Feast Week is always the perfect moment to reassess where teams stand in college basketball. Most programs head to tournaments, face real competition, and give us data points that matter. This year, the Big East delivered several revealing performances, including a surprising early surge from Butler.
Through the Thanksgiving holiday, here is where the Big East power rankings land.
1. Connecticut Huskies (7-1)
Previous: 1
Dan Hurley is not ducking anyone. Connecticut continues to stack elite opponents and respond with wins. The Huskies beat Illinois and Kansas, which gives them one of the strongest early resumes in the country. A win at Allen Fieldhouse speaks for itself.
More tests are coming with Florida in New York and Texas in Hartford. Free throw shooting needs improvement, but UConn remains comfortably ahead of the league.
2. Butler Bulldogs (7-1)
Previous: 7
The jump is big, and deserved. Butler entered the season with questions about shooting after a soft early schedule, but they have answered them emphatically. The Bulldogs lead the nation in adjusted three point percentage and own quality wins over South Carolina and Virginia.
The next stretch will reveal even more. Boise State and Providence come to town before the trip to UConn. If Butler competes well in that one, it is time to take this team seriously.
3. St. John’s Red Storm (4-3)
Previous: 3
Losses to Iowa State, Auburn, and Alabama are not disqualifying, but at some point St. John’s needs to win one of these games. The win over Baylor helps, but questions remain.
Right now, the formula is simple: score inside, get to the line, and hope opponents foul. If teams stay disciplined, the Red Storm struggle to create clean looks. Ole Miss on Saturday should provide an opportunity to settle in offensively.
4. Seton Hall Pirates (7-1)
Previous: 9
Seton Hall put together an impressive Maui run with wins over NC State and Washington State, plus a respectable two point loss to USC.
The Pirates win with defense and free throws. They rank among the best nationally in both categories and rebound well enough to back it up. This is a style that translates to Big East play.
5. Villanova Wildcats (6-1)
Previous: 4
Nova’s schedule is partly limited by the Philadelphia Big Five rotation, but the resume still lacks a high end win. That could change soon with Michigan and Pittsburgh on deck.
The Wildcats are shooting the ball well, but giving up too many clean looks from deep. That will not hold against better competition. Perimeter defense must improve quickly.
6. Georgetown Hoyas (5-2)
Previous: 2
The Clemson win still pops, but Maryland’s collapse makes that result less meaningful. Losses to Dayton and Miami exposed lingering issues.
Georgetown’s shooting and perimeter defense remain inconsistent, and the roster is not built to play through defensive lapses. Progress is obvious, but the rebuild is far from complete.
7. Creighton Bluejays (5-3)
Previous: 6
The difference between Creighton and St. John’s is simple. St. John’s takes competitive losses, while Creighton is getting blown out.
The Bluejays took heavy losses to Iowa State and Baylor before salvaging the Vegas trip with a win over Oregon. Nebraska in Lincoln is a chance to steady things, but the concerns are real.
8. Xavier Musketeers (6-3)
Previous: 10
Xavier is showing signs of growth. The loss to Santa Clara looks better as the Broncos continue to win, and the Musketeers finally notched a Power 5 victory over West Virginia.
Defense is the key. Holding three of the past five opponents under 70 points is exactly what this group needs to build on.
9. Marquette Golden Eagles (5-4)
Previous: 5
This is not the Marquette team people expected to see. Losing at home to Maryland was bad. Nearly losing to Valparaiso at home would have been catastrophic.
Efficiency is the issue. Marquette excels in the mid-range but keeps forcing threes it cannot hit. That falls on Shaka Smart to correct.
10. Providence Friars (5-4)
Previous: 8
Providence has been predictable. Beat the teams they should beat. Lose to the teams they should lose to.
The Friars close games well thanks to elite free throw shooting, but the challenge is getting ahead in the first place. Consistency on shot selection will determine whether Providence climbs or stays stuck.
11. DePaul Blue Demons (5-3)
Previous: 11
There is progress, but not enough of it. The three game win streak was encouraging, but the 29 point loss to LSU quickly reset expectations.
DePaul does not have a clear identity and faces a brutal schedule ahead. After their next two, they realistically will be the underdog in all remaining 21 games.
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