College Basketball: Comparing Big East and the American

By Michael Schneid

The Big East as we all knew it is gone. The Big East still exists, but it's not the same. West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Louisville, and Cincinnati are gone. The old Big East football teams are now the American Athletic Conference. While the "Catholic 7" teams remain in the Big East and added some former mid majors. 

In case you lost track of which schools are in what conference, here is a list of the American and the Big East teams for the upcoming season.

American Teams: 

Louisville, Cincinnati, Uconn, Memphis, Temple, UCF, SMU, Houston, USF, Rutgers  

(Coming in 2014: Tulsa, Tulane, East Carolina, Leaving in 2014: Louisville and Rutgers)

Big East teams:  

Georgetown, Marquette, Butler, Xavier, Creighton, Villanova, St. John's, Seton Hall, Providence, Depaul

The American Athletic Conference has something no other conference has - the reigning, defending National Champions.

Louisville gives the American instant credibility. So do the four total NCAA tourney teams for 2013 - Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Temple. Uconn likely would have made it if they were eligible (APR issues put Uconn on probation for 2013).

With Memphis, the American also has something else no other conference can claim - two conference champions from a year ago (with Louisville).

The Big East is not without its strengths. Creighton, Xavier, and Butler have been the best or among the best in their respective conferences for most of the past two decades. Creighton has dominated the Missouri Valley, while Xavier has often been atop the Atlantic 10 and Butler often sat on top of the Horizon league.

Of the Big East holdovers, Georgetown and Marquette tied for the regular season title last season. Though both teams lost their respective best players to the NBA draft.

While the American had four tournament teams, the Big East had five - Georgetown, Marquette, Creighton, Butler, Villanova. And to give the Big East an edge, Creighton beat Cincinnati in the first round. And Marquette knocked off future rival Butler.

The NCAA tournament isn't the only postseason tournament and some schools measure success in various ways. Providence and St. John's represented the Big East in the NIT. While the American had no teams in the NIT, Houston played in  the CBI. So did future American team, Tulsa. Central Florida likely would have participated in postseason but, like Uconn, were also on probation.

The top of both leagues are strong but what about the middle? And bottom? You can produce a National champion, but can your bottom teams beat the bottom teams in other conferences? The American and Big East both have very strong teams and the future is bright for both conferences. But what about 2013?

After winning the national title, Louisville loses Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng. But they bring back Chane Behanan and Russ Smith. Kevin Ware is expected to make a full recovery from a gruesome leg injury suffered in the Elite 8. Freshman forward Montrezl Harrell should have an immediate impact. Luke Hancock and Wayne Blackshear are also potential impact players for the Cardinals.
 

Cincinnati has made tourney 3 years in a row and continues improving every year under coach Mick Cronin. The Bearcats have a solid nucleus around senior guard Sean Kilpatrick. Redshirt sophomore Shaq Thomas and freshmen Jermaine Lawrence (Rivals #26 overall, 5 stars) will both have major roles on this team as well. Expect Cincy to make their fourth straight tourney appearance and finish near the top of the American.

Uconn is looking to continue to grow under new coach Kevin Ollie. Ollie replaced legendary Jim Calhoun in 2013 and despite being ineligibile for the postseason, led the Huskies to a 20-10 (10-8) record. Uconn returns Shabazz Napier, arguably among the conferences best players. Ryan Boatwright and Omar Calhoun will join Napier in the three guard lineup. Tyler Olander returns down low, after a disappointing 2012-13 campaign. The key for Uconn this season and for the future will be the development of DeAndre Daniels, Niels Griffey, Kentan Facey, and Terrance Samuel.

Memphis once again won the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships. They are 29-3 in conference play the last two years, after a perfect 16-0 season in 2013. Memphis loses Adonis Thomas, Tarik Black, DJ Stephens, Antonio Barton, among others. A lot of losses. Joe Jackson and Shaq Goodwin return and they add highly touted recruit Kuran Iverson. Michael Dixon transfers from Missouri.

• Temple is an underrated addition, despite losing Khalif Wyatt. The Owls are always near the top of their conference and should at least make a run at another tournaent bid.
  
• UCF could have been tourney team in 2013 if not for probation.
• SMU is coached by Larry Brown and has a top 20 recruiting class, led by PG Keith Frazier, the highest ranked recruit ever to commit to the Mustangs.
• USF went to Sweet 16 is 2012 and despite a down year last year should be back in the mix this season led by Anthony Collins and Victor Rudd. Houston won 20 games last season and with a young, improving roster could be a threat in the middle of the conference.
• Rutgers has a new coach with some Rutgers blood in him and an NBA background, Eddie Jordan. Jordan has done a good job of salvaging what could have been a mass exodus of players but managed to keep the incoming recruiting class in tact. 

 

In 2014, the American will add East Carolina, Tulane, and Tulsa. ECU is coached by former Auburn coach Jeff Lebo. Tulsa was in the CBI in 2013 and Tulane went 20-15 in 2013.

Meanwhile in the Big East...

Loss of Otto Porter hurts Georgetown. Markel Starks becomes the go-to guy for the Hoyas and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera becomes a go-to guy as well, in his sophmore season.
 

Davante Gardner's return to Marquette helps, but losing Vander Blue will hurt. Blue declared early for the NBA draft. So Todd Mayo will need to step up as a scorer for the GOlden Eagles.

Butler, Xavier, Creighton are all welcome additions and teams that have exceeded the "cinderella" tag a long time ago.

• Creighton has arguably the best player in the conference in Doug McDermott and because of that will be competitive in every game.
• Xavier had a down year in 2013, but should be back in the mix for a tournament bid. Semaj Christon and Dee Davis might be the conference's best backcourt.
• Butler replaces Brad Stevens, who shockingly left the Bulldogs for the Boston Celtics. The loss of Stevens along with Andrew Smith and Rotnei Clark could mean a rebuilding year at Hinkle Fieldhouse

St John's had an up and down 2012 but with Steve Lavin back full-time and recruiting strong, and many of his players returning for 2013, StJ should make another run at the tournament. Chris Obekpa and Jakarr Sampson gives the Johnnies a very strong frontcourt

Providence made big strides last season and should continue to improve with the conference's leading scorer Bryce Cotton. Sidiki Johnson, a transfer from Arizona, will be eligible after sitting last season out.
  

Villanova was one and done in the tournament last year. The Wildcats need some big time scoring help to get back there this year.

Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young are talented but Depaul hasn''t been relevant since going from Conference USA to the Big East. Now with the new Big East, Depaul has veterans to help guide them out of the cellar.

Seton Hall has a fine trio in Fuqan Edwin, Brian Oliver, and Aaron Crosby and should be competitive in the middle of the pack.

Both conferences have their strengths and their weaknesses. But neither conference has a push over team and neither conference has a team that will simply run away with the championship, as I think Cincy, Memphis, and Uconn can give Louisville a run for their money.

The Big East as we know it is no more. But this is a good thing for basketball fans as we have two new, exciting conferences that provides even more opportunities for teams.
 

Teams like Xavier, Creighton, Butler, Memphis are in bigger conferences, which means more exposure and money for the programs. Teams like Cincinnati, St. John's, and Providence that have been stuck in the middle of their conferences have a chance to be compete for conference championships.

While the American has it's top teams and there is some separation, the Big East is certainly wide open and should be highly competitive and fun this fall.

Which conference do YOU think will be the best? Share your thoughts in the comments section or tweet us @msschneid with your opinion.