Conference play has officially started in the Big East, with Butler beating Providence in the first Big East game of the season. More so than any other conference, it will be very interesting to see if anyone in the conference can separate from the muddled middle of the pack. It will be required for the conference to get more than 3 NCAA Tournament bids. 

1. UConn

It was a big week for the Huskies, going 2-0 in tests against Florida and Texas. Malachi Smith is turning into an X-factor off the bench who provides an offensive punch. And Braylon Mullins is coming into his own as the next great UConn shotmaker. 

2. St. Johns

Who is the point guard for this team? I honestly can’t tell. But does it even matter? If Oziyah Sellers is going to shoot as well as he did against Iona, and the offense runs at a breakneck tempo, a real point guard may not be needed. It’ll be interesting to see if this catches up with them. 

3. ButlerButler Bulldogs guard Finley Bizjack (11) celebrates Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during a game between the Butler Bulldogs and the Providence Friars at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Butler Bulldogs defeated the Providence Friars in double overtime, 113-110.

The Bulldogs were the first to start 1-0 in conference play, defeating Providence in overtime on Saturday. What makes the win even more impressive is that the Bulldogs are playing without starting point guard Jayden Jackson. Getting him back healthy could potentially help this team make it to the NCAA Tournament.

4. Villanova

The Wildcats got completely throttled by Michigan last week, but who isn’t getting throttled by Michigan right now? Duke Brennan has been a great addition to the frontcourt, but he simply did not hold up well against Michigan’s trio of elite frontcourt players. Acaden Lewis continues to impress.

5. Seton HallDec 6, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Adam Clark (0) dribbles away from Kansas State Wildcats guard Nate Johnson (34) during the second half at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

The Pirates won the unofficial state championship of New Jersey, defeating Rutgers 81-59 on Saturday. This team can play some serious defense and is truly taking on the personality of their coach, Shaheen Holloway. You might beat this team in the basketball game, but you won’t beat them in a fistfight.

6. Creighton

The Bluejays’ at-large hopes took a major hit when they lost to Kansas State on Saturday. They now sit at 5-5, with no bad losses, but also no notable wins, heading into conference play, where the opportunities for notable wins will be few and far between for Gregg McDermott’s crew.

7. Marquette

I have faith that Shaka Smart will be able to turn this ship around. The Golden Eagles have no bad losses, and a very talented backcourt with Chase Ross and Nijel James, and now get back a healthy Sean Jones for conference play.

8. Providence

This team has no business being as good offensively as they are, and that ability to flat-out score will keep Kim English’s bunch in a lot of games. But they have to learn how to get defensive stops, or it is going to be a long, long Big East season.

9. XavierXavier Musketeers head coach Richard Pitino gestures to a player in the second half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and Missouri State Bears, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Musketeers won 75-57.

Richard Pitino’s first year in Cincinnati is not likely to end with an NCAA Tournament berth, but it’s not out of the question. Guys like Tre Carroll play very hard, and that level of effort is going to give them chances to beat the upper-echelon teams in the conference.

10. Georgetown

The Hoyas may boast the best all-around backcourt in the Big East with Malik Mack and KJ Lewis. But man, the roster after that is not all that deep, and the lack of size continues to be an issue with Vince Iwuchukwu still out.

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