The Big East enters mid-December with a clear frontrunner, several interesting risers, and a handful of programs searching for answers. Nonconference play has offered some strong data points, showing which teams are ready for the conference grind and which still have major flaws to address.
These power rankings show where every team stands right now, based strictly on early performance, resume strength, and trajectory heading into league play:
1. UConn Huskies 9-1
Dan Hurley still has a national title contender. Their resume is strong with a four-point loss to Arizona on there, but wins over Brigham Young, Illinois, Kansas and Florida. The Huskies are getting 15 points per game from Solo Ball and 10 per game from Silas Demary Jr. The Huskies are scoring 79.8 points per game, while continuing their trademark strong defense, allowing 61.7 per game. The Huskies get another big-time test as they battle Texas on Friday. The Huskies then open Big East play on Tuesday as they host the Butler Bulldogs.
2. St. John’s Red Storm 5-3
Rick Pitino’s squad has three early-season losses, but all have been to ranked teams. The first was a seven-point loss to Alabama. The Red Storm allowed 103 points in that game. The second came to Iowa State, one of the hottest teams in the country, by a point. The most recent loss was to Auburn, a game they would certainly like to have back. St. John’s has bounced back with a win over Ole Miss. The Storm will take on Iona on Saturday and then start their Big East slate on Tuesday as they battle DePaul.