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

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)
5 of 11
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Butler Bulldogs forward Tori Schickel (34) looks to high five Butler Bulldogs guard Michelle Weaver (11) during the game against the Providence Lady Friars on March 3, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena located in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Butler Bulldogs forward Tori Schickel (34) looks to high five Butler Bulldogs guard Michelle Weaver (11) during the game against the Providence Lady Friars on March 3, 2018 at the Wintrust Arena located in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

2017-18 Record: Overall Record 15-17; BIG East Conference 6-12; Eighth place finish

2018-19 Preseason Poll: Sixth place

Key Returners:

Whitney Jennings led the team with 16.8 points per game, making her one of the highest scorers returning to the BIG EAST Conference in 2018-19—she was ranked fourth leading scorer in the conference last season.  She was an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention, perhaps only because of Butler’s 6-12 finish. She led all Bulldog players, including Tori Schickel in scoring and assists last year. No doubt, she is a player to watch.

Schickel did make the 2017-18 All-BIG EAST First Team, as well as the 2018-19 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. She led Butler with a 53.2% shooting percentage, good enough for third in the BIG EAST.  The 6-1 forward/center

Games to Watch:

Opener: Friday, November 9 vs. Eastern Illinois – 12:00 p.m]

Thursday, December 20 vs. The Ohio State University – 12:15 p.m (West Palm Beach Invitational)

BIG EAST Opener: Saturday, December 29 at Villanova — 8:00 p.m on FS2