5. Butler Bulldogs (7-2)
Butler’s win over Mississippi State continues to age well after the Bulldogs demolished Pittsburgh in the ACC vs. SEC Challenge this week but Thad Matta’s team got walloped by Houston on Saturday.
The ‘Dawgs will have to lick its wounds quickly with a neutral site matchup against Wisconsin before conference play arrives.
6. Xavier Musketeers (7-2)
Xavier gave away its Big 12 Challenge game against TCU, leading by two points with 1:25 to play before fouling a 3-point shooter committing a turnover, allowing a layup, and committing another turnover.
A game in which they trailed by eight at halftime was there for the taking but its late game execution was poor and now have dropped two of its last three games.
Like most of the teams in the conference, Xavier will play a huge game on Saturday against rival Cincinnati on the road. If Sean Miller’s team can send a message with a victory because back-to-back games against UConn and Marquette will begin conference play.
7. Providence Friars (6-4)
Providence had the chance to be one of the biggest risers of the week after Bryce Hopkins made his season debut and everything clicked on all cylinders for the Friars in a demolition of BYU at home.
All Kim English’s team had to do was go on the road and defeat rival Rhode Island, but it couldn’t do it. An 8-point second half lead quickly went up in smoke and questions remain about the reliance on the 3-point shot.
Providence begins Big East play on Tuesday night against DePaul, a game that will reveal a lot about both teams. This is as important of a week for the Friars that they could have all season.