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

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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 11: Coach Wright of the Wildcats yells. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. player. 479. . . . Villanova Wildcats

Villanova picked up a pair of home wins during this past week over Georgetown and DePaul. The latter of these contests went to overtime as this was yet another example of the Wildcats not having an easy time pulling away with victories. Nonetheless, head coach Jay Wright’s team sits at 13-3 (3-1 BE) on the young season and looks poised to compete for the conference title. Villanova has displayed significant defensive improvement over the past month and its offense is still as potent as ever.

Leading the way has been sophomore forward Saddiq Bey. A matchup nightmare for most opponents, Bey has the ability to score at all three levels and is the main offensive threat for the Wildcats. He poured in 33 against the Hoyas and then 18 against the Blue Demons during this past week. Collin Gillespie also averages 15+ points per game alongside him while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a constant double-double threat.

Villanova hasn’t shot the ball particularly well during conference play yet but it is bound to turn a corner in that regard soon. This roster is too stacked with shooters to remain at just 31.4% in the Big East. The Wildcats have flown a bit under the radar compared to normal this season but they are still a very dangerous, talented, and well-coached team capable of being named the regular-season champion in the conference.

Their first battle against another top-tier team will come on Jan. 21 when the Wildcats host Butler.

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