Welcome back to Big East Baller Update! As the first two weeks of the season have passed, there are some takeaways, both good and bad, from all 11 teams in the Big East.
Since it has been so long since the last edition of this column, let us jump right into the top players and games so far this season.
Weekly Awards
Player of the first two weeks: Chase Ross, guard, Marquette (20.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 50.8 FG%, 34.6 3P%, 78.6 FT% in five games)
In the first five games of the season, Ross is clearly carrying Marquette in a down year. According to KenPom, Ross has been named the game MVP in four of those games, including a 31-point effort in an 89-82 home loss to Maryland. As CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said, Ross must be an All-Big East player for Marquette to return to the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive year.
Freshman of the first two weeks: Acaden Lewis, guard, Villanova (12.3 ppg, 5.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 48.6 FG%, 16.7 3P%, 61.9 FT% in four games)
Lewis has emerged as one of the top freshmen in the Big East, despite his shooting splits not impressing many. According to Bart Torvik’s analytics, Lewis ranks far ahead of other Big East freshmen in points over replacement per adjusted game at that usage (PORPAGATU) at 3.2. Villanova has only one high-major game under its belt: a 71-66 loss to BYU on opening night.
Best game so far
Virginia Tech downs Providence in overtime, 107-101
At the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Virginia Tech outscored Providence in both the second half and overtime periods to defeat Providence in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Nov. 8. Neoklis Avdalas could not be guarded during the thriller, scoring 33 points on 13-23 overall shooting and 5-8 from long-range. In addition to the high-scoring performance, the 6-foot-9 freshman from Greece dished out six assists and five rebounds. The Hokies forced overtime with a game-tying 3-pointer from Amani Hansberry with five seconds remaining. Providence was led by prolific scorer Jason Edwards, who had 28 points. Four other Friars finished with double-figures in scoring, including Jaylin Sellers (26) and Stefan Vaaks (17). Oswin Erhunmwunse had an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double with four blocks.
Best games this week (excluding No. 5 Arizona at No. 3 UConn)
Dayton at Marquette (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., truTV)
Wednesday night serves as a revenge game for Marquette after being upset by Dayton last season, 71-63. Both teams are quite different from a year ago. Kam Jones, a consensus second-team All-American last year, is now with the Indiana Pacers. David Joplin, a third-team All-Big East forward last season, is now playing overseas. Stevie Mitchell, one of the top defensive players in the country, is recovering from a hip injury and now works at a firm in Milwaukee. It will be up to Ross, Ben Gold and Sean Jones to avenge last year’s loss.
Butler vs. South Carolina (Friday, 2 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Butler and South Carolina start the Greenbrier Tip-Off in West Virginia on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs rank No. 7 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (45%) and are one of the best teams in 3-point percentage offensively and defensively.
Georgia vs. Xavier (Friday, 9 p.m., ESPN2)
Another multi-team event begins on Friday as Xavier takes on Georgia in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic. Georgia ranks in the top 45 in both offense and defense in terms of adjusted efficiency. Xavier has had better starts to a season, but expectations were low with head coach Sean Miller’s departure and numerous players transferring out. Richard Pitino needs to outcoach Mike White to come out victorious.
Penn State vs. Providence (Saturday, 4 p.m., truTV)
Here we go again, Providence! The Friars are back at Mohegan for the Hall of Fame Showcase against Penn State. Both teams look to try to find some momentum as the calendar creeps towards December. Providence’s 3-point defense has been suspect up to this point, and that might not work well against a team shooting 39% from deep.
Virginia vs. Butler (Sunday, 2 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
Butler stays at the Greenbrier Resort for a battle with Virginia. The Cavaliers have looked promising offensively, ranking 30th in adjusted efficiency on that end of the floor. Players like Michael Ajayi and Jalen Jackson need to be excellent against a team ranked fifth nationally in opposing effective field goal percentage (39.7%).
Creighton vs. Baylor (Monday, 2 p.m., truTV)
The Players Era Festival begins in Las Vegas on Monday with a premier matchup between Creighton and Baylor. The Bluejays have been battle-tested already this regular season, but that game was a 90-63 blowout at Gonzaga a week ago. The trio of Owen Freeman, Josh Dix and Jackson McAndrew needs to contribute more, especially with the schedule not getting any easier.
No. 14 St. John’s vs. No. 16 Iowa State (Monday, 4:30 p.m., truTV)
St. John’s and Iowa State are also in Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival. Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger has the Cyclones boasting one of the top defenses in the country so far, with an adjusted efficiency rating of 91.9 (third in the country). St. John’s will have a tall task handling the ball against a defense that has a 28.5% turnover rate (second in the country.
Seton Hall vs. No. 25 N.C. State (Monday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Lastly, Seton Hall takes on N.C. State on Monday night at the Southwest Maui Invitational. The Pirates look to improve from last year’s dismal season, and they are off to a solid start with a 4-0 record. Those wins also include unimpressive win margins over Wagner (7) and Monmouth (12). Seton Hall’s defense has been solid, and it will be interesting to see how the top 2-point shooting team (N.C. State) manages against the top 2-point defense (Seton Hall).