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BIG EAST Conference preview: Title runs through either Marquette or DePaul

By Erica Ayala

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Commissioner Val Ackerman addresses the media during the Big East Men's & Women's Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 14, 2015 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 14: Commissioner Val Ackerman addresses the media during the Big East Men's & Women's Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 14, 2015 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 04: Seton Hall Pirates guard Inja Butina (5) shoots a layup against the DePaul Blue Demons on March 4, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 04: Seton Hall Pirates guard Inja Butina (5) shoots a layup against the DePaul Blue Demons on March 4, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Pirates will need more scoring to climb the BIG EAST rankings this season. Only two players (Donnaizha Fountain & JaQuan Jackson) from the previous season averaged more than 10 points per game. The Pirates will rely on their six upperclassmembers, including graduate transfers Victoria Cardaci (Clemson) and Diandra DaRosa (Virginia Tech) to mature the seven freshman and sophomores on the 2018-19 roster.

However, the team continues to push itself to master play in the BIG EAST, and among BIG EAST alum.  The Musketeers will face the University of Connecticut, now in the AAC, in early December ahead of BIG EAST Conference play.

2017-18 Record: 16-16; 7-11 in BIG EAST; Seventh place finish

2018-19 Preseason Poll: Eighth place

Key Returners:

Fountain and Jackson were key players for the Pirates. However, Fountain left the program unexpectedly last season and Jackson has graduated and is playing overseas. Senior guard Inja Butina comes into the 2018-19 season as the leading scorer from the previous season (7.8 PPG)

Games to Watch:

Opening Game: Wagner at Seton Hall – Tuesday, November 6 at 2:00 pm

Seton Hall at Connecticut (2) – Saturday, December 8 at 1:00 pm

BIG EAST Opener: Sunday, December 30 at St. John’s at 1:00 p.m.

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