Player of the Week
Quincy Olivari (Xavier)
While Xavier continues to try and get on the right track this season, Quincy Olivari has been a bright spot thus far. The Rice transfer is averaging 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists with his new team. Olivari has turned up the scoring as of late, averaging 30.5 points in his last two games, including a 34 point-performance against Delaware followed by 27 points against Cincinnati on Saturday. In those two games, the Atlanta, Georgia, native has shown off his range from deep — combining for a staggering 11 3-pointers — going 5-for-10 against the Blue Hens and 6-for-8 against the Bearcats. The senior is shooting a career-best 46.2 percent from downtown this year as he continues to try and make a name for himself in the Big East.
Who’s Hot
Butler Bulldogs
Butler has been quietly heating up as of late, sitting on a five-game win streak and holding a tie for the second-best record in the Big East before conference play begins. After going to overtime for the second time in their last three games, the Bulldogs defeated California in a game that needed double overtime on Saturday, led by 21 points from Posh Alexander. Coach Thad Matta has led his team to a record of 8-2 in its first 10 games, including a scoring average of 83.6 points per game, putting Butler inside the top 50 in the nation at 42 in that category. It will be interesting to see where the Bulldogs stack up in the conference this year, but the winning streak they are on can give them the confidence to try and match up with the best of the best.
Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)
Expectations were high for Ryan Kalkbrenner going into his senior season and he is starting to heat up as conference play nears. The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 15.8 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Bluejays, right around his averages from a year ago. Despite the loss to UNLV on Wednesday, Kalkbrenner put up 22 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Kalkbrenner will continue to try and improve his outside shooting in hopes to secure himself a spot in the 2024 NBA Draft, with many scouts seeing him as a potential second round talent as of now. The big man has improved in each of his seasons at Creighton, and will hope to finish his senior year strong with a talented team that will look to compete for a Big East title this year. The further the Bluejays can go, the more opportunities Kalkbrenner will have to show why his name belongs on draft boards come June. Kalkbrenner will once again have a chance to show off his skills in a primetime matchup with Alabama on Saturday.
Who’s Not
Jay Heath (Georgetown)
Arizona State transfer Jay Heath is still trying to find his rhythm with his third college team of his career. The Georgetown guard has averaged double-digits in every season of his career, but currently sits at 9.4 points per game this year. While the season is young and there is plenty of time to turn things around, Heath will look to find a better role scoring the ball, as he has failed to reach double-digits in three out of his last four games. In his last two games, Heath has shot under 30 percent on the field, including going 2-for-7 with seven points against Syracuse and 2-for-9 on six points against Coppin State. The senior will look to turn things around on the road against Notre Dame on Saturday.
Steven Ashworth (Creighton)
Steven Ashworth is still adjusting and figuring out his role with his new team this year, as the Utah State transfer cut his average from last season in half to start the 2023-24 season with Creighton. Averaging 8.2 points, Ashworth is notably seeing a few less minutes with his new program, but consistency seems to be an area he is lacking in thus far. After tying a season-high 17 points against Oklahoma State and 13 points against Nebraska, Ashworth nearly became a non-factor in his next two games. In the win over Central Michigan, the senior guard