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Big East College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 3

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By @BZarp

Big East Basketball Power Rankings: Week 3

Jay Wright
Kevin Hoffman - USATODAY Sports

It’s the second year of the new Big East, and the new-look league is out to prove that it’s still one of the best in the country. The league’s 10 teams have combined for just two losses thus far, as the conference is off to a fast start. Within the Big East, things should be competitive from top to bottom this season, so the power rankings just a few weeks into the season are tight as can be while we wait for teams to separate from the pack.

10. Marquette

Steve Wojciechowski Marquette
Jeff Hanisch - USATODAY Sports

10. Marquette

Steve Wojciechowski Marquette
Jeff Hanisch - USATODAY Sports

Marquette is the only Big East team with a loss, two in fact, so they drop straight to the bottom. There's nothing wrong with losing at Ohio State, but a home loss to Nebraska-Omaha is as disappointing as it is puzzling. The Golden Eagles followed that up by barely beating NJIT, as new head coach Steve Wojciechowski clearly has his work cut out for him in getting Marquette on track this season.

9. DePaul

DePaul Blue Demons
Rob Grabowski - USATODAY Sports

9. DePaul

DePaul Blue Demons
Rob Grabowski - USATODAY Sports

The Blue Demons are 2-0, but they still look like they'll be at the bottom of the Big East this year. Of course, they've been at the bottom of the league since they came to the Big East a decade ago. DePaul barely beat intra-city rival UIC in the season opener, and they'll face a few more quality non-conference opponents over the next month, giving them a chance to earn respect before conference play starts.

8. Georgetown

Michigan State v Georgetown
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8. Georgetown

Michigan State v Georgetown
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The Hoyas are 3-0, but they haven't been tested at all, so they've got some work to do to make their way up the power rankings. Of course, they'll have ample opportunity to do that this week when they participate in a loaded Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, starting with a first-round game against Florida.

7. St. John's

Marquette v St John's
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7. St. John's

Marquette v St John's
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Steve Lavin's team is off to a fast start, with strong play from D'Angelo Harrison, Rysheed Jordan and Sir'Dominic Pointer leading the way. But the Red Storm have yet to play any quality opponents, so we can't get too excited about what they've done this year even though they look like a team with great potential. St. John's has the Preseason NIT and a road game against Syracuse as opportunities to prove themselves before league play starts.

6. Seton Hall

Seton Hall
Noah K. Murray - USATODAY Sports

6. Seton Hall

Seton Hall
Noah K. Murray - USATODAY Sports

Even though they didn't play any quality opponents, Seton Hall won the Paradise Jam tournament, winning three games in four days, and that should count for something. Sterling Gibbs has emerged as a big-time scorer, averaging 22 points per game early in the season. While the Pirates are quite young, they have real talent and have shown good potential the first few weeks of the season.

5. Butler

butlercreighton
Dave Weaver - USATODAY Sports

5. Butler

butlercreighton
Jeff Weaver - USATODAY Sports

Butler hasn't played any good opponents yet this season, but they have really dominated inferior teams. The Bulldogs have an average margin of victory of over 30 points in their first three games, doing so with an efficient offense and quality defense. Butler is playing in the Battle 4 Atlantis, where we'll see how good they really are, as the Bulldogs start the tournament against North Carolina.

4. Xavier

2014 Big East Tournament
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

4. Xavier

2014 Big East Tournament
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Xavier has yet to be challenged by any of their four opponents, but they are one of the most impressive teams statistically, scoring 90 points and dishing out 23 assists per game. The Musketeers are deep and have gotten a great boost from freshman Trevon Bluiett, who leads the team in scoring. Xavier doesn't play a difficult non-conference schedule, so we won't learn too much about them until January, but they're off to a strong start.

3. Creighton

Alcorn State v Creighton
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3. Creighton

Alcorn State v Creighton
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So far, life without Doug McDermott has been good for the Bluejays. Isaiah Zierden has emerged as the team's top scorer, and their win over Oklahoma is one of the most impressive by a Big East team this season. The Bluejays are set up well to enter conference play undefeated and once again be one of the top teams in the Big East.

2. Villanova

Villanova v DePaul
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2. Villanova

Villanova v DePaul
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The Wildcats haven't been overly impressive this season, except for their blowout against VCU, which could be what Villanova needed to get on track. Jay Wright's team doesn't have a star, but they are a veteran and well-balanced team, which should be enough to keep them towards the top of the Big East this season.

1. Providence

Providence
Mark L. Baer - USATODAY Sports

1. Providence

Providence
Mark L. Baer - USATODAY Sports

The Friars made the NCAA Tournament last year where they nearly knocked off North Carolina, and they have picked up right where they left off. Providence is 5-0 on the season, including two wins over ACC teams in Florida State and Notre Dame. The Friars have a good mix of veterans and freshmen, and they have a ton of confidence at this point in the season. They figure to be a team to be reckoned with in the Big East this year.

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