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

QUEENS, NY – MARCH 03: St. John’s Red Storm guard Tiana England (3) sets the play during the second half of the women’s college basketball game between the Seton Hall Pirates and St. John’s Red Storm on March 3, 2019 at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

#2 – St. John’s

Preseason predicted ranking: 2nd
BIG EAST 2018-19 Record: 7-11
2018-19 Overall Record: 15-16

Key returners: Tiana England joins two other BIG EAST players on the national watchlists for the Nancy Lieberman Award. England is sure to make the St. John’s all-time assists leader in her junior year. Qadashah Hoppie was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team and was among England and Alisha Kebbe to average over 10 points per game for St. John’s last season.

Newcomers:

Head coach: There is no shortage of great coaching in the BIG EAST Conference. In six seasons, Joe Tartamella has proven he is among them with a .619 record at St. John’s. He’s led the Big Red to six postseason tournaments, the most recent in 2018 (WNIT Quarterfinals).

Outlook: St. John’s is predicted to finish towards the top of the standings despite their 8th place (tied) finish in the BIG EAST last season. Perhaps last season was an outlier, as the Red Storm have been a top-5 team in the BIG EAST for the past five years.