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)

#3 – Seton Hall

Preseason predicted ranking: 3rd
BIG EAST 2018-19 Record: 7-11
2018-19 Overall Record: 15-16

Key Returners: In addition to being named the Preseason Player of the Year, Shadeen Samuels was named to the Cheryl Miller Award list. She led the Pirates with an average of 18.3 points per game in 2018-19. Combo forward/guard Desiree Elmore also averaged over 10 points per game and returns for her junior (redshirt) year.

Newcomers: The Pirates added Jocelyn Jones to the roster for 2019-20. The Richmond, VA native transferred in from the University of North Carolina. Bozzella also adds four true freshman to the team.

Head coach: Tony Bozzella enters his seventh season at Seton Hall. The Pirates finished eighth in the regular season and made their second consecutive WNIT appearance.

Outlook: Samuels and the Pirates are looking to make good on their preseason ranking. They are the only other BIG EAST team playing UConn the season before they return to the conference.