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Four Big East teams are ranked in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll with Villanova leading the way at No. 6, followed by No. 7 Xavier, No. 12 Providence and No. 23 Butler.
The Big East ranks fourth in RPI by conference behind the Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC, according to RealTimeRPI.com.
Still, the league’s coaches are well aware that they will be judged by what happens in March.
Until the new-look league advances at least one team — if not more — to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, it may not gain the credibility it seeks across the nation.
“I think we’re aware that that’s out there in this relatively new-league dynamic of the Big East,” Butler coach Chris Holtmann said on The 4 Quarters Podcast. “Perception is reality to some degree and that’s what we’re faced with.
“I think it’s only a matter of time before we have multiple teams that advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. Obviously, we won a game last year, Georgetown won a game, Villanova won a game and then Xavier won two games. So it’s only a matter of time. I know we had six teams in last year. If you get enough quality teams in, it’s only a matter of time before we advance.There’s no question that’s going to happen, and I think this could certainly be the year.”
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ST. JOHN’S HAS BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE FUTURE
Chris Mullin is facing a major rebuild at St. John’s, but the league’s coaches seem to agree that the Red Storm will be a force to be reckoned with sooner than later.
“They’ve got some really nice pieces and I think Chris has done a really good job with them,” said Butler’s Holtmann, who hosts the Johnnies on Saturday. “II think you’re going to see this St. John’s team just continue to grow and get better and better. They played outstanding at Xavier. It’s going to be a difficult challenging game.”
St. John’s hosts Georgetown Wednesday night and hopes that getting back to the Garden will trigger their first league win of the season. The Johnnies are 2-0 at the Garden this season, including an 84-72 win over Syracuse on Dec. 13. St. John’s has won its last two meetings with the Hoyas at the Garden, and five of the last seven.
“It was so long ago that there probably isn’t a lot of significance for these kids, but back in the day it was a huge game,” Mullin said. “[There was] a lot of respect between our teams and it was a big time rivalry. They were great games with Hall of Fame coaches and players.”
POWER RANKINGS
1. Villanova (14-2, 4-0) – Entering Wednesday’s tilt with Marquette, the Wildcats are the league’s lone unbeaten team, having beaten Xavier, Creighton, Seton Hall and Butler. Next up: Marquette, Wednesday.
2. Xavier (15-1, 3-1) – Chris Mack’s club is expecting the return of 6-foot-5 point guard Edmond Sumner any day now and that could spell trouble for the rest of the league. Next up: At Marquette, Saturday.
3. Providence (15-2, 3-1) – Likely lottery pick Kris Dunn continued his heroics Tuesday night by going for 20 points and 8 rebounds and hitting a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer as the No. 12 Friars rallied from a 7-point deficit to edge host Creighton. Next up: Seton Hall, Saturday.
4. Butler (12-4, 1-3) - The Bulldogs have faced a brutal early schedule, losing to Providence, Xavier and Villanova, but the schedule eases up a bit now beginning with Saturday’s home tilt against St. John’s. Next up: St. John’s, Saturday.
5. Marquette (12-4, 2-2) – Led by reigning Big East Rookie of the Week Henry Ellenson, the Golden Eagles have won two straight entering Wednesday’s tilt at Villanova. Next up: At Villanova, Wednesday.
6. Georgetown (10-6, 3-1) – This team remains hard to figure. Two of the Hoyas’ three league wins have come against DePaul and they already have six losses on the season. Still, the talent is there to challenge anyone in the league. Next up: At St. John’s, Wednesday.
7. Creighton (12-6, 3-2) - Two transfers have proven to be huge for the Bluejays thus far in reigning Big East Player of the Week Maurice Watson and Cole Huff. And Greg McDermott remains one of the best coaches in the league. Next up: At DePaul, Sunday.
8. Seton Hall (12-4, 2-2) - The Pirates were a no-show in Saturday’s double-digit home loss to Creighton and now face a brutal stretch: at Providence, Villanova, at Xavier. Next up: At Providence, Saturday.
9. St. John’s (7-10, 0-4) - The Red Storm were dealt a tough break when big man Yankuba Sima was lost for 6-8 weeks with a broken bone in his hand. Still, the Johnnies are building for the future with young pieces like Federico Mussini, Kassoum Yakwe and Malik Ellison. Next up: Georgetown, Wednesday.
10. DePaul (6-11, 0-5) – In Year One of Dave Leitao Part II, the Blue Demons continue to struggle in this league and figure to battle St. John’s to avoid the cellar. Next up: Creighton, Sunday.
