By: Spencer McCraw

It’s February now, and it’s starting to feel like every game is a must win as the top teams race to the top of the Big East. Right now Xavier and Marquette both sit atop the league with 11-2 in conference records, while Providence (9-3) and Creighton (9-3) are right on their heels. With eight games to go, let’s take a look at who’s trending in the right direction. 

Xavier

No Zach Freemantle, no problem. With the centerpiece of Sean Miller’s offense out for at least a month with a left foot injury, there are a lot of questions surrounding the team going forward. If their overtime victory over no. 17 Providence is any sign of things to come, then the Musketeers will be just fine. 

The other stars stepped up in a big way to fill the void left by Freemantle. Jack Nunge, Souley Boum and Colby Jones looked otherworldly, as they willed their team to the win at the Cintas Center – each going for 20 points. A 25-point drubbing over a struggling St. John’s yesterday only helps the case that the Musketeers may weather the storm of Big East play.

Xavier has one of the easiest remaining schedules in the conference, so they should be able to hold their position atop the conference even with the absence of one half of their dynamic duo in the frontcourt.

Next Wednesday’s match at no. 14 Marquette has game-of-the-year potential written all over it, as two of the most prolific offenses in the country will face off against each other. 

Marquette 

I’d like to issue a formal apology to Tyler Kolek. I egregiously omitted him off of the Big East Player of the Year list.

That was a mistake. 

During the Golden Eagle’s current five game win streak, Kolek has been averaging 16.6 ppg and 7.6 apg. Over the past two weeks, there haven’t been many players in the country that have been playing better than the sophomore guard. 

Even as the highest ranked team in the conference – currently boasting the number one offense in the country – Marquette still feels underrated. If that is somehow possible, I implore you to buy stock now. This is a well-rounded team being coached by one of the nation’s best, and they are poised to make a deep run into March. 

I would say that this team – out of any in the conference – has the best chance to represent the Big East in Houston. 

Providence 

Ed Cooley’s done it again. The Grit and Grind Friars are sitting one game back from first place in the conference and could easily make a charge for back-to-back regular season titles. Wednesday’s two-point overtime loss to Xavier was a tough loss, but there is a lot to build on from it as well. 

Ed Croswell was able to be the bully down low that he can be every game – bringing home 21 points and nine rebounds. Noah Locke also provided pivotal scoring – adding 22 points. 

Jared Bynum has been a key factor as of late. Coming off the bench, the senior guard provides much needed veteran leadership and efficient scoring. His second half eruption of 17 points against Villanova shows just how impactful he can be. 

Cooley is better than almost any coach in the nation at getting his guys to buy into his message. Culture is everything at Providence, and the way the Friars have been playing recently gives me hope that they’ll be able to repeat their success from last season. 

Creighton

This might be the most dangerous team in the country right now. After falling off the map early, the Bluejays were able to retool and get healthy away from the national spotlight, which has helped them tremendously. 

Their dismantling of Xavier last Saturday was a prime example of what Creighton is capable of night in and night out. Everyone of the starters scored in double figures – with a near triple double from Nembhard. They played fast, smart, and physically, which is what Coach McDermott wants to see from his team. A five-point win over Villanova yesterday has now given them six straight in Big East play – a bad sign for the rest of the conference.

If they are able to keep playing at this level, then the Bluejays are going to be a TERRIFYING seven seed in the big dance. 

UConn

Remember when they were no. 2? That felt like a completely different team than the one we’re seeing now. While the regular season crown is out of the question for the Huskies, I still have faith that this team will be able to catch fire at the Garden and may be able to steal the tournament title. 

However, they were tied with 6-18 Georgetown at half yesterday.

Seton Hall

It’s a long shot, but man wouldn’t it be cool to see the Pirates make a charge in the Big East tournament in order to secure a bid for the Big Dance?