Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball Rankings: Villanova, Marquette creating distance

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after dunking the ball against the Seton Hall Pirates in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Seton Hall 80-52. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 27: Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree #21 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after dunking the ball against the Seton Hall Pirates in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Villanova defeated Seton Hall 80-52. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 20: Diallo of the Friars attempts. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 20: Diallo of the Friars attempts. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

8. Providence Friars

Record: 13-8 (3-5 Big East)

Providence has the potential to be the most dangerous lower-rated team in the Big East this season. Due to their lack of elite wins (only one over a KenPom top-60 team), it seems like the Friars are a longshot to reach the NCAA Tournament but they are far more talented than their record. Head coach Ed Cooley is still one of the better coaches in the conference and they will be a tough team to beat as long as A.J. Reeves is healthy. His shooting ability takes the entire team to a new level.

Looking ahead, I think that the future is bright for Providence to compete near the top of the conference. The Friars’ freshman class has impressed me so far this season and there is no reason to believe that Coach Cooley will not continue to recruit at a fairly high level. Providence will be right back into the top half of the conference soon.

7. Georgetown Hoyas

Record: 13-7 (3-4 Big East)

Head coach Patrick Ewing has done a relatively solid job in his second year at the helm. The Hoyas are definitely a longshot to reach the NCAA Tournament but the program still seems to be on a positive trajectory. Coach Ewing, in my opinion, is one of the better strategic head coaches in the conference and he is already off to a strong start on the recruiting trail. And with Mac McClung, James Akinjo, and Josh LeBlanc already posting strong freshman seasons, it is easy to see why the future looks bright.

Georgetown, though, will need to do a better job protecting its home court. The Hoyas are just 1-3 in front of their home crowd in conference play this season and it will be difficult to move up in the rankings. without winning home games consistently. Hopefully the team will use their latest win, which came on the road against St. John’s, to gain momentum and move up the rankings.

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