Big East Power Rankings: Where Each Team Stands Heading Into Conference Play
By Rob Reinhart
As the calendar turns toward conference play, the Big East has once again positioned itself as one of the toughest leagues in college basketball. With national title contenders at the top, breakout teams rising from the middle, and several storied programs still searching for direction, the 2025–26 season has already delivered plenty of storylines.
Here’s where each Big East team stands heading into conference play:
2025–26 Big East — Power Rankings Entering Conference Play
Updated rankings with current overall records (as of Dec. 12, 2025).
| Rank | Team | Record | Projected Seed | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn | 9–1 | #3 Seed | Lock | Elite two-way balance; national contender. |
| 2 | St. John’s | 5–3 | #6 Seed | Top 25 / Bubble | Ranked and turning heads in non-conf. |
| 3 | Seton Hall | 9–1 | #7 Seed | Lock | Strong non-conf. results, defense strong. |
| 4 | Xavier | 7–3 | #8 Seed | Bubble | Balanced scoring; Tre Carroll breakout. |
| 5 | Butler | 7–2 | #9 Seed | Bubble | Playing well; offense improving. |
| 6 | Providence | 7–4 | #10 Seed | Bubble | Solid, but résumé needs marquee wins. |
| 7 | Villanova | 7–2 | NIT Contender | Outside Bubble | Strong start; can’t sustain streaks yet. |
| 8 | Creighton | 5–4 | NIT Contender | Bubble – Out | Upset potential, needs consistency. |
| 9 | Georgetown | 6–3 | — | Rebuilding | Competitive but depth remains a concern. |
| 10 | DePaul | 7–3 | — | Rebuilding | Improving but needs marquee wins. |
| 11 | Marquette | 5–5 | — | Rebuilding | Scoring leader strong but overall uneven.} |
Note: Current records are overall, not conference, and are as of around December 12, 2025.
Huskies Set the Standard
UConn enters league play looking every bit like its preseason billing. The Huskies have rolled through their non-conference schedule with the discipline, defense, and depth that have defined the program’s recent national success. Ranked inside the top 10 in the latest AP Poll, the Huskies have separated themselves early with a blend of elite guard play and interior toughness.
Simply put: UConn looks like the team to beat — not only in the Big East, but perhaps nationally.
St. John’s Surges Under Pitino
Few teams have generated more early-season buzz than St. John’s. Riding the momentum of improved roster cohesion in Rick Pitino’s second season, the Red Storm climbed in the AP rankings after an impressive road win at Ole Miss. The addition of freshman Ian Jackson to the starting lineup has provided a jolt of speed and shot-making that fits the fast, physical brand Pitino demands.
St. John’s hasn’t peaked yet — and that’s what makes them dangerous.
Providence’s Ceiling is Limited Only by Their Own Hand
Providence has emerged as one of the Big East’s most reliable teams thanks largely to the breakout play of Stefan Vaaks and star freshman Jamier Jones, who have given the Friars a dynamic inside-out punch. Vaaks has developed into a matchup problem with his length, mobility, and improved touch around the rim, anchoring Providence on both the glass and the defensive end. Jones, meanwhile, has become one of the conference’s most impactful newcomers — a powerful, downhill wing who scores in bunches and brings an edge that sets the tone for the entire rotation. Together, they’ve elevated Providence from a solid preseason pick to a legitimate top-tier threat as conference play approaches.
Seton Hall, Xavier, and Butler Form the League’s Middle Punch
Seton Hall has quietly played its way into the upper tier of the conference. The Pirates may not have the national spotlight yet, but their defense and consistency make them one of the league’s toughest outs heading into January.
Xavier has also been one of the season’s most pleasant surprises. First-year coach Richard Pitino has leaned on senior guard Tre Carroll, who has been one of the league’s most productive scorers through December. The Musketeers have stacked together a series of confidence-building wins and look ahead-of-schedule for a team in transition.
Butler, meanwhile, has shown signs of significant improvement, mixing strong transfer additions with a disciplined approach on both ends of the floor. The Bulldogs don’t have the flash of UConn or the star power of St. John’s, but they’ve been steady — and that matters in the Big East.
Villanova and Creighton Searching for Identity
Villanova continues to float in the middle of the pack, capable of competing with anyone defensively but still looking for the offensive spark that will define their ceiling. Their experience and structure suggest they’ll be a factor late in the season, but they’ve yet to string together the marquee wins that would elevate them to the top tier.
Creighton, on the other hand, has been inconsistent. The Bluejays have shown flashes of the spacing and shooting that made them a perennial threat, but they lack the signature victory that would firm up their résumé. Conference play will determine whether they’re a tournament team or a bubble battler.
The Bottom Tier: Growing Pains and Rebuilds
Georgetown and DePaul remain in developmental phases. The Hoyas have improved defensively but are still far from turning the corner against higher-level competition. DePaul continues to struggle with depth and consistency, putting them behind the pack entering league play.
Marquette — typically a contender — has had a puzzling start. Whether injuries, chemistry, or simply slow early-season execution, the Golden Eagles sit lower in the standings than expected and need to rebound quickly to avoid losing ground in January and February.
What to Watch as Conference Play Begins
Tournament bids will be a major storyline, with UConn and St. John’s looking like locks, while teams such as Xavier, Seton Hall, Butler, and Villanova all sit squarely in the multi-bid conversation.
Lineup changes — most notably St. John’s elevating Ian Jackson — could reshape rotations across the league as coaches refine their rosters for Big East play.
And as always, the league’s depth will dictate its national standing. A strong middle tier could push the Big East toward another season with five or more NCAA tournament teams.