Big East basketball power rankings shake up as top teams lose stunners
The bottom half of the league had the attention of the Big East basketball community during the early part of the season for its struggles, but now that focus has shifted to some of the top teams in the conference for its losses this week.
There were shocking results throughout the weekend as the Big East enters a really important time in its non-conference schedule as teams will play in its multi-team events during this week in hopes to boost the overall standing of the conference.
St. John's and Seton Hall completed its tournaments while UConn, Creighton, and Providence enter loaded fields in high profile showcases with hopes of winning a championship.
However, there has been movement throughout the Big East power rankings as we get to truly learn who these teams are.
1. UConn Huskies (4-0)
The champs are still the champs but is it fair to say that no one really knows how good this UConn team can be?
Dan Hurley's team has defeated Sacred Heart, New Hampshire, Le Moyne, and East Texas A&M -- not exactly murder's row. But the competition jumps quickly for the Huskies beginning Monday in the Maui Invitational where it could potentially have to go through Memphis, Michigan State, and North Carolina or Auburn for a title.
There is only one 'buy game' left on the schedule this season for UConn -- Saturday night against Maryland Eastern Shore so it will not be long before the world knows how good the two time champions are this season.
2. Marquette Golden Eagles (6-0)
Again, no disrespect to UConn but Marquette has been the most impressive team in the Big East this season -- and it hasn't been close.
The Golden Eagles aren't playing in a multi-team event this year but Shaka Smart built a schedule that was going to teach him a lot about his team quickly, and the lesson learned is that they are really good.
All the Golden Eagles have done so far is travel to Maryland and beat the Terrapins, defeat Purdue at home, and fly to the Bahamas and handle Georgia on a neutral court in three consecutive games. They will get two breathers this week against Stonehill and Western Carolina before another daunting three game stretch on the road against Iowa State, at home against Wisconsin, and traveling to Dayton.
Kam Jones and David Joplin are a dynamic duo -- maybe the best in the conference -- and it has shown early in Milwaukee.