DePaul University Athletics
Looking Forward...BIG EAST Men's Basketball
6/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
BIG EAST Men's Basketball
CHICAGO - This is the seventh in a series that takes an inside look at the future of DePaul athletics in the BIG EAST Conference. The BIG EAST, headquartered in Providence, R.I., celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2003-04 season and moved forward in 2004-05 with the addition of five new members poised to join the league this summer.
On July 1, DePaul University joins the University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Marquette University and the University of South Florida as new members of the BIG EAST Conference. The league membership in 2005-06 includes the five new members joining the University of Connecticut, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Syracuse University, Villanova University and the University of West Virginia.
A Preview of BIG EAST Men’s Basketball
For the second straight year and the third time in the last four years, the BIG EAST Conference earned six bids to the NCAA Tournament. Syracuse was the conference’s automatic qualifier, winning the 2005 BIG EAST Championship Presented by Aeropostale. Boston College, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Villanova and West Virginia each earned at-large bids. The BIG EAST and Big 12 earned more NCAA bids than any other conferences, putting six teams apiece in the tournament.
West Virginia and Villanova advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with the Mountaineers just missing a trip to the Final Four with a 93-85 overtime loss to future BIG EAST member Louisville in the Elite Eight. In the last three seasons, the BIG EAST leads all conferences with nine teams making an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.
Syracuse won the 2005 BIG EAST Championship Presented by Aeropostale. The Orange, who were the No. 3 seed, defeated eighth-seeded West Virginia in the title game, 68-59. Forward Hakim Warrick won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player. He was the tournament's top scorer (23.0) and rebounder (12.0). Boston College and Connecticut finished the regular season with identical 13-3 conference records for the regular-season title.
Last Five BIG EAST Tournament Champions
| 2005 | Syracuse |
| 2004 | Connecticut |
| 2003 | Pittsburgh |
| 2002 | Connecticut |
| 2001 | Boston College |
2004-05 BIG EAST Standings
Team BIG EAST Overall 13-3 25-5 13-3 23-8 11-5 27-7 11-5 24-8 10-6 20-9 9-7 17-12 8-8 19-13 8-8 24-11 4-12 14-17 4-12 12-16 3-13 9-18 2-14 10-19
W-L
W-L Boston College Connecticut Syracuse Villanova Pittsburgh Notre Dame Georgetown West Virginia Providence Seton Hall St. John's Rutgers
Category Name, School Total Scoring Daryll Hill, St. John's 20.7/game Rebounding Josh Boone, Connecticut 8.4/game Field Goal Pct. Lamont Hamilton, St. John's .504 Assists Marcus Williams, Connecticut 7.84/game Free Throw Pct. Gerry McNamara, Syracuse .874 Steals Randy Foye, Villanova 2.09/game 3pt. Field Goal Pct. Chris Quinn, Notre Dame .455 3pt. Field Goals Made Colin Falls, Notre Dame 3.21/game Blocked Shots Josh Boone, Connecticut 2.90/game Assist/Turnover Ratio Chris Quinn, Notre Dame 2.77 Offensive Rebounds Josh Boone, Connecticut 3.58/game Defensive Rebounds Lamont Hamilton, St. John's 4.89/game
