2019-20 Big East preview: DePaul still on top, Seton Hall rises

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - DECEMBER 02: Seton Hall Pirates forward Shadeen Samuels (24) during the women's college basketball game between the St. Peter's Peahens and Seton Hall Pirates on December 2, 2018, at Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - DECEMBER 02: Seton Hall Pirates forward Shadeen Samuels (24) during the women's college basketball game between the St. Peter's Peahens and Seton Hall Pirates on December 2, 2018, at Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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STORRS, CT – NOVEMBER 28: DePaul Blue Demons Forward Chante Stonewall (22) dribbles the ball up the court during the second half of the DePaul Blue Demons versus the Connecticut Huskies on November 28, 2018, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
STORRS, CT – NOVEMBER 28: DePaul Blue Demons Forward Chante Stonewall (22) dribbles the ball up the court during the second half of the DePaul Blue Demons versus the Connecticut Huskies on November 28, 2018, at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#1 DePaul

Preseason predicted ranking: 1st (18th in AP Preseason Poll)
BIG EAST 2018-19 Record: 14-4
2018-19 Overall Record: 26-8

Key returners: Guard Kelly Campbell returns as a top guard in the country and named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watchlist. Chante Stonewall was also named to the Cheryl Miller watchlist for small forwards. Stonewall was also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.

Newcomers: Deja Church joins DePaul from Michigan. Kiara Dallmann, an All-American at Iowa Western, has also joined the Blue Demons.

Head coach: Doug Bruno is synonymous with DePaul at this point. He has a .670 winning percentage over 35 years with the Blue Demons.

Outlook: It is hard to bet against Bruno and DePaul in the BIG EAST. The record quite literally speaks for itself. The Blue Demons have not finished lower than 2nd since 2012-13 (T-6th). Bruno and his program remain competitive in the BIG EAST and in the NCAA because of a rigorous non-conference schedule which this year includes UConn and Notre Dame.