Early signing breakdown: Big East
The majority of the schools in the Big East didn't sign classes big in numbers, but the league overall will be bringing a fair amount of quality players in the 2016 class. Two schools currently have classes that rank inside the top 35 nationally.
By the numbers
Ranking the Big East classes
1. Butler (No. 22 nationally)
2. Villanova (25)
3. Marquette
4. Xavier
5. St. Johns
6. Seton Hall
7. Georgetown
8. Providence
9. DePaul
10. Creighton
Butler, under Chris Holtman, has continued to build on the success Brad Stevens had as head coach of the program. No longer the interim head coach, Holtman and his staff went out and signed the top class in the Big East and the 20th ranked class nationally. Three of the Bulldogs four signees are Rivals150 prospects. The only other Big East school to be ranked by Rivals.com is Villanova (No. 23), whose two-man class is headlined by five-star center Omari Spellman.
In total, 12 Rivals150 prospects in the Class of 2016 decided to make a Big East school their college choice during the early signing period. Spellman (No. 22), a 6-foot-9, 287-pound center, is the only five-star prospect headed to the Big East right now and should be the type of player Jay Wright can build around. Five of the 12 Rivals150 prospects headed to the Big East are four-star prospects with St John's signee Shamorie Ponds as the highest ranked among them at 42nd overall. Look for Chris Mullin to put the ball in his hands early in his career. Georgia native Kamar Baldwin (No. 115) is the highest three-star prospect that signed with a Big East school and he's joined by five other Rivals150 prospects in three-star range.
Butler signed a class that should have them in contention for Big East titles going forward. Kamar BaldwinClick Things to keep an eye onHere to view this Link. and Howard WashingtonClick Things to keep an eye onHere to view this Link. will complement each other nicely in the backcourt, while Joey BrunkClick Things to keep an eye onHere to view this Link. can do the dirty work in the paint. Nice work by Chris Holtman and his staff during the early signing period.
It's only a two-man class, but Xavier once again added players that should keep them towards the top of the league. Quentin GoodinClick Steve Wojciechowski added an intriguing piece to his program during the early signing period by signing four-star small forward Brendan BaileyClick Villanova's program under Jay Wright has become known for their guard play, but it is five-star center Spellman that highlights their 2016 class. It will be interesting to see what type of changes Wright makes to his system while Spellman is on campus.Here to view this Link.. The 48th ranked prospect in the Rivals150 has the potential to be an all-conference player for the Golden Eagles.Here to view this Link., a four-star shooting guard, can provide some fire-power on the wing for the Musketeers, while three-star power forward Tyrique JonesClick Steve Wojciechowski added an intriguing piece to his program during the early signing period by signing four-star small forward Brendan BaileyClick Villanova's program under Jay Wright has become known for their guard play, but it is five-star center Spellman that highlights their 2016 class. It will be interesting to see what type of changes Wright makes to his system while Spellman is on campus.Here to view this Link.. The 48th ranked prospect in the Rivals150 has the potential to be an all-conference player for the Golden Eagles.Here to view this Link. is a capable interior scorer.