Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Seton Hall on top, Butler recovering
. Butler Bulldogs. 3. player. 472. .
Butler had been mired in a three-game losing streak at this time last week when my last Big East power rankings were released. Thankfully, though, the nationally-ranked Bulldogs responded in a big way over the past few days by securing back-to-back victories to get back on track.
Despite trailing at halftime of both games, the Dawgs showed flashes of what made them a great team in the first two months of the season. It was a Kamar Baldwin show in Butler’s win over Marquette and then the team’s defense showed out in the second half against Georgetown.
Neither of these victories was particularly easy for Butler but nor should they have been. Defeating Marquette at home and Georgetown on the road isn’t easy. This is especially true considering Butler played both games without arguably its second-most important player in Aaron Thompson, who has been listed as day-to-day with a wrist injury.
The team also lost sixth man Christian David for the season with an ACL tear and these were the first two contests with him out of the rotation.
On the whole, it’s hard to be anything but impressed by Butler in its last two games. With the victories, the Dawgs now sit at 17-4 (5-3 BE) on the season with four of their next five games coming at home. If they are to handle their business in Hinkle Fieldhouse, then they could remain a lurking contender for the conference title (if the top teams somehow stumble).
This is still a Top 25 team in the country.