If nothing else, Big East basketball is highly competitive. Tuesday featured a trio of games that went down to the wire, including the top team nearly losing its first league contest. Heading into this weekend with another five matchups to watch, here’s an updated look at the hierarchy of the Big East, including a look at which of those in the “bottom tier” still has hope to potentially turn things around.
1. UConn Huskies
Record: 17-1 (7-0)
The Huskies remain unbeaten in league play and are the lone clear-cut NCAA Tournament team out of the Big East. Yet they’ve been tested as well, needing overtime to get past Providence, as well as barely holding on to beat Seton Hall on the road. Six-foot-10 senior center Tarris Reed Jr. had 21 points to lead the way in that victory, along with 20 in the win over the Friars. They remain on the road for three of the next four games, starting this weekend at Georgetown.
2. St. John’s Red Storm
Record: 12-5 (5-1)
After a home loss to Providence, the Red Storm has been playing its best ball of the season, winning its last three games all by 14+ points. That includes a 90-73 road win over Creighton in which the Storm was led by 17 points off the bench by 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Lefteris Liotopoulos. While his minutes remain inconsistent among the loaded backcourt, that’s another weapon coach Rick Pitino has at his disposal.
3. Villanova Wildcats
Record: 14-3 (5-1)
A strong case can be made for Kevin Willard to be the Big East Coach of the Year, having overachieved at a high level this season. That includes four road wins in league play already, coming off wins at Marquette and Providence. The latest was an 88-82 victory over the Friars, with 6-foot-3 senior guard Devin Askew scoring 20 points off the bench. Villanova has a great chance to enhance its NCAA Tournament resume with matchups versus St. John’s and UConn coming up in the next week.
4. Seton Hall Pirates
Record: 14-3 (4-2)
The Pirates were close to getting one of the biggest wins of the season this week, going down to the wire with UConn at home. They ultimately fell 69-64, ending a three-game win streak, but remain highly impressive overall. Seton Hall takes on a desperate Butler squad at home next, followed by a key road matchup at St. John’s.
5. Creighton Bluejays
Record: 11-7 (5-2)
After a rough start to the season, the Bluejays have been playing much better and are coming off an overtime 86-83 win at Georgetown. Miami transfer and 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Austin Swartz went for a career-high 33 points in the win and is averaging 19 points per game in Big East play. With his emergence as a key go-to guy, the Bluejays have a trio of winnable games coming up, starting with Providence on the road.
6. Xavier Musketeers
Record: 11-7 (3-4)
There’s a clear separation between the top five and the rest of the Big East. By virtue of recent home wins over Providence and Butler, Xavier gets to be right in the middle. Six-foot-7 senior forward Tre Carroll dropped 29 points in the team’s 89-75 win over Butler. Carroll and 6-foot-5 senior guard Malik Moore are each averaging 16+ points per game in league play as the clear key guys for the Musketeers. The schedule gets harder for Xavier in the next two weeks, starting with St. John’s at home this weekend.
Michigan Loses No. 1 Seed, Mizzou + St. John's Climb
Jan 12: Arizona, Iowa State, UConn and Duke are No. 1 Seeds, while Wisconsin, NC State and Missouri enter the latest bracket.
7. Butler Bulldogs
Record: 10-7 (1-5)
Yes, Butler has had the toughest schedule to open league play. But four straight defeats have the Bulldogs on the ropes in terms of postseason hopes, including a 14-point loss at Xavier earlier this week. Six-foot-7 senior forward Michael Ajayi remains a bright spot, going for 22 points and 14 rebounds in the most recent defeat. The tough stretch continues with a road clash at Seton Hall this weekend, but after that are two winnable home matchups against DePaul and Marquette.
8. Providence Friars
Record: 8-9 (1-5)
The Friars have lost five of their last six games. However, four of those defeats came down to the wire, with losses decided by six points or fewer. The defense has been the main culprit in the skid, allowing point totals of 113, 103 (in OT), 97 and 88, respectively. Providence’s next game is at home, taking on an improved Creighton squad.
9. DePaul Blue Demons
Record: 10-7 (2-4)
DePaul is halfway to matching its Big East win total from last year, with recent home wins over Xavier and Georgetown. In the 86-77 win over the Musketeers, 6-foot-5 senior guard CJ Gunn had 22 points, making him one of six players in double figures. The Blue Demons have been good at home and look to continue that win streak this weekend against Marquette.
10. Georgetown Hoyas
Record: 9-8 (1-5)
It’s been a complete freefall for the Hoyas, who have lost their last five league games. That includes a 56-50 road defeat at DePaul, a result that may have put head coach Ed Cooley on the hot seat. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Hoyas, with a home game against UConn this weekend, followed by road battles at Villanova and Providence. A 1-8 start to Big East play is staring the program in the face, which could make things dire for all involved.
11. Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 6-12 (1-6)
The Eagles have now lost eight out of nine games, with a one-point home win over Xavier being the lone victory since the start of December. The lone bright spot has been the emergence of 6-foot freshman guard Nigel James Jr., who is averaging 17.9 points and 4.6 assists per game in Big East play, including a 31-point effort against Villanova. Marquette looks to get in the win column this weekend at DePaul, a game where they may be the underdog.
Meet your guide
