With the Louisville Cardinals set to take the floor for real on November 17, the wait is nearly over. While we typically focus solely on our squad, Slick Rick’s Louisville Cardinals, we would like to take some time and educate everyone about the other squads the Cards will face this season, notably in conference play. So today, we preview the mighty Big East conference, Pinkie style.

Last year, the Big East conference was a legit beast of a league. There were as many as eight teams ranked at one time and almost every week there was a game with significant NCAA Tournament implications. Our squad, the Louisville Cardinals, took the regular season and tournament in 2008-2009. The conference also has major respect from the NCAA Tournament Committee as the Cards secured the #1 overall seed as a result of their performance in conference play.

This year, due to the loss of many great players, the league will probably take a step back. And while it will most likely not be as beastly as last season, the conference will still produce several NCAA Tournament squads. Here is last year’s final regular season standings:

1. Louisville 28-5 (16-2)
2. Pittsburgh 28-4 (15-3)
3. Connecticut 27-4 (15-3)
4. Villanova 26-7 (13-5)
5. Marquette 24-9 (12-6)
6. Syracuse 26-9 (11-7)
7. West Virginia 23-11 (10-8)
8. Providence 19-13 (10-8)
9. Notre Dame 18-14 (8-10)
10. Cincinnati 18-14 (8-10)
11. Georgetown 16-14 (7-11)
12. Seton Hall 17-15 (7-11)
13. St. John’s 16-17 (6-12)
14. South Florida 9-22 (4-14)
15. Rutgers 11-21 (2-16)
16. DePaul 9-24 (0-18)

This year I think we will see several teams from the middle of the pack rising up closer to the top. As we all know, the Cards lost two lottery picks, as well as their best defensive player in Andre McGee. Those pieces will not be easily replaced. Pittsburgh and Connecticut lost key players as well, therefore the coaches’ preseason pick to win the Big East conference is Villanova.

The Wildcats from Philly, coached by the best dressed coach in America, Jay Wright, return nine players from their 2009 Final Four squad. Led by potential All-American point guard Scottie Reynolds, ‘Nova retains 62% of their scoring and 47% of it’s rebounding from last year.

Junior guard Corey Fisher, the reigning Big East Sixth Man of the Year, looks to expand his role this season as the Wildcats look to capture the conference crown. The Wildcats do lose Dante Cunningham, who was their main post presence for ‘Nova in 2008-2009. While he was a big time performer for them, he only really had one good season, his last, and I think can replaced.

West Virginia looks to be another strong contender for the title as Huggy Bear has a strong squad. West Virginia brings back four starters, including leading scorer Da’Sean Butler and the ultra talented Devin Ebanks. We know Huggy Bear can coach, so look out for them mountain folk from Morgantown.

Before I try to predict the order of finish in the conference race, here are my predictions for some individual honors:

Player of the Year – Scottie Reynolds (Villanova)

My pick for Big East POY

Obviously, there are several players who could win this award. However, I feel Reynolds is the best point guard in the Big East and his impact on his squad will be greater than anyone else.

Coach of the Year – Jay Wright (Villanova)

Coach Wright obviously stunned upon hearing the news of being named my pick for Coach of the Year

The reason is quite simple, the man is awesome. He’s a great coach, but more importantly, he’s the smoothest coach in America. I love this guy. Plus, I think his squad will be strong, so there you go.

Rookie of the Year – Peyton Siva (Louisville)

This kid is going to be great

This kid is legit. Siva will see serious minutes at the point guard position and I think be a major factor in Louisville’s season. I think the Cards will surprise some people with their season and I figure Siva to be a major reason why.

Here we go, my predicted 2009-2010 Big East Conference order of finish:

1. West Virginia
2. Villanova
3. UCONN
4. Louisville

I think ‘Nova and West Virginia will fight it out for the top spot, but I think West Virginia will walk away with the regular season title. Huggy Bear has a lot of talent and I think WVU has more of an inside game than ‘Nova and that will prove to be the difference.

Coach Huggy Bear did a celebratory flex when he heard the Pinkie picked his squad to win the Big East

Connecticut has the talent to make a run at the title, but I think the loss of Hasheem Thabeet will be a lot to overcome. I think Louisville will surprise people by the time conference play begins and make a run. Of course, I am biased as they are my squad.

5. Syracuse
6. Georgetown
7. Pittsburgh
8. Cincinnati

These at 5-8 squads are talented and could definitely make a run for the top tier. Syracuse loses Jonny Flynn, but returns almost everyone else. Georgetown essentially brings everyone back. Greg Monroe is legit and will probably be a lottery pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Pitt will take a step back this year, but will still win more than they lose. Cincinnati is intriguing. They bring in highly touted freshman Lance Stephenson, but it is widely considered their year to ‘arrive’. As a general rule, everytime a team is tagged as ‘arriving’, I generally believe they are one year away.

9. Notre Dame
10. Seton Hall
11. Marquette
12. Providence

Notre Dame is a confusing team…actually, no they aren’t. They score a lot of points and play no defense. However, Pinkie favorite Norm Peterson Luke Harangody returns for his 18th season of college basketball, so at least we get to watch him some more. Seton Hall has some talent, but Bobby Gonzalez isn’t that great of a coach.

Don't worry Norm, Earl won't be back to cram it on your head this year

13. St. John’s
14. South Florida
15. Rutgers
16. DePaul

These teams get to play in the Big East, that’s about all I can say for them. Seriously though, I’m just not sold on their coaches and therefore, cannot view them as competitive. For these teams I say this, showing up is half the battle.

It should be another great year for Big East basketball. My predictions will probably be no better than 25% accurate, but who cares, it’s finally basketball season and that’s never a bad thing.