Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Butler, DePaul keep rising

Butler just keeps impressing with every single game so far this season. What else can I say? Seemingly with each game, the Dawgs find a different way to win. They are extremely disciplined on both ends of the floor, can score both inside and out, force turnovers and long possessions defensively, and feature a superstar guard. Based on the first few weeks of the season, Butler has asserted itself as a top-25 team in the nation and a legitimate contender to win the Big East title. It’s hard to deny that possibility given the resume that head coach LaVall Jordan and Co. have been able to compile so far.

Butler currently stands at 8-0 on the year and also holds four wins over KenPom top-100 opponents. Additionally, it appears as though the Dawgs have left all of last season’s weaknesses in the past as three of those four high-major victories have come away from home. Upperclassman leadership oozes out of this team, especially in the backcourt, and it feels like the Dawgs are on a mission. They have trailed in just 7.6% of their total minutes so far this season as they are coming out the locker room geared up for every game.

At the core of this success is Kamar Baldwin. One of the best guards in the entire nation, Baldwin has taken a significant leap as Butler’s No. 1 scoring option this season. Over the course of the Dawgs’ last six games (he was hurt for the first two), the senior leader has averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting .505/.415/.950 (FG/3P/FT%). His significant offseason work on refining his jump-shot form is already paying major dividends.

With all of this said, Butler’s competition level only continues to increase in non-conference play. Despite having faced Missouri, Stanford, and Ole Miss in back-to-back-to-back games, all away from home, the team now has to face Florida (H), Baylor (A), and Purdue (N) within the next four contests. Butler will be battle-tested by the time Big East play arrives.