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Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Top tier emerging, Xavier plummeting

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Romaro Gill #35 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrate with teammates after scoring against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Romaro Gill #35 of the Seton Hall Pirates celebrate with teammates after scoring against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Seton Hall Pirates players react. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 15: Seton Hall Pirates players react. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Seton Hall has been firmly in the top tier for the past few weeks and it makes the move to No. 1 following a true road win over Butler. While the Dawgs still have a slightly better NCAA Tournament resume than the Pirates, these are power rankings and one team is playing just a touch better than the other right now. Butler and Seton Hall will likely swap spots at the top here a few times this season (Nova could join the fray as well) as fierce contenders for the Big East title.

With its recent road win over Butler, Seton Hall moved to 14-4 (5-0 BE) on the season. The Pirates have clearly improved over the past few weeks and are emerging as a legitimate threat for the Final Four (I would lump Butler in that tier as well). Myles Powell is a one-man wrecking machine offensively but there are a few other capable pieces around him. Additionally, their team defense is phenomenal. Romaro Gill is an absolute animal in the paint and Quincy McKnight is one of the better perimeter defenders in the conference.

There is no overwhelming favorite to win the Big East this season with Seton Hall likely battling with Butler and Villanova for the next two months. With that said, though, nobody in the conference is playing better basketball than the Pirates right now. A letdown performance is bound to occur at some point but, for the moment, Seton Hall is the only undefeated team in conference play and has already beaten Butler on the road.

The Pirates have earned the top spot this week.

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That concludes this look at my weekly Big East Basketball Power Rankings. Check back again next Thursday for another edition. There are bound to be more changes.

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