We’re roughly a 3rd of the best way by means of the Massive East convention season and a transparent massive three of Marquette, Connecticut and St. John’s has emerged. They’re considerably protected bets to make the NCAA Event.
One recreation separates the three. Marquette remained undefeated after beating DePaul Tuesday night time, whereas St. John’s, which held off Georgetown, 63-58, and UConn have just one loss, slender setbacks on the highway to Creighton and Villanova, respectively.
The three lead the league in each nationwide rating metric, from the NET to KenPom.com to Bart Torvik.
There are additionally Quad 1 alternatives at house and on the highway for the remainder of the convention, for the reason that trio are additionally ranked within the high 30 of the NET, the sorting device the choice committee depends upon.
They’ve but to face each other, conferences that can virtually certainty resolve the regular-season champion.
The primary such showdown will happen on Feb. 1 when No. 7 Marquette hosts No. 14 Connecticut. That very same week, on Feb. 4, Marquette will go to St. John’s on the Backyard and the Johnnies will then journey to Storrs, Conn., three days later.
A giant few days for the highest tier of the convention.
Just a few different takeaways on the state of the Massive East:
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
Villanova is harmful
The crew that dropped November video games to Columbia, Virginia and St. Joseph’s has come a great distance in a couple of months.
The Wildcats have the look of an NCAA Event crew, even when these losses might forestall them from getting there.
They’ve gained eight of their previous 10 video games, with the lone losses at Creighton and St. John’s.
That features a house victory over UConn.
Eric Dixon is the nation’s main scorer, Miami switch Wooga Poplar has hit his stride, and one other switch, Jhamir Brickus of La Salle, matches this roster effectively as a pass-first level guard who could make pictures from deep.
The Wildcats will want an enormous league season to go dancing.
Three wins the remainder of the best way towards St. John’s, Marquette and Connecticut with out one other unhealthy loss might get them in.
In the mean time, I imagine they’re the fourth-best crew within the convention, barely forward of Creighton.
Seton Corridor is not any pushover
The 6-10 general document and 1-4 league mark might not say a lot, however Seton Corridor is getting higher.
Sophomore Isaiah Coleman is turning into a difference-maker, averaging 21.2 factors and 5.8 rebounds in his final seven contests, and freshman guard Jahseem Felton has been a vivid spot of late.
The Pirates have misplaced six of seven, however outdoors of the rout at Xavier, they had been in all the opposite contests.
This seems like a crew that may damage somebody’s resume, like Villanova or Creighton.
Will historical past repeat itself?
Final yr, the Massive East obtained solely three NCAA Event bids, its fewest since 1993.
Seton Corridor, Windfall and St. John’s had been all snubs. It’s not loopy to suppose it might occur once more.
Creighton is firmly on the bubble, with Villanova proper behind the Bluejays. Each are in good spots with their NET rankings, Villanova at No. 51 and Creighton 54.
Finally, I feel Creighton will get in. They own residence wins over Kansas, St. John’s and Villanova and don’t have a foul loss.
Creighton’s 2-5 document away from house is worrisome, and the Bluejays will have to be higher on the highway to punch their ticket.
One issue that can assist the Massive East: The Mountain West and ACC are executed.
Final yr, these two leagues despatched a mixed 11 groups to the match. That gained’t occur this March.