Bracket Bits: Big East teams building strong NETs

Members of the Big East are building some strong NETs.

How strong have Big East teams been to this point?  Take a look at some of these numbers – via Warren Nolan …

Nine of the Big East’s ten teams currently rank in the Top 55 of the NCAA’s NET Rankings (through Thursday, December 26) – led by the surprising Butler Bulldogs at No. 3.  Four of BU’s ten wins are currently in Quadrant 1 – as is their only loss (Baylor by a single point).

Here’s where the other teams rank … Villanova (21), Creighton (24), Georgetown (29), Seton Hall (34), DePaul (36), St. John’s (47), Marquette (50), Xavier (52).  Oddly, its Providence, a sneaky preseason pick to win the league, which has struggled – currently ranked 122.

Overall, Big East teams are 96-25, a 79-percent winning percentage; good enough to rank No. 1 in the NET’s Conference Ratings. Collectively, Big East teams have 14 wins against Quad 1 opponents.

Will nine of the league’s teams make the final Field of 68 in March?  It’s highly unlikely.  Attrition will take its toll.  But the league’s early success will certainly provide ample opportunities for its members to continue building NCAA-worthy resumes.  And that’s where any league wants to be in late December.

Assumptions are dangerous, but the Selection Committee having seven to eight Big East teams on its under-consideration board isn’t a far-fetched idea.  Stay tuned.