herron (14.6 ppg) will be in store for big years with high usage and minimal restrictions on their games. Anderson will lean on them as the transition begins.
Our favorite Red Storm plays for 2019-2020
LJ Figueroa,
F, Jr.
L.J. played a stretch 4 last year and averaged 6.3 rpg in that role. He’ll be leaned on down low again this season as this St. John’s team is short on size and expierence.
Mustapha Herron,
G, Sr.
In his first non-JUCO season, Heron was an absolute stat stuffer last year averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steal per game. He should improve on all of those numbers this season.
Josh Roberts,
F, So.
Roberts is 6’9″ and appeared in 19 contests last year with one start. He is the only one of size returning this year and will be leaned on right away.
