Big East Basketball Rankings: St. John's, Marquette vie for the top spot

Big East Basketball Rankings: St. John’s, Marquette vie for the top spot

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John's Red Storm reacts after a basket against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 08: Goodin #3 and Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers look on. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

10. DePaul Blue Demons

Record: 8-5 (0-2 Big East)

After starting the season relatively well and carrying hopes of escaping the conference’s cellar, DePaul has dropped its last three games, two of which in front of their home court. And while the Blue Demons have played just about everyone extremely close so far this year (four of their five losses by single-digits), but they have not figured out how to close games yet. With that said, though, this is a more dangerous team than their record gives them credit for.

DePaul can hang with just about anyone and they will be able to finish some games over the course of the next few months. I still believe that there is a reasonable chance the Blue Demons escape the bottom of the conference and a major reason for that is the play of star senior Max Strus. He is averaging 18.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game to lead the team on the offensive end.

10. Xavier Musketeers

Record: 9-6 (1-1 Big East)

Easily the most disappointing team in the Big East so far this season, in my opinion, Xavier has floundered to begin this season. Many thought that first-year head coach Travis Steele might struggle without the elite seniors from last season but it was hard to imagine this start to the season. In terms of overall record, the Musketeers currently stand at 9-6 and their best win to date came at a neutral-site against Illinois, who is ranked at No. 113 in the nation by KenPom.

If there has been a major right spot for the team so far this year, I would look to Paul Scruggs. A former top-100 recruit, the sophomore has emerged as a fairly strong offensive option. He might not be a “No. 1 scorer” but he is averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on shooting splits of .522/.457/.771. Hard to argue with how productive he has been during this season. It seems impossible to think but Xavier might already be out of NCAA Tournament consideration.

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