Jeff Wolf's Big East Power Rankings

MUHoops.com breaks down how the toughest conference in the nation stacks up midway through the schedule

1. Georgetown (19-2, 9-1) – two games ahead of the next team in the conference standings, but the Hoyas are far from flawless… still rebounding issues, and they need their perimeter players to make shots.

2. Louisville (17-6, 7-3) – these guys are dangerous… David Padgett is playing like a man possessed since Big East play began, and Edgar Sosa is finally regaining his stroke… don’t be surprised if they knock off Georgetown this weekend.

3. Notre Dame (17-4, 7-2) – another team that has great inside-outside balance… Luke Harangody could be conference POY if he keeps up his current offensive production.

4. Connecticut (17-5, 7-3) – the kids are maturing a lot faster than everyone expected, especially Hasheem Thabeet, who has realized his potential as one of the best shot blockers in the college game… now on a five game winning streak.

5. Pittsburgh (17-5, 5-4) – have overcome a few key injuries by having role players (see Keith Benjamin) step up and become contributors… Jamie Dixon has these guys believing.

6. Marquette (16-5, 6-4) – slow starts kill the Golden Eagles, as has a laundry list of ailments for Dominic James… must find a way to make shots on the road.

7. Syracuse (16-8, 5-4) – hobbled by injuries to their top two point guards, the Orange have been relying on pure athleticism to win games, and they have plenty of it… face a very tough schedule the rest of the way.

8. West Virginia (16-6, 5-4) – fundamentally sound team that can go on runs in a hurry with their three-point shooting… Joe Alexander is a great athlete who is a perfect fit for Bob Huggins’ system.

9. Cincinnati (10-12, 5-5) – a scrappy team that needs nightly production from Deonta Vaughn in order to compete… now a much tougher team than the one that lost to Bowling Green earlier in the season, especially on the defensive glass.

10. Seton Hall (15-8, 5-5) – they know how to score, but are they mature enough to stay consistent through a stretch in which they play four of five against teams in the top half of the conference?... a 26 point home loss to the Irish doesn’t help.

11. Villanova (13-8, 3-6) – a disappointing season for Scottie Reynolds, who was expected to be a leader this season… a lot of young players, and that youth shows at times… already lost to Rutgers, and recently dropped one to Big-5 rival St. Joe’s.

12. DePaul (9-13, 4-6) – a team that has offensive firepower but lacks chemistry… Draelon Burns misses too many shots to be a go-to player.

13. Providence (13-9, 4-6) – this team seems like they always hang around, but can never close the deal… a ton of talent and could pull a late season upset if they finally get Sharaud Curry healthy.

14. St. John’s (9-12, 3-7) – played Rutgers head-to-head to a rousing 52-45 final score…. Anthony Mason, Jr. one of the few bright spots.

15. South Florida (10-13, 1-9) – you would think the team with arguably one of the best senior big men in the country would at least finish in the middle of the pack, but no help for Kentrel Gransberry equals no success in the conference.

16. Rutgers (10-14, 2-9) – have a good win in conference against Pitt, but not much continuity on offense here.