By Kevin McNamara Journal filesDave Gavitt The Big East is ready to return to its roots. Citing a desire to reemphasize the vision of Dave Gavitt back in 1979, the seven basketball-only members of the current Big East, plus three additions, announced their long-awaited plans at a press conference Wednesday morning in New York. The Big East will now feature new members Butler, Creighton and Xavier; plus holdovers DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence College, St.