Scottie Reynolds
6’2” guard, Villanova
Jay Wright’s Wildcats avoided a big loss when Scottie Reynolds resisted the temptation to play pro ball. As a freshman, Reynolds helped lift his team from NIT expectations to an NCAA Tournament berth, garnering conference Rookie of the Year honors. Explosive is an understatement when describing the sophomore. He handles the ball well and uses his quickness to attack opponents with the dribble, while showing great offensive balance with accurate shooting from beyond the arc. Playing nearly 30 minutes per game, Reynolds averaged 14.8 points, including a monstrous 40-point performance at Connecticut and 29 points against DePaul in the Big East Tournament. Even worse for Big East coaches, Reynolds elevated his game in conference play, averaging 18.4 points and shooting a dangerous 43 percent from the outside. But Reynolds is not just a scorer. His ability to run the offense was evident in his 4 assists-per-game average, including a season-high 10 against Louisville. He needed just one season to solidify himself as one of the elite Big East players, and he joins Roy Hibbert as a unanimous 2007 preseason all-conference selection. He will be a challenger for Player of the Year honors, and more importantly, the reason the Wildcats are dancing again in March.
Terrence Williams
6’6” forward, Louisville
The junior started every game last season, pacing the Cardinals with 12.4 points and a solid seven rebounds per game, racking up seven double-doubles. With center David Padgett and forward Juan Palacios struggling through injuries, Williams helped carry the team. He is a forward who can pass, leading the team in assists at 3.8 per game, and has the quickness of a guard, which makes him difficult to defend. His ability to get to the hoop and finish plays more than makes up for his inconsistent perimeter game. Williams also earned Big East All-Tournament Team honors for his performance last spring. While big things are expected from players like Padgett and sophomore guard Edgar Sosa, Williams’ versatility will be key to the offense. The Cardinals, voted preseason co-champion along with Georgetown and ranked sixth in both major national polls, are a legitimate pick for the conference title and a threat that cannot be ignored in March. If Williams can continue to post consistent numbers in the major categories and be an overall leader in his third year, he will be a strong boost for the Final Four contenders.
Dominic James
5’11” guard, Marquette
James has been relied on since his first day in Milwaukee and it is no surprise that he is a preseason all-conference selection. Marquette avoided a scare when he withdrew from the NBA Draft, and he will anchor a Golden Eagles squad that should be a challenge for the conference title and more. His numbers dipped slightly from his freshman year, especially in field-goal percentage, but as a more experienced junior he will be the team’s primary option with support from fellow juniors and double-digit scorers Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews. As the leader of this dangerous backcourt trio, James averaged 14.9 points per game last season. The junior is considered a scoring point guard, but showed he could also run the offense with 4.9 assists per game and a 1.88 assist-to-turnover ratio. Despite his small size, he can jump out of the gym and is a good defender, with nearly two steals a game. James can play at different speeds, running half court sets or pushing the tempo at a moment’s notice. His sub-par outside shooting is a concern, but he makes up for it as a slasher with the ability to get to the rack and finish.
Eric Devendorf
6’4” guard, Syracuse
Last season, the junior guard’s numbers improved significantly over a freshman campaign for which he earned all-rookie honors. He averaged 14.8 points per game in 2006-2007, including a 33-point bonanza at Villanova towards the end of the season, and shot a steady 41 percent from the field in nearly 31 minutes per contest. The junior guard posts modest rebounding numbers and plays decent defense, but his scoring and passing abilities stand out most. Though considered a two-guard, he was often trusted to run the offense last year, and showed his ability to distribute with an average of 4.1 assists. Coach Jim Boeheim will rely on the experienced junior to lead the way after the departures of seniors Demetris Nichols, Darryl Watkins and Terrence Roberts. Though they have a top recruiting class, Syracuse’s roster is freshman-heavy, and the loss of guard Andy Rautins to injury during the Pan-Am Games over the summer leaves a big void. Devendorf will be asked to take the lead while the newcomers get acclimated to a team expected to win.
Jeff Adrien
6’7” forward, Connecticut
Adrien was the lone bright spot for a 2006-2007 Connecticut team that finished 12th in the Big East, barely making the conference tournament. While question marks loom over a Huskies roster that returns intact, the junior will be one of the few certainties heading into opening night. He is a presence in the post and a double-double threat night in and night out—he had fifteen last season. A narrow second in scoring average with 13.1 for Jim Calhoun’s team, Adrien also showed his rebounding abilities with an average of 9.7 boards in over 33 minutes per game. Adrien shot nearly 50 percent from the field and showed some defensive prowess, blocking 1.4 shots per game. He was also voted to the All-Big East second team. Playing at the power forward spot, he should gain even more opportunities if returning 7’3” center Hasheem Thabeet plays better and draws more attention from opposing teams. Regardless, Calhoun will rely on Adrien to bring stability and leadership to a team that should bounce back and quite possibly squeeze into the field of 64.
