Player of the Week
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
Preseason Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor has delivered despite St. John’s disappointing 4-3 start. Through seven games, Ejiofor is averaging 15.6 points on 59 percent shooting and 42.9 percent from three, while also leading the Red Storm in rebounds at 6.6 per game and ranking second in assists at 3.3 per game. At 6’9”, he has been the team’s most consistent producer on both ends and has put himself in the conversation as a first-round pick. Ejiofor has started the season strong and has the tools to climb draft boards as Big East play approaches.
Freshman of the Week
Acaden Lewis, Villanova
Despite being only a freshman, Acaden Lewis has stepped into a key role for Villanova’s 6-1 start and already ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game. He is shooting an efficient 51.5 percent from the field while leading the Wildcats at 5.6 assists per game through seven contests. Named the Big East Freshman of the Week, Lewis played a crucial role in two recent victories, scoring 20 points with four assists against Old Dominion and following with 12 points and eight assists against Temple, shooting 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. His poise and decision-making have been impressive for a first-year guard.
Who’s Hot
AJ Staton McCray, Seton Hall
Staton-McCray has been a major catalyst for Seton Hall’s impressive 7-1 start to the 2025 season. He leads the Pirates in scoring at 13.9 points per game on 48.1 percent shooting and an elite 41.9 percent from three. Staton-McCray earned Big East Player of the Week honors after helping Seton Hall to a 2-1 showing at the Maui Invitational, where they finished in third place. He elevated his scoring to 19.6 points per game over the three contests, shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 47.3 percent from deep, reinforcing his emergence as one of the conference’s most reliable two-way wings.
Chase Ross, Marquette
Chase Ross has emerged as Marquette’s offensive engine and currently leads the Big East in scoring at 20.9 points per game, improving his average by more than ten points from last season. The senior guard is shooting an efficient 52 percent from the field while adding 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Ross has become a versatile option for the Golden Eagles, providing scoring, playmaking, and on-ball defense at a high level despite the team’s mixed results to start the year.
UConn Huskies
UConn was projected to finish second in the Big East, but Coach Danny Hurley’s squad has already positioned itself as the conference’s top team with a 7-1 record, the lone loss coming in a top-five matchup against Arizona. Despite early injuries, the Huskies are getting healthier as they enter December, and Hurley’s teams traditionally grow more dangerous as the season progresses. With a major December 9 showdown against reigning national champion Florida approaching, UConn has emerged as the clear Big East favorite, especially with St. John’s early struggles.
Jason Edwards, Providence
Transfer guard Jason Edwards has flourished in his first season in the Big East. Now at his fifth college, Edwards ranks second in the conference in scoring at 18.6 points per game while adding 3.4 assists and shooting 43.9 percent from the field. His ability to create offense has been essential to Providence’s strong start, and he has quickly asserted himself as one of the nation’s more dangerous scoring guards heading into Big East play.
Who’s Not
St. John’s Red Storm
After earning seven first-place votes and entering the season as the Big East favorite, St. John’s has struggled to meet expectations. The Red Storm sit at 4-3, including an 0-3 record against top-25 opponents. While they can score, defensive lapses have been costly. St. John’s is allowing 76.4 points per game, a number that jumps to 90.3 in losses, including 103 points surrendered to Alabama at Madison Square Garden. With a roster filled with transfers and returning star Zuby Ejiofor, the talent is present, but defensive consistency must improve quickly.
Braylon Mullins, UConn
Former five-star recruit Braylon Mullins entered the season with high expectations, but a preseason injury derailed his early development. He has played in only two games so far, scoring two points in his debut before flashing his potential against Kansas with 17 points in UConn’s second top-25 win. Mullins clearly has the talent to contribute at a high level, but staying healthy will be essential for him to reestablish his rhythm as Big East play approaches.
Top Five Big East Teams
1. UConn Huskies (7-1)
UConn has quickly validated its preseason hype and looks like the conference’s best team. The Huskies have already earned three wins over top-25 opponents, including a tough road victory at Kansas. With another marquee matchup against Florida coming soon, UConn has an opportunity to further cement itself as the Big East standard. As the roster returns to full health, the Huskies have the depth, defense, and offensive balance to contend nationally and win the league.
2. Villanova Wildcats (6-1)
After an early season loss to BYU, Villanova has responded with six straight double-digit wins, showcasing depth, shooting, and a balanced offensive attack. The Wildcats face a tune-up game against Penn before a major road test at No. 3 Michigan on December 9, a matchup that will reveal whether Villanova can compete at the very top of the Big East.
3. Butler Bulldogs (7-1)
Butler has started strong at 7-1, bouncing back quickly from a narrow road loss to SMU. The Bulldogs have since earned wins over South Carolina, Virginia, and Eastern Michigan, and guard Finley Bizjack has emerged as a key piece of their rotation. With UConn looming in just over two weeks, Butler will soon have the chance to prove they belong among the conference’s elite.
4. Seton Hall Pirates (7-1)
Seton Hall was picked last in the Big East preseason poll but has been one of the league’s biggest early surprises. Their only loss was a two-point setback to USC at the Maui Invitational, but they rebounded to finish strong and secure third place. While the early schedule has been manageable, Seton Hall has shown toughness and improved chemistry. January matchups against UConn and St. John’s will reveal how high this team’s ceiling truly is.
5. Georgetown Hoyas (5-2)
Georgetown opened the season 5-0 with impressive wins over Clemson and Maryland before suffering back-to-back defeats, including a 13-point loss to Miami. Still, the Hoyas have shown early promise under a retooled roster. A December 7 road matchup against top-20 North Carolina will be their toughest test yet and a measuring stick for whether they can sustain their strong start entering Big East play.