Sure, this isn’t your father’s Big East but it still is a more than capable conference of getting four or more programs in the NCAA Tournament in any given year. 

Villanova has taken over the conference in past years and signed the best college prospect in Omari Spellman, a 6-foot-8 inside-out forward who can shoot the ball from deep, yet has the girth and strength in remaining a presence around the basket. The Wildcats aren’t alone in striking for a top-100 recruit where Butler, Marquette, St. John’s, Xavier, and Seton Hall each landed one or more prospects that are nationally recognized.

Joining Spellman in the frontcourt is Dylan Painter, a 6-foot-10 center from nearby Hershey, and the duo should grow nicely within the confines of Jay Wright’s offense. Known for going with smaller, four-guard offenses, the Wildcats receive some depth upfront and versatility as both big men can stretch out the defense with the deep ball.

Marquette lands the second best class as Steve Wojchiechowski has done a great job of finding top shelf talent along with top shelf fits for his Golden Eagles program. Brendan Bailey won’t enter the fold until the fall of 2018 as he will take a two year mission trip but the son of Thurl Bailey is quite the long-term asset already in the hopper. Next to him is one of the more complete scorers of the ball nationally, yet also one of the most slept on wings with Sam Hauser. The 6-foot-6 wing has some shades of Gordon Hayward to him and can be played from the 2-4 at the next level.

When it comes to depth, no one has brought in more quality pieces in this year’s class than Butler. Fully backed with a six-year contract, recruiting is a bit easier now that prospects have an understanding that Chris Holtmann will be in Indy for longer than one or two seasons. He has pieced together a quality staff that has signed four prospects this fall and Joey Brunk is the biggest name where the in-state recruit is a below the rim presence who can score facing up and with his back to the basket. He is surrounded on the perimeter by combo guard Howard Washington, quality shot-making guard Kamar Baldwin, and upside wing Henry Baddley.

Xavier isn’t too far behind as they bring in two ferocious and high-energy bigs who bring their hard hat to the floor each time out. Eddie Ekiyor will head to the 513 next month and sit out for the remained of the academic school year, while Tyrique Jones has signed and will head west to Cincinnati next fall. The duo is joined by a hard-nosed but productive combo guard in Quentin Goodin who is best on the ball in creating in the half-court.

DePaul has put together a three-man class with local talent’s Devin Gage, Algevon Eichelberger and Brandon Cyrus, all three of whom bring toughness in the half-court setting to the program. 

The depth is mounting throughout the conference and while Georgetown, St. John’s, Creighton, Providence and Seton Hall have struck just once in the early signing period, each bring in guys that fit the culture that has been laid out within each of their respective programs.

There are still a lot more announcements that will be made during the late signing period but it seems that prospects are coming around to playing in the ‘new’ Big East and because of it, Villanova should have a stronger fight on its hands in remaining atop of the conference pecking order.

Corey Evans’ take: Marquette went out and grabbed the closest thing that we have seen to a Kevin Love clone with Henry Ellenson last year, a guy that will be up for player of the year this season. In this year’s class, Wojo brought in two of the most polished perimeter scorers of the ball who showcase ideal size out top. After the regime change in Milwaukee following Buzz Williams’ departure to Virginia Tech, while the grace period was brief, it seems like Marquette will be a strong threat for years to come in the Big East Conference.

Biggest recruiting story: How does Chris Mullin and his staff in Queens fair in their first full calendar year on campus? Sure, they brought in a monster class in little time this past summer but with just Shamorie Ponds signed, who else can they get and sign in closing out the 2016 class?

BIG EAST CLASS RANKINGS

1. Villanova
2. Marquette
3. Xavier
4. Butler
5. St. John’s
6. Georgetown
7. Seton Hall
8. Creighton
9. DePaul
10. Providence

BIG EAST CLASS SUPERLATIVES