The Panthers are looking to put together a much better season than they had last year when they were held back by two key injuries to Cook and Fields. They start the season ranked fifth, which shows how highly regarded their returning core is, and they should play much better in the Big East regular season.

Providence Friars

Coach: Keno Davis
2007-2008 Record: 6-12 (15-16)
AP Rank: NR
Coaches: NR

Overview
The Friars welcome last year’s coach of the year Coach Davis to their team in hopes of seeing their basketball program turn around. After finishing with a Big East record of 6-12 and an overall record under .500, the Friars are just looking for improvement in their performance more than an outright victory of the Big East.

The Friars did not lose any starters, so we will see if the coaching change really makes a difference or if a new recruiting class will be what makes the team.

The Good
Last year the Friars were without Sharaud Curry for basically the whole season after he injured himself in their first game. In his prior season with the Friars, however, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 assists, 1.3 steals per game, and hit 90 percent of attempted free throws. Curry has recovered and is set to start this season.

Other players returning to the lineup are seniors Jeff Xavier and Weyinmi Efejuku, who were the highest two scorers on the team last season. Another piece to the Friar puzzle is Geoff McDermott, who is known for his rebounding and passing ability. While averaging 10.3 points per game last season, he managed to also take down 8.1 rebounds per game and get 4.9 assists per game.

The Bad
The Friars have struggled lately and this is the same team as last year. The coaching change should help a lot, though, and with Curry back in the mix they have a lot of potential.

The Bottom Line
Curry may very well have been the missing key for the Friars last season. There were games where they showed what they were capable of achieving, such as when they beat Boston College and a ranked UConn team, and if they can managed to string together some back-to-back wins in this tough Big East division, they may very well get the confidence boost that they were missing.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Coach: Fred Hill
2007-2008 Record: 3-15 (11-20)
AP Rank: NR
Coaches: NR

Overview
The Scarlet Knights have all five starters returning to the mix this season after a very disappointed 3-15 Big East performance last year. They looked decent at times, keeping up with teams until the third quarter, and then fell apart. Unfortunately for the team right now, they are without leading scorer J.R. Inman and third highest scorer Anthony Farmer, who Coach Hill suspended in September.

Regardless, the Scarlet Knights have to find a way to turn this season around and simply score more points—in Big East play they averaged under 60 points per game while their opponents averaged over 70.

The Good

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