Mat Mlodzinski gives his Big East basketball power rankings heading into week 17 of the 2023-24 season.
Matchup of the week: Creighton vs. Marquette (Mar. 2 – 2:30 p.m.)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Providence vs. Villanova (Mar. 2 – Noon)
All games listed are EST
1. UConn Huskies
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 25-3 (15-2)
Last week: L at #15 Creighton (85-66), W vs. Villanova (78-54)
Next week: vs. Seton Hall (Mar. 3 – Noon)
Quality wins: Marquette, North Carolina, Creighton, Texas, Gonzaga, Providence, Villanova (x2), St. John’s (x2), Butler
Bad losses: N/A
UConn stays at the top of the Big East Basketball Power Rankings, but the gap between them, Creighton, and Marquette is closing. Omaha is a tough place to play, but the Bluejays exposed the Huskies in the 19-point loss for UConn. Obviously, they bounced back, which is one characteristic of a great team. The aura around the Huskeis hasn’t changed, and with a double-digit win over Seton Hall, the loss to Creighton really won’t mean much more than a challenging road game.
2. Creighton Bluejays
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)
Record: 20-8 (11-6)
Last week: W vs. #1 UConn (85-66), L at St. John’s (80-66)
Next week: vs. Seton Hall (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), vs. #5 Marquette (Mar. 2 – 2:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: UConn, Alabama, at Nebraska, at Seton Hall, at Butler, Providence, St. John’s
Bad losses: UNLV
Marquette might have gone undefeated on the week, but Creighton beat UConn, something only two other teams can say this year. The Jays also did it so easily, that it makes the loss to St. John’s not even matter that much. I’m sure Greg McDermott will get them back in the lab, but after beating the Huskies we can be sure that Creighton can be one of the most dangerous teams in the NCAA Tournament.
3. Marquette Golden Eagles
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)
Record: 21-6 (12-4)
Last two weeks: W vs. DePaul (105-71), W vs. Xavier (88-64)
Next week: vs. Providence (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), at #12 Creighton (Mar. 2 – 2:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Illinois, Kansas, Creighton, Texas, at Butler, Seton Hall, at Villanova, St. John’s (x2)
Bad losses: N/A
It was a perfect week for Marquette, both literally with a 2-0 finish, and figurately since they got to play DePaul and Xavier and figure some things out with a 34-point win followed by a 24-point win. This week, the Golden Eagles get Providence and Creighton – two games that should test them more and also give us a good look into where this Marquette team is at. Sure, UConn is a dominant team, but the 28-point loss is still something to take into account and it’d be nice to see a bounce-back game or two against better competition.
4. Providence Friars
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-)
Record: 18-9 (9-7)
Last two weeks: W at Xavier (79-75)
Next week: at #5 Marquette (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), vs. Villanova (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Quality wins: Marquette, Wisconsin, Creighton, at Seton Hall, Butler, St. John’s
Bad losses: N/A
As you can see, there isn’t much movement in this week’s Big East Basketball Power Rankings, and that’s because, for the most part, the top teams all proved themselves. For Providence, it came with a four-point win at Xavier, likely knocking out the Musketeers from at-large consideration. Freshman Rich Barron notched 10 points and that’s something to keep an eye on. Barron has stepped up in place of Bryce Hopkins and could help take this Providence team to new heights.
5. Seton Hall Pirates
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)
Record: 18-9 (11-5)
Last week: W vs. Butler (76-64)
Next week: at #12 Creighton (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), at #3 UConn (Mar. 3 – Noon)
Quality wins: UConn, Marquette, at Providence, Butler (x2), St. John’s (x2)
Bad losses: USC, Rutgers
The Pirates completed their second Big East sweep of the season, knocking off Butler inside a packed Prudential Center. SHU has now won five of their last six games, which is important considering their games this week. If Seton Hall can steal one of them, they should be about as close as you can be to an NCAA Tournament lock. Otherwise, closing out with home wins against Villanova and DePaul will be extra important.
