Big East Basketball: Final Team Grades and Rankings for 2017-18

3. Seton Hall 22-12 (10-8)

2017-18 postseason result: NCAA Tournament Second Round

Season Grade: B-

This was a good enough season for the Pirates, but with one of the best big men in the country combined with four leading senior scorers, this team needed to make the Sweet Sixteen at least.

Unfortunately, they got an eight seed and an early matchup with Kansas. That still would’ve been avoided had they not lost to Rutgers or Georgetown, as well as knock off one of the top two teams. This was a solid team that left a little more to be desired.

2. Xavier Musketeers 29-6 (15-3)

2017-18 postseason result: NCAA Tournament Second Round

Season Grade: A-

The was by far the best the Musketeers have looked since entering the Big East, winning their first regular season title. This was their best chance of reaching the exclusive Final Four, with a senior-laden roster on their hands.

It didn’t end that way for Xavier, failing to make the Sweet Sixteen as a one seed with a loss to Florida State. It was a bad ending to what was one of the best seasons in program history.

1. Villanova Wildcats 36-4 (14-4)

2017-18 postseason result: National Champions

Season Grade: A+

Ranked in the top five all season long, Villanova became the last team standing in college basketball, winning the team’s second national title in three years. Making it more impressive was that it was done without any true seniors on the roster.

But even the Wildcats had their moments of weakness, including losing four games in the Big East to squander the regular season title.

Next: Way Too Early Big East Rankings for 2018-19

However, like a champion would, Jay Wright’s team got it together to win the Big East Tournament and beat the three best teams in the Big 12 on their way to cutting down the final set of nets. Their season started out perfect and ended that way as well.