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	Wednesday, November 8 Big East breakdown
	ESPN.com HOW THEY'LL STACK UP EAST DIVISION CONNECTICUT: No Khalid, but plenty of young talent. ST. JOHN'S: A new cast of characters playing just off Broadway. VILLANOVA: Michael Bradley brings championship ring to Philly. ST. JOHN'S: A new cast of characters just off Broadway. BOSTON COLLEGE: Still learning to win, but Bell knows how to score ... MIAMI: ... on the other hand, 'Canes know how to win, just can't score. PROVIDENCE: At least Shabazz is back. Points still a premium. VIRGINIA TECH: All we can say is, "Welcome to the Big East." WEST DIVISION SETON HALL: New backcourt, may even be improved over last year. NOTRE DAME: Brey brings new style, but same old Murphy is key. GEORGETOWN: Last chance for seniors to make Big Dance. SYRACUSE: Half the offense is gone; more important, so is Etan's D. RUTGERS: Dahntay's departure will be felt, but depth may ease pain. PITTSBURGH: Keep an eye on Isaac Hawkins; the leg is 100 percent. WEST VIRGINIA: Still without a home court to play in ... long road awaits. Tuesday, Nov. 7 There has been a significant change in the balance of power in the Big East. Over the past few years there hasn't been much variation in the standings at the top of the conference. Syracuse, Connecticut, St. John's and Miami have been vying for the league title with very little competition from the rest of the conference. This year Seton Hall is one of a few former "have-nots" that appears to be making a serious run at the dominance of the big four. With a cast of young talent, headed by incoming freshman Eddie Griffin, joining a team that made the Sweet 16, they have a lot of pieces in place. The Pirates have the feel of a team that will seriously challenge for a spot in the Final Four. Another team that was a traditional power in the Big East, but has fallen on hard times lately, is Villanova. But the Wildcats will be improved this year with a team as deep as any in the country. Last year they had a great young nucleus in Aaron Matthews, Gary Buchanan and Andrew Sullivan. The Wildcats have added talent and will be back. UConn is not a team to be automatically counted out. The Huskies have always shown resilience. The core of players that led them to the NCAA Championship in 1999 is gone, but they will be a quality perimeter team and will use their quickness to stay in lots of ball games this year. ESPN.com All-Conference Team Guard: Troy Bell Sophomore, Boston College Guard: Darius Lane Junior, Seton Hall Forward: Troy Murphy Junior, Notre Dame Forward: Ricardo Greer Senior, Pittsburgh Center: Ruben Boumtje Boumtje Senior, Georgetown Player of Year ... Troy Murphy, Notre Dame His production means more to his team than any single player on any other team in the Big East. You have to be blind not to see what he brings to Notre Dame. He did everything last year, leading the league in scoring and rebounding, and returns having worked very hard on his physical condition. Also keep an eye on sophomore Troy Bell of Boston College. He has the talent to get the Eagles above .500 this year. And Ricardo Greer of Pittsburgh will finally receive the considerable attention his stellar play warrants. Introducing ... Eddie Griffin, F, Seton Hall He considered the NBA draft, but the Pirates will benefit immediately from his need to play a year or two in college. Best backcourt ... Seton Hall: Ty Shine and Darius Lane are a versatile tandem. They are very good defenders because Tommy Ammaker won't let them be otherwise. They will score and provide a one-two punch no other team in the conference can match. Best frontcourt ... Tie between Villanova and Notre Dame. Returning Big East Player of the Year Troy Murphy and David Graves will benefit from the addition of skilled wide-body Ryan Humphrey. Villanova counters with Aaron Matthews, Brooks Sales and Michael Bradley. Team on way up ... Notre Dame hasn't been in the NCAA Tournament since 1990. They were a bubble team that failed to get in last year and should get over the hump this season. Team on way down ... Miami has won more conference games than anyone other than UConn over the last four years. But Elton Tyler is out with academic problems, and without him the Hurricanes may not be able to score. Tournament tough ... NCAA: Seton Hall, Villanova, St. John's, UConn, Notre Dame, Georgetown. NIT: Syracuse, Boston College.		ALSO SEE ESPN.com Preseason Top 25 Bilas Breakdown: Notre Dame Bilas Breakdown: Seton Hall Bilas Breakdown: Connecticut School ties: Jarvis still fighting for his kids at St. John's Listen closely, UConn's new cast quietly confident about post-Khalid era Too good, too soon: Seton Hall's success ahead of schedule Notre Dame a nice place to play in Brey new world High Five: Murphy remains, while coaches come and go In the crosshairs: Troy Murphy Red Storm Cook-ing with new recipe this season Study Hall: Griffin's game still maturing with Pirates Katz postcard from New York Katz postcard from UConn AUDIO/VIDEO  Dick Vitale and his ESPN panel of experts discuss the Big East. RealVideo: 28.8

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