Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Creighton rises on top in latest 2020-21 power rankings

By Salvador Lopez

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Marcus Zegarowski #11 of the Creighton Bluejays in action in the game against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Wintrust Arena on January 22, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 22: Marcus Zegarowski #11 of the Creighton Bluejays in action in the game against the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half at Wintrust Arena on January 22, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Big East Basketball Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Villanova Wildcats (14-3, 9-2 Big East)

Villanova started out conference play strong at 6-0 before being handed their first loss on the road at St. John’s 70-59.

In both conference losses against St. John’s and Creighton, two things are common. The first was that Villanova struggled shooting (20-for-62 against St. John’s and 24-for-64 against Creighton). The second was that both the Red Storm and Bluejays shot well from the outside (10-for-23 from three-point range for St. John’s and 12-for-26 from three-point range by Creighton).

During their last game on Saturday, Villanova was able to bounce back and defeat UConn 68-60. The Wildcats’ strength this season is limiting turnovers and they were able to win the turnover battle on Saturday. Villanova had just eight turnovers against UConn. Currently, the Wildcats are tied for first nationally with Wisconsin averaging nine turnovers per game.

A big reason why Villanova limits the turnovers is due to having a point guard that can take care of the basketball and set up his teammates. Senior point guard, Collin Gillespie (14.5 ppg, 4.9 apg), is totaling 83 assists to 26 turnovers this season. He is currently in the Top 25 nationally with a 3.19 assist-turnover ratio.

Leading Villanova in scoring this season is sophomore forward, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg). Robinson-Earl tallied his third double-double of the season on Saturday against UConn. He scored 17 points and 11 rebounds in his matchup against the Huskies.

Villanova has four games remaining on their schedule before the Big East Conference Tournament. The Wildcats will host St. John’s on Tuesday night. The Red Storm handed the Wildcats their first conference loss on February 3rd.

Villanova has two road games left on the schedule at Butler on Sunday, February 28th and at Providence during their season finale on Saturday, March 6th. However, the biggest game remaining on the Wildcats schedule is a rematch for potentially first place in the conference hosting Creighton on Wednesday, March 3rd.

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