For the first time this season, all Big East teams have lost at least one game in conference play. Does that mean there’s a new No. 1 team in the latest power ranking? Check out where UConn and the rest of the conference are placed in this newest edition.
*This article is part of an ongoing conference power ranking series. Read our recent editions using the buttons below.
1. St. John’s Red Storm
Record: 19-5 (12-1)
In the most anticipated game of the Big East season, St. John’s got an 81-72 home win over UConn last Friday. Six-foot-9 senior center Zuby Ejiofor had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in a statement performance. After beating Xavier in overtime in the following game, the Red Storm now have a league-high 10-game win streak and a real shot at the regular-season crown.
2. UConn Huskies
Record: 23-2 (13-1)
It wasn’t just the loss at St. John’s itself that pushed the Huskies down; the overall play from the past few weeks just hasn’t been as good as their conference nemesis. They did bounce back with a win on Wednesday, an 80-70 road victory over Butler in which 6-foot-10 senior center Tarris Reed finished just three assists shy of a triple-double. UConn will have to avoid another loss before the rematch with St. John’s, but the next games are at home, taking on Georgetown and Creighton.
3. Villanova Wildcats
Record: 19-5 (10-3)
The UConn loss creates a slim opportunity for the Wildcats in the regular-season title chase, trailing by two games in the standings with games remaining against both top teams. They’re on a four-game win streak of their own, including a 77-74 home victory over Marquette. Villanova’s schedule gets very tough going forward, starting with two straight road games against Creighton and Xavier before they get to the top teams.
4. Creighton Bluejays
Record: 13-12 (7-7)
After a great start to league play, Creighton has now lost four of its last five games, including a 72-71 setback at DePaul. The one win they got during this stretch was a 69-68 last-second victory over Seton Hall, led by 16 points from Josh Dix. Speaking of schedules getting tougher for teams, the Bluejays have back-to-back road games at UConn and St. John’s coming up after an upcoming home game with Villanova.
5. Seton Hall Pirates
Record: 17-8 (7-7)
After a four-game losing skid, Seton Hall has gone 3-2, winning at home and losing on the road. But the one-point defeat at Creighton could be something that comes back to haunt the Pirates with their dwindling at-large hopes. They have a trio of “must-win” games ahead of the final stretch against the top teams to end the regular season: matchups with Butler, DePaul and Georgetown.
6. Georgetown Hoyas
Record: 13-11 (5-8)
A seven-game losing skid was countered by four straight wins for the Hoyas before a recent 80-73 home loss to Villanova. A now-healthy 7-foot-1 senior center, Vincent Iwuchukwu, has been quite impactful as of late, coming off consecutive double-double performances. Georgetown still has road games against UConn and St. John’s, as well as home games against Butler and Marquette.
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7. Xavier Musketeers
Record: 12-12 (4-9)
The Musketeers have lost five of the last six games, though four came on the road and two were close games versus St. John’s, both of which could’ve gone either way. In the 87-82 overtime defeat to the Red Storm, 6-foot-7 senior forward Tre Carroll led the team with 21 points. Xavier arguably has the easiest remaining schedule of any Big East team and has a chance to stack up some wins, starting with home games against Marquette and Villanova.
8. Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 9-16 (4-10)
After a brutal start to league play, the Eagles have split their last six games, including home wins over Creighton and Butler. The schedule gets harder going forward, including home games versus St. John’s and UConn. But first, Marquette has a road battle at Xavier this weekend.
9. DePaul Blue Demons
Record: 13-12 (5-9)
For the first time since 2021-22, DePaul has won at least five Big East games, coming off a 72-71 home win over Creighton to end a four-game losing skid. Six-foot-8 senior forward NJ Benson finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win for the Blue Demons, who also have an easier schedule compared to others going forward. However, three of the next four games are on the road, including against Seton Hall up next.
10. Providence Friars
Record: 11-14 (4-10)
Fun fact: The Friars have allowed exactly 87 points in four of the last five games. They split those, including wins over Butler and DePaul. In the 97-87 double-OT victory over Butler, 6-foot-4 senior guard Jaylin Sellers dropped 36 points for Providence. Coach Kim English has a chance to get a statement victory this weekend as the Friars host St. John’s next.
11. Butler Bulldogs
Record: 13-12 (4-10)
It’s been a rough stretch for the Bulldogs, who are currently on a five-game losing skid after dropping an 80-70 home tilt to UConn. Making matters worse, 6-foot-4 junior guard Finley Bizjack (17.4 points per game) suffered a wrist injury towards the end of the last game. If he’s out for any lengthy period of time, Butler could find itself alone at the bottom of the standings.
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