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Bracketology: Bubble Watch (Building a resume and the bubble as it is)

By Lukas Harkins

Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) and guard Maurice Watson Jr. (10) talk during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Creighton won 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) and guard Maurice Watson Jr. (10) talk during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Creighton won 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: N/A

Some Perspiration: Creighton, Villanova, Butler, Seton Hall, Xavier

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Providence, Marquette

Creighton Bluejays, 12-0: Creighton entered this season as a top-25 team, but not many people expected them to start 12-0, myself included. That win over Wisconsin was a statement early, as the Bluejays proved that they can beat anybody in the country. The top four in the Big East is likely going to be a close battle throughout the season, but right now, Creighton is tied for first and is looking to take that “tie” away with a win over ‘Nova on New Years’ Eve.

Quality wins: vs. NC State, vs. Wisconsin

Bad losses: see record above.

Missed opportunities: again, see record above.

Up next: vs. Seton Hall (12/28), vs. Villanova (12/31)

Villanova Wildcats, 12-0: Villanova is good. Like really good. Again. This should come as a surprise to no one. They won the entire NCAA Tournament last year and are the number one team in the country in addition to being the number one overall seed in my Bracketology. They bring four quality wins into conference play, which, I might add, is 1/3 of their games. They’re undefeated and ready to wreak havoc on the Big East and the rest of the nation.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Temple, @ Purdue, vs. Notre Dame

Bad losses: see record above.

Missed opportunities: again, see record above.

Up next: vs. DePaul (12/28), @ Creighton (12/31)

Butler Bulldogs, 11-1: Butler is being listed as a surprise team by just about everyone, including a fellow Busting Brackets writer, but should they be? Sure, Butler is a small school in terms of enrollment, but they are no longer a small basketball school. This team is the real deal and the numbers prove it. They’ve been in eight of the last 10 tournaments and have reached two National Championship games. The Dawgs, led by Kelan Martin, were stellar during the non-conference slate and could easily finish in the top-10 by the season’s end if they keep their play up.

Quality wins: vs. Arizona, vs. Cincinnati, vs. Northwestern, vs. Indiana, @ Utah

Bad losses: @ Indiana State

Missed opportunities: None

Up next: @ St. John’s (12/29), vs. Providence (1/1)

Seton Hall Pirates, 10-2: Seton Hall has won every single game that they should have, except the game against Stanford. The wins listed below more than make up for that loss, and in reality, Seton Hall is the true surprise from the Big East so far. A 10-2 record against quality opponents makes them a dark horse to make a splash with some big wins in the coming months.

Quality wins: vs. South Carolina, vs. Rutgers, vs. California, @ Iowa

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Florida, vs. Stanford

Up next: @ Creighton (12/28), vs. Marquette (1/1)

Xavier Musketeers, 10-2: Widely regarded as the number two team from the Big East in the preseason, Xavier has met expectations. They have a couple of nice wins and some tough losses. It is not Xavier’s fault that they sit in fourth in the conference to this point. It is just a testament to how good Butler and Creighton have been. With Myles Davis hopefully coming back soon, they’re definitely still in contention for a Big East title.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Clemson

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: @ Baylor, @ Colorado

Up next: vs. Providence (12/28), @ Georgetown (12/31)

Providence Friars, 10-3: Another surprise, the defending Big East Tournament champion Providence is off to a good start. They got destroyed against Boston College and could’ve used a couple other wins, but their victory over Rhode Island was impressive as a quality win early in the season. They’re currently in the bracket, but that could change in an instant. The Friars run the gauntlet in their first two Big East games. They take on Xavier and then Butler in back-to-back road games. Win one of those, and the team will be in pretty good shape. Lose both, and Providence will need to climb back into the tournament.

Quality wins: vs. Rhode Island

Bad losses: @ Boston College

Missed opportunities: @ Ohio State, vs. Virginia

Up next: @ Xavier (12/28), @ Butler (1/1)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 9-3: Marquette’s strength of schedule was weak, as they only played three truly quality opponents. They lost all three of these games, however. Their best win came on the road against Georgia, and that isn’t exactly what you would call a marquee victory. Marquette has a lot of chances coming up though, so Golden Eagle fans can still have some hope.

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Michigan

Up next: vs. Georgetown (12/28), @ Seton Hall (1/1)

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