6. St. John’s Red Storm
Last week’s ranking: 9 (+3)
Record: 16-12 (8-9)
Last week: W at Georgetown (90-85), W vs. #15 Creighton (80-66)
Next week: at Butler (Feb. 28 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Creighton, Providence, Villanova (x2), Utah, Butler
Bad losses: N/A
St. John’s saw Creighton celebrating from an upset over UConn and took advantage of the post-win syndrome. It’s clearly the Red Storm’s best win of the season and one that can carry a lot of weight when comparing bubble teams’ resumes. Still, like the other Big East teams on the bubble, the work isn’t finished yet. A sweep of Butler would work wonders.
7. Villanova Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)
Record: 15-12 (8-8)
Last two weeks: W vs. Butler (72-62), L at #1 UConn (78-54)
Next week: vs. Georgetown (Feb. 27 – 6:30 p.m.), at Providence (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Quality wins: at Creighton, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Providence, Seton Hall, Butler
Bad losses: at Penn, St. Joe’s, Drexel
With their backs against the wall and tournament hopes dwindling, Villanova picked up a crucial win over Butler. I still think, with those three bad losses, the Wildcats are further away from the Big Dance than the bracketology will say. Of course, their out-of-conference wins will tell a different story. Still, for me, taking care of Georgetown and sweeping Providence would be massive.
8. Butler Bulldogs
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-2)
Record: 16-12 (7-10)
Last two weeks: L at Villanova (72-62), L at Seton Hall (76-64)
Next week: vs. St. John’s (Feb. 28 – 8:30 p.m.), at DePaul (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Quality wins: at Marquette, at Creighton, Texas Tech, Boise State, Providence
Bad losses: N/A
Hard to believe that two weeks ago, the Bulldogs were third in the Big East Basketball Power Rankings. Now, they’re eighth and it’s about the worst time to take a tumble. Of course, it’s worth noting both games were on the road and Butler’s already done enough road damage to prove they can win away from Hinkle Fieldhouse. But when trying to impress the committee, a four-game losing streak in late February won’t do you any favors. They can’t waste any more time. Going 2-0 this week is a must to stay in the thick of the at-large picture.
9. Georgetown Hoyas
Last week’s ranking: 10 (+1)
Record: 9-18 (2-14)
Last week: L vs. St. John’s (90-85), W at DePaul (77-76)
Next week: at Villanova (Feb. 27 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: Holy Cross
I’m going to have some fun here and move Georgetown up a spot after giving St. John’s a run for their money and then ESCAPING DePaul in Chicago. Was it pretty? No, but winning matters and it’s nice to see the Hoyas end a brutal 11-game losing streak.
10. Xavier Musketeers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (-2)
Record: 13-14 (7-9)
Last week: L vs. Providence (79-75), L at #7 Marquette (88-64)
Next week: vs. DePaul (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), at Georgetown (Mar. 2 – 7:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Saint Mary’s, at Providence, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, Villanova, St. John’s
Bad losses: Oakland, Delaware
Do I think Xavier is worse than Georgetown? No, but power rankings take into account how your team is playing at that point in time. When it comes down to it, the Musketeers have lost four games in a row and two of those have been by 18 and 24 points. Good news! With games against the Blue Demons and Hoyas this week, the Musketeers can prove they don’t belong in the Big East Basketball Power Rankings cellar.
11. DePaul Blue Demons
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-)
Record: 3-24 (0-16)
Last week: L at #7 Marquette (105-71), L vs. Georgetown (77-76)
Next week: at Xavier (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.), vs. Butler (Mar. 2 – Noon)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: Purdue Fort Wayne, Long Beach State, Northern Illinois, Georgetown (x2)
It’s somewhat nice to know DePaul can hang in there with a conference foe, even if it is Georgetown. But boy is it hard to watch. A missed layup in the closing seconds is the most DePaul way to lose a game, especially a game on FS1 where Big East nation is rooting for the Blue Demons to finally pull out a win. Their chances at finishing with at least four wins this season are now next to none.