For the first time in the brief history of the new-look Big East Conference, the league placed three teams in the Top 10 of the AP Poll on Monday..
For the first time in the brief history of the new-look Big East Conference, the league placed three teams in the Top 10 of the AP Poll on Monday.
Villanova is No. 6, Xavier is No. 7 and Providence is No. 10.
Villanova saw its 22-game league winning streak snapped on Sunday at the hands of Providence. Before that, the Wildcats hadn’t lost a league game since falling at Georgetown in January 2015.
On the Bracketology front, the Big East has four teams in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
Villanova is a No. 1 seed, Xavier a 2, Providence a 5 and unranked Butler a 10.
BENTIL, ELLENSON HONORED
Providence forward Ben Bentil was named Big East Player of the Week and Marquette forward Henry Ellenson was tabbed Freshman of the Week. Bentil led the Friars to a pair of wins against ranked opponents, including an 82-76 overtime victory at fourth-ranked Villanova. Ellenson helped the Golden Eagles to a win at St. John’s by scoring 18 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking four shots.
Bentil led Providence to a pair of victories against ranked Big East teams, while averaging 25.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. He scored a game-high 31 points, including 10 in overtime, and pulled down 13 boards to help PC win at No. 4 Villanova 82-76 on Sunday. Earlier in the week, Bentil scored 20 points and grabbed seven boards in a 71-68 victory over then-No. 18 Butler. The sophomore leads the league in scoring with a 19.8 average.
Ellenson earns Freshman of the Week honors for the fourth time this season after averaging 13.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots in a 1-1 week. Ellenson had 16 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots in a 78-73 win at St. John’s. He had 11 points, six rebounds and four blocks in a 57-56 loss to DePaul. For the season, Ellenson ranks fifth in the Big East in scoring with a 15.7 average and first in rebounding with a 9.9 mark.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Villanova (17-3, 7-1) – The Wildcats saw their 22-game league winning streak come to an end on Sunday against Providence. Still projected as a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. Next up: At St John’s, Sunday.
2. Xavier (17-2, 5-2) – Chris Mack’s club got back 6-foot-5 point guard Edmond Sumner after he missed time with a hed injury. Next up: At Providence, Tuesday.
3. Providence (17-3, 5-2) – Sophomore forward Ben Bentil was named Big East Player of the Week and has emerged as a dangerous Robin to Batman Kris Dunn. Next up: Xavier, Tuesday.
4. Butler (13-6, 2-5) – The Bulldogs have lost three of four and five and seven, but are still a projected NCAA Tournament team by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. Next up: DePaul, WEdnesday.
5. Creighton (14-6, 5-2) – After being picked ninth in the 10-team league, the Bluejays are now in a four-way tie for second. Next up: At Georgtown, Tuesday.
6. Georgetown (12-8, 5-2) – The Hoyas have lost two of their last three to Villanova and former Big East foe UConn. Next up: Creighton, Tuesday.
7. Marquette (13-7, 3-5) – The Golden Eagles had dropped three straight before winning at St. John’s on Sunday. Next up: Stetson, Wednesday.
8. Seton Hall (13-6, 3-4) – The Pirates have lost four of five, with two of those losses to Villanova. Next up: St. John’s, Wednesday.
9. DePaul (7-12, 1-6) – Dave Leitao‘s club earned its first league win last Wednesday at Marquette, 57-56. Next up: At Buter, Wednesday.
19. St. John’s (7-13, 0-7) – The Red Storm have dropped 10 straight overall and it seems to be all about the future in Queens. Next up: At Seton Hall, Wednesday.
