We have just a couple of weeks left in the regular season for Big East basketball and there’s still plenty to be decided. Between the battle for the No. 1 seed and the massive logjam in the bottom half of the standings, the next few games carry heavy stakes.
Some programs have more momentum than others, which is shown in the latest Big East power rankings. Compared to the prior edition, just two teams haven’t changed their spots, including a needed revision at the top.
*This article is part of an ongoing conference power ranking series. Read our recent editions using the buttons below.
1. UConn Huskies
Record: 26-3 (16-2)
Few will even remember UConn losing 91-84 at home to Creighton, because the big game that truly mattered was the Huskies’ 72-40 blowout victory over St. John’s, which avenged an earlier loss to the Red Storm. Six-foot-10 senior big man Tarris Reed was the star, producing 20 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks in the win. If UConn beats Seton Hall and Marquette to end the regular season, they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament.
2. St. John’s Red Storm
Record: 22-6 (15-2)
After a 13-game win streak, which included a victory over UConn, St. John’s had earned its spot at the top of the Big East. However, that came crashing to a halt this week, with the Red Storm losing by 32 points in the rematch with the Huskies — a performance that saw St. John’s miss its final 24 field goal attempts. St. John’s will need to take care of business against Villanova this weekend to lock up at least a No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, while needing one more UConn defeat for a possible shot at the top seed.
3. Villanova Wildcats
Record: 22-6 (13-4)
The Wildcats have handled business against the teams below them in the rankings, including a 92-89 overtime victory over Xavier, led by 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals from 6-foot-2 freshman guard Acaden Lewis. Villanova has one more chance to show it can beat a top team, going on the road to face St. John’s this weekend.
4. Seton Hall Pirates
Record: 19-9 (9-8)
The Pirates have won three of their last four games, including a 51-47 slugfest against Georgetown. They do have a home loss to DePaul on their resume, but Seton Hall is one of just four teams with a record over .500 in league play, and they also have some slim bubble hopes. The good news for Seton Hall is that it has a chance to notch a pair of signature wins, facing both UConn and St. John’s over the next eight days.
5. DePaul Blue Demons
Record: 15-13 (7-10)
After a four-game skid, DePaul has since won three of the last four, including a season sweep over Creighton. The latest was a 72-71 win, led by 21 points from 6-foot-5 senior guard Brandon Maclin. The Blue Demons need just one more victory to secure their most wins in league play in 20 years, with opportunities against Marquette, Villanova and Butler to do it.
6. Creighton Bluejays
Record: 14-15 (8-10)
The bad news for the Bluejays is that they’ve lost four of the last five games overall, including two losses to DePaul. But sandwiched in between was a massive 91-84 road win at UConn, led by 21 points and 8 rebounds from 6-foot-5 senior guard Josh Dix. Capable of beating and losing to anyone, Creighton could be the X-factor in the Big East Tournament.
UConn and St. John’s Are Ready To Rumble Again
The Huskies will look to avenge their loss in Madison Square Garden and regain the inside track to a Big East title and No. 1 seed
7. Providence Friars
Record: 13-15 (6-11)
The big story with the Friars was the 10-point home loss to St. John’s, an emotionally charged game which saw several ejections, including 6-foot-8 senior forward Duncan Powell being suspended for three games afterward. They have won two straight games since, beating Xavier and DePaul. Providence looks to carry the momentum in the final week of the regular season with matchups against Creighton, Marquette and Georgetown.
8. Marquette Golden Eagles
Record: 10-18 (5-12)
The Eagles have lost four of the last six games, though all of them were by single digits. Marquette is coming off a 76-60 road win over Georgetown, with 6-foot freshman guard Nigel James Jr. scoring a game-high 20 points in the victory. They’ve been much more competitive overall as of late and have a chance to show their overall improvement, facing UConn at home to end the regular season.
9. Butler Bulldogs
Record: 15-14 (6-12)
After a six-game losing skid, Butler was able to win back-to-back games against Georgetown and Xavier to get out of the Big East basement. Six-foot-7 senior forward Michael Ajayi averaged 20 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during those wins and is making a late case for first-team all-league honors. Matchups with Creighton and DePaul will determine where Butler is placed in the conference tournament.
10. Xavier Musketeers
Record: 13-15 (5-12)
The Musketeers have lost five of the last six games, including overtime defeats to St. John’s and Villanova. But the recent 94-84 road loss at Providence, a game that was more of a blowout than the final score suggests, is the real cause for concern for the sliding program. Now in danger of finishing last in the Big East, Xavier faces Georgetown at home next, a game that will have big implications in the bottom tier of the standings.
11. Georgetown Hoyas
Record: 13-15 (5-12)
After a four-game win streak that looked to have the Hoyas going in the right direction, the team has since lost five games in a row, including a 16-point home defeat to Marquette. Making matters worse, KJ Lewis, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who leads the team with 14.9 points per game, is out for the season after suffering an ankle injury in the last game. With road games against Xavier and St. John’s coming up, Georgetown may find itself with a No. 11 seed in the Big East Tournament.
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