The dog days of the college basketball season are over and as the calendar turns to February it is a sprint to the postseason and there might be no bigger week of the year in the Big East Conference.
The league had been scrutinized for most of its non-conference slate, and deservedly so, after teams struggled to find its footing and it looked like only three teams were going to make the NCAA Tournament.
Now, there is a chance for five teams to earn bids into March Madness and this week will provide high drama across the conference as many other teams around the country will be looking for the results.
Everything begins on Tuesday as St. John’s hosts Marquette and finishes on Sunday when Villanova hosts Xavier.
After a hiatus from the Big East power rankings, they return as February begins and an incredible week of basketball is set to commence.
1. St. John’s Red Storm (19-3, 10-1 Big East)
There has been no bigger surprise in the Big East this season than the St. John’s Red Storm, who hold a one game lead for first place in the regular season standings.
The Johnnies have won in a multitude of ways this season – doing it with offense, defense, playing from behind, and playing from ahead. It’s a great quality to have for a team that is looking to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
However, depth can be a concern for this team, and it will play two games in four days this week against two of the best teams the league has to offer in Marquette and UConn. Rick Pitino will have his squad ready for the challenge and a pair of victories would create the biggest national buzz Queens has seen since the playing days of Chris Mullin.
THIS WEEK: vs. Marquette (Tuesday) and at UConn (Friday)