Big East Basketball Rankings: Marquette holds strong, middle muddles

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 12: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles reacts with Joey Hauser #22 of the Marquette Golden Eagles after scoring against the DePaul Blue Demons at Wintrust Arena on February 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 20: Diallo of the Providence Friars attempts. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

10. DePaul Blue Demons

DePaul has clearly been an improved team so far this season and that is why it is hard to once again put them in last place. Yet, they have now dropped three consecutive games and sit at just 5-9 in conference play. Thankfully, they have arguably the easiest closing schedule of anyone in the conference and that could help them find a way back near the middle. On the whole, I think that this has been a successful season for DePaul and the program could be starting a bit of a resurgence. And while I know that they are losing vital pieces in Max Strus, Femi Olujobi, and Eli Cain to graduation this offseason, there will be plenty of talent returning and coming in for the future.

DePaul’s has been quite surprising so far and they have a legit shot to finish above-.500 over the course of an entire season for the first time since 2006-07. They are currently 13-12 on the year. Looking ahead to the future, the Blue Demons have to be excited about the potential for their current sophomore class. Paul Reed, most notably, is emerging as one of the conference’s most underrated players and one with a tremendous ceiling. Watch out for DePaul to continue making moves.

9. Providence Friars

This has definitely been a disappointing season so far for Providence. Unlike prior years under head coach Ed Cooley, the Friars are not in the NCAA Tournament conversation at this point in time and that just seems…wrong. Even though the team has dealt with its fair share of injuries so far this season, they just have never really been able to find a rhythm. Somehow, though, Providence was able to complete a season sweep over St. John’s by taking them down at home in their latest matchup.

With all of this said, though, I would not be surprised if Providence makes a run in the Big East Tournament. Ed Cooley and Co. have seemingly always been successful at Madison Square Garden and this is a team that nobody should take lightly in the win-or-go-home tournament. Watch out for the Friars to potentially catch fire and scare some power conference bubble teams a bit.

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