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Finals week: Early grades across the college basketball landscape

By Chris Stone

Nov 30, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears guard Manu Lecomte (20) dribbles the ball against Sam Houston State Bearkats guard Josh Delaney (15) in the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears guard Manu Lecomte (20) dribbles the ball against Sam Houston State Bearkats guard Josh Delaney (15) in the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) lays the ball up against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of the fist game at Prudential Center. Villanova won, 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) lays the ball up against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of the fist game at Prudential Center. Villanova won, 74-66. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bs: You’re almost there

Creighton Bluejays: Creighton added one of the nation’s best transfers in junior Marcus Foster this season. The 6-foot-3 guard is leading the team in scoring at 25.9 points per 40 minutes and has rediscovered his 3-point shot that helped him land on NBA radars as a freshman at Kansas State. Point guard Mo Watson has delivered as expected while Khyri Thomas and Justin Patton have turned into high quality role players alongside one of the country’s best backcourts. With Xavier struggling to start the season, the Bluejays look like a top two team in the Big East behind the returning national champion, Villanova.

Josh Hart: Speaking of the Wildcats, this ranking is probably unfair to Hart. At this stage in the season, the Villanova guard is the frontrunner to be the National Player of the Year. On two big occasions — at Purdue and against Notre Dame — he has put the Wildcats on his back and willed them to impressive victories as a primary scorer all while being one of the nation’s best perimeter defenders and helping facilitate the offense. The problem for Hart is that everyone knew he was going to be this type of player coming into the season. Even still, he’s exceeding expectations.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Head coach Mike Brey’s squad was picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the ACC before the season and received just six points in the preseason AP Top 25. Now at 9-1, the Irish have pushed their way into the rankings. As usual, Notre Dame features a highly efficient offense and a somewhat questionable defense. Seniors Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem have performed as well as expected while junior Bonzie Colson has been one of the most improved players in the country. At 6-foot-5, Colson is averaging 16.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game en route to putting the Irish in position to finish in the top third of the highly competitive ACC.