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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SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 16: Villanova Wildcats forward Mary Gedaka (30) shoots on South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard/forward Myah Selland (44) during the first round of the Division I Women’s Championship on March 16, 2018 at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 16: Villanova Wildcats forward Mary Gedaka (30) shoots on South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard/forward Myah Selland (44) during the first round of the Division I Women’s Championship on March 16, 2018 at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

#6 – Villanova

Preseason predicted ranking: 6th
BIG EAST 2018-19 Record: 9-9
2018-19 Overall Record: 19-13

Key returners: Mary Gedaka was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team after averaging 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Wildcats last season. Guard Kelly Jekot tallied 74 assists, 17 steals, and averaged 13.8 points per game in 2018-19.

Newcomers: Villanova only have one true freshman on their roster. Junior Sarah Mortenson joins the Wildcats from the University of Miami.

Head coach: Harry Parretta enters his 42 and final season as head coach at Villanova. The team announced the Parretta will retire on Wednesday. The Wildcats have finished in the top-4 of the BIG EAST for the past five seasons and made seven consecutive postseason tournaments.

Outlook: Villanova has lots of offense to make-up with Adrianna Hahn and Jannah Tucker not returning. Mortensen add perimeter shooting that can keep the Wildcats in games and no doubt the team will want to send Parretta off with a bang.