The Big East has lost a number of meaningful games early in its non-conference schedule and there could be some time for concern around the conference.
In the meantime, we rank the league's top teams through two weeks of basketball
1. UConn Huskies (4-0)
This week: 89-62 Win vs. Columbia, 86-84 Win vs. No.7 BYU (Boston)
After cruising to blowout win early in the week, the Huskies were faced with their biggest test yet on Saturday night against No. 7 BYU. UConn held on for a narrow victory and were able to stave off a second half comeback for a win in a marquee matchup.
Shooting 40-percent from deep as a team, has unlocked their offensive attack. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. has made major improvements from a season ago, averaging 20 points and nine rebounds while also being a defense anchor collecting almost three blocks per night.
2. St. John's Red Storm (2-1)
This week: 93-60 Win vs. William & Mary
St. John's struggled in the first half against an inferior William & Mary squad before exploding for a 54 point second half offensive onslaught. Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling was key on both ends of the floor, collecting four steals while also racking up 13 points.
Darling was notably absent from the Red Storm's home loss against then No. 15 Alabama last week, a game where the Crimson Tide's talented guards dominated offensively. It's still early, but Darling may be emerging as the lead guard on both ends of the floor that Rick Pitino is looking for.
3. Georgetown Hoyas (4-0)
This week: 83-70 Win vs. Binghamton, 79-74 Win vs. Clemson
Year three of the Ed Cooley era has started with a bang for the Hoyas who are rolling at 4-0.
After a rough shooting night versus Binghamton, a big win against a solid Clemson squad warrants this ranking. Georgetown is quickly emerging as the team that could slot into the third best in the conference behind the two powerhouses above.
Arizona transfer KJ Lewis was exceptional in the Clemson win, with 26 points and adding five steals on the defensive end. St. John's transfer Vince Iwuchukwu has anchored the interior defense and posted just under 12 points per night.
4. Creighton Blue Jays (2-1)
This week: 90-63 Loss at No. 19 Gonzaga, 84-45 Win Vs. Maryland Eastern Shore
After a competitive first half, the Blue Jays got punched in the mouth in the second half against No. 19 Gonzaga. The shooting struggles as a team were a problem against Gonzaga, but were also a trend in the prior two games.
Charlotte transfer Nik Graves has shot the three at just a 9.1-percent clip over the first three games. Graves and the rest of this team will have to work out the offensive struggles if the Blue Jays want to be able to compete at a high level.
5. Villanova Wildcats (3-1)
This week: 94-60 Win ws. Sacred Heart, 87-77 Win vs. Duquesne
Villanova had a solid week, blowing out Sacred Heart and scratching out a win versus Duquesne.
James Madison transfer Bryce Lindsay has looked like a star so far, averaging 23 points a night while shooting the lights out from deep. The Wildcats were picked to finish seventh in the Big East preseason polling but have played above that rank so far.
Overall, a solid start in year one of the Kevin Willard era.
6. Marquette Golden Eagles (3-2)
This week: 89-49 Win vs. Little Rock, 89-82 Loss Vs. Maryland
Shaka Smart's reluctance to utilize the transfer portal looks worse and worse every day. A home loss versus a Maryland team picked to finish toward the bottom of the Big Ten is rough.
The steady improvement of senior guard Chase Ross has continued, making a huge jump to averaging over 20 points per game. Ross is the main focus for the opposition after playing a supporting role in years past.
The dilemma the Golden Eagles face is if anyone will step up and become a viable second option to Ross. If not, this team could be in trouble and find themselves unable to compete against superior competition.
7. Providence Friars (2-2)
This week: 106-81 Win vs. Pennsylvania, 97-88 Loss at Colorado
A road loss to Colorado bumps the Friars down all the way to number seven.
There's still is a lot to like here for Providence as freshmen Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones look extremely promising through the first four games. Vanderbilt transfer Jason Edwards has lived up to expectation, averaging just under 20 points per game.
The offensive side of the ball has not been the problem for Providence. This team has to get better defensive results if they want to compete in some capacity this year.
8. Butler Bulldogs (3-1)
This week: 98-66 Win vs. Chicago State, 87-85 Loss at SMU
Butler was faced with their first real test this week on the road against SMU and despite taking a lead into halftime, the Bulldogs coughed it up in the final twenty minutes.
A close loss against solid SMU team shows some promise for this team. Prior to the SMU loss, Butler faced minimal competition in all three wins. Thad Matta's squad has a big week ahead facing two power conference teams in South Carolina and Virginia.
9. Seton Hall Pirates (4-0)
This week: 82-59 Win vs. Fairfield, 70-58 Win vs. Monmouth
Seton Hall being undefeated does count for at least something. The Pirates have been led by Elon transfer Tajuan Simpkins and Merrimack transfer Adam Clark.
Clark has played a solid role as the floor general dishing out 4.3 assists per night. Simpkins has shot the three ball well en route to averaging 12 points per game. The Pirates were picked to finish last in the conference preseason poll, but have turned a few heads so far with this undefeated start.
10. Xavier Musketeers (2-2)
This week: 87-68 Loss vs. Santa Clara, 81-62 Loss at Iowa
The start of the Richard Pitino era at Xavier has not been great. Getting blown out in a buy game versus Santa Clara is not a good look, despite the high expectations for the Broncos, which was followed by a decisive loss at Iowa.
The offense has been a struggle, averaging just 67.5 points a game. Their two wins came by barely squeaking by Marist and Le Moyne. This team has a lot of work to do, the results so far have been flat out terrible.
11. DePaul Blue Demons (2-2)
This week: 66-53 Loss vs. Buffalo, 81-79 Loss vs. Northwestern
DePaul find themselves in last this week for dropping a buy game against Buffalo where they only managed 53 points.
A Big East team has no business losing a game to a team picked to finish 11th in the MAC. Despite that, the Blue Demons looked much better against a power conference team in Northwestern later in the week.
Evidently, there is still a lot of improvement needed for this program to be competitive in this conference.