Big East basketball power rankings 2020: Can anyone challenge Villanova?

Preseason Big East power rankings where Villanova attempts to win another conference title.

People didn’t pay much attention to the Big East last season but the league quietly produced an excellent year. The conference had three legitimate title contenders in Seton Hall, Villanova and Creighton but never got a chance to see what would have happened since the NCAA Tournament was canceled.

There are only two teams from the Big East ranked in the AP’s preseason top 25 but that doesn’t mean the league won’t be even more competitive this year. Let’s take a look at the Big East’s preseason power rankings and see how the league may shake out in the 2020-21 campaign.

1. Big East power rankings: Villanova Wildcats

The league’s one true national title threat, Villanova received 11 first-place votes in the poll. Jay Wright‘s squad has pretty much everything needed to win it all and will be favored to take home the Big East title.

2. Big East power rankings: Creighton Bluejays

The Bluejays could have been right there with Villanova if Ty-Shon Alexander stayed in school, but Marcus Zegarowski and company still have plenty of offensive firepower. Gregg McDermott’s team will be a lock to get to the NCAA Tournament.

3. Big East power rankings: Providence Friars

The hottest team at the end of the season was Providence, which surged from the bottom of the Big East standings into prime tournament position by early March. The Friars will have to re-tool a bit after losing four key players but Ed Cooley should have this team peaking by mid-season once again.

4. Big East power rankings: Seton Hall Pirates

The Pirates lost their best player in Myles Powell but Sandro Mamukelashvili is back for his senior season. The title-winning upside for Seton Hall is probably gone but there’s enough here to make a run at the Big East again.

5. Big East power rankings: UConn Huskies

The Huskies are back after a seven-year stint in the American and their transition back to the Big East will be fascinating. Dan Hurley’s team was improving at the end of the 2019-20 season and will be right in the mix from the jump.

6. Big East power rankings: Butler Bulldogs

This team is experiencing some turnover after Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott graduated, taking the Bulldogs’ top two scorers off the roster. LaVall Jordan still has plenty of talent to work with a re-tooled offense focused on Bryce Nze more than capable of holding its own.

7. Big East power rankings: Xavier Musketeers

This should be a team contending for a bubble spot as Xavier will need to make some hay in the non-conference season as well as hold their own in Big East play. The Musketeers will roll with three seniors in their starting five, including guard Paul Scruggs, and that experience edge will be key.

8. Big East power rankings: Marquette Golden Eagles

The loss of Markus Howard to graduation will be a big one but this team has a high ceiling and a low floor. Ohio State transfer D.J. Carton will be eligible immediately and if he acclimates quickly it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Golden Eagles significantly outperform this ranking.

9. Big East power rankings: Georgetown Hoyas

This squad’s ceiling took a major hit when Mac McClung transferred out. The Hoyas overachieved last season and will need to do so again in order to contend for a bubble spot to the NCAA Tournament.

10. Big East power rankings: St. John’s Red Storm

Mike Anderson is building the program the right way and there is a nice foundation in place. The loss of L.J. Figueroa, who transferred to Oregon, hurts and the Johnnies are likely a year away from true tournament contention.

11. Big East power rankings: DePaul Blue Demons

The Blue Demons had a fun run in the non-conference portion of the schedule last season before crashing back to earth in Big East play. This outfit has finished in the basement ten times since 2009 and has a strong likelihood of adding to that poor track record once again.

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