Big East basketball: Mid-season recap, awards and Bracketology

Top half of the Big East

5. Providence 14-7 (5-3)

It’s very simple for the Friars. When healthy, they’re a very good team, evident by the four game winning streak they just recently had. It’s been awhile for everyone to get in the lineup, but this is an experienced and athletic bunch.

4. Seton Hall 16-5 (5-3)

Speaking of experience, there might not be a better trio of seniors than what the Pirates put out every night. While their record seems solid, the cornerstone of the program which was the defense has been inconsistent. Same with the offense, with Seton Hall scoring either 90 points or 65 points.

3. Creighton 17-5 (7-3)

The Blue Jays  suffered a huge loss just recently, with sophomore forward Martin Krampelj out for the season with an injury. He was the team’s leading rebounder, and fit well with Creighton’s pick and roll offense. That won’t stop the seventh ranked scoring offense from running up and down the court, which may be their only way of winning key games.

2. Xavier 19-3 (7-2)

Based on the upcoming schedule, there’s a great chance that the Musketeers can run the table in the regular season. They quietly just move along, and waiting for their rematch with Villanova. And speaking of the Wildcats, they certainly have great players, but Trevon Bluiett is one of the best players in the country, and should be getting talked about in that way.

1. Villanova 20-1 (7-1)

The Wildcats are one of a couple of teams to have six players average double figures, but did lose one of them in Phil Booth with a broken bone in his hand just recently. This team is not as deep as they’d like to be, but should be fine in the Big East against anyone outside of Xavier (unless they give up 100 to Butler again).