By: Spencer McCraw

With Big East play officially underway, let’s take a look at how the teams stack up thus far this season. 

Tier 1:

UConn

It’s no surprise to see UConn up here alone. There are not many in the country that are better than the team which Dan Hurley has assembled, and each passing game shows why. Yes, the Huskies opened up their Big East play against Georgetown and seriously struggled down the stretch, but the game helped prove how deadly they can actually be.

When their best players struggled to hit shots, San Diego State transfer Joey Calcaterra stepped up and willed the Huskies to an 11-point victory. Dan Hurley is able to play a lineup nine guys deep, and that is going to prove to be the X-factor come March. 

Tier 2:

Marquette 

When Shaka Smart wins, we all win. It’s fun seeing Shaka bring a team back to national prominence like he has this year with his Golden Eagles. Sure, they just lost a double-overtime game to a solid Providence squad at the AMP, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still deserve to be ranked in the top-25.

After this loss, they will without a doubt fall out and relinquish their no. 24 ranking, but they will certainly be back in due time. Look ahead to January 11, when they host UConn at the Fiserv Forum in a game in which they will look to prove how good they really are. 

Xavier

As good as Marquette has been, Xavier has been just as good. While the Musketeers don’t have as impressive of an out of conference record, they have still only lost three games. Those three games were all to ranked teams, and they only lost those games by an average of four points.

Sean Miller has his boys playing well and unselfishly, yet they just really need to learn how to play stronger defense. 

Tier 3:

Villanova

Are the ‘Cats back? With Cam Whitmore back, ‘Nova has won 5 straight games, including a convincing win in their Big East opener against an 11-2 St. John’s squad. Villanova can prove a lot next week, as they travel to Storrs to face the no. 2 team in the country, the UConn Huskies, and then host no. 24 Marquette on Saturday. If they can come out with one or even two of these wins, they will move up to Tier 2. 

St. John’s 

The Johnnies are 11-2 and no is talking about that. Maybe their game against Villanova shows why. In their first test, St John’s failed to perform on many of the things that helped them during this hot start. The Red Storm still have a stifling defense that will help keep them in most games. 

Providence

After struggling a little early, I think Ed Cooley has Providence trending in the right direction, and Tuesday’s win against no. 24 Marquette was a perfect example of that. A lot of calls went the Friars way, but that’s what happens when you travel to the AMP – it’s one of the best home court environments in the conference. 

Creighton

I think it would be foolish to write off a Greg McDermott coached team after dropping six straight games. Once Kalkbrenner is back at full health, the offense will work itself out some more. 

Seton Hall

They lost their last two games to Providence and Seton Hall, and they kept it within five in both of those games. One of these close conference games is going to go their way. 

Butler

There’s been some good, and there’s been a lot of bad. They have a tough start to Big East play, losing by 22 to UConn, then traveling to Creighton, and finally Providence. 

Tier 4:

DePaul

Next game is against Creighton on Christmas. Maybe they can play the role of the Grinch against a struggling Bluejays squad. 

Georgetown

They kept it close with UConn, that’s something, right?