Providence and Hall are senior laden, battle tested, and are returning nearly everyone hungry and ready to eat. They have unfinished business.
Nova, X and Creighton have lost their leaders and most talented players to the draft and graduation. They're reloading but also rebuilding from their runs. Although very talented, they will have new identities next year. Even though they're retaining some they're not nearly at the strength and cohesion that the ladder two have.
We'll be lucky to be in this elite mix. To reemphasize, we need another big in the worst way.