College basketball 2022-23 Big East betting guide

The Big East has a big question this season ...  it is not about Creighton. The question is what do we expect from Villanova now that coach Jay Wright has retired?

The Wildcats were wildly successful under the HOFer and they have brought back a long-time assistant in Kyle Neptune to replace him. Will it work?

The Big East is a strong league from top to bottom. Here’s a quick look at each team coming into the season.

Big East Futures (to win the regular season)

Creighton Bluejays +125

Creighton is the team with all of the buzz from this offseason. They are returning the Big East DPOY in big man Ryan Kalkbrenner and have an emerging backcourt in sophomores in Ryan Nembhard and Trey Alexander. Baylor Scheierman was a transfer that every program in the country wanted. Now they just have to get it done on the floor.

Villanova Wildcats +220

There was never going to be a good time for Wright to step away and this year it is magnified with super seniors Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels gone too. There is still a lot of talent though, especially when Justin Moore returns. Wing Cam Whitmore should be the best frosh in the conference. Doubt the Wildcats at your peril.

Connecticut Huskies +490

UConn lost a ton this offseason but big man Adama Sanogo might be the best player in the league. With him in the middle and Andre Jackson on the wing, the Huskies should be one of the best defensive teams in the league. The offense will need to develop over the course of the season. 

Xavier Musketeers +650

Everywhere coach Sean Miller goes, he wins. He inherits a roster at Xavier with a chance to do just that. It is a veteran group too, featuring big man Jack Nunge. He does not have to teach them how to play, just push them over the top. A nice payoff too.

St. John’s Red Storm +2600

Transfer PG Andre Curbelo is hoping to find his groove in New York City. The Illinois transfer has the swag but the Red Storm needs his game to improve and meld well with that of Posh Alexander. If they can it going they will once again lead the conference in scoring and might get a few more wins too. 

Marquette Golden Eagles +9500

I like coach Shaka Smart a lot and he had a nice debut season with the Golden Eagles. They lose way too much to match what they did a year ago though. This team could fall to the bottom of the standings this season. 

Providence Friars +9500

The Friars had a fantastic regular season last year, winning that title. This year’s hopes are pinned on PG Jared Bynum elevating his game and forming a potent backcourt with transfer Noah Locke. They are lacking the inside presence that Nate Watson gave them the last few seasons. 

Butler Bulldogs +10000

Butler has also brought in a veteran coach with Thad Matta getting back into the game. There is a massive amount of roster turnover and it is not quite clear what he has to work with right now. They should compete hard though. 

Georgetown Hoyas +42000

It has not really worked with Patrick Ewing as the coach at his alma mater. It is hard to know what to make of this program with so many players coming and going. Qudus Wahab is making the rare return trip in college hoops. At the very least, he and fellow transfer Akok Akok should make sure they are not pushed around inside. 

DePaul Blue Demons +42000

Tony Stubblefield was able to get the Blue Demons out of the basement in the Big East last season but that was mostly because the Hoyas were determined to live there. That was with Javon Freeman-Liberty and his 20+ppg though. It is hard to have much confidence they can stay out of last again. 

Best Bet - Creighton - I hate to go chalk but they are the team with continuity (on and off the court) and talent. 

Best Sleeper - Xavier - The reason they have a new coach is that they have been falling short but Miller has enough talent to crash the party in year 1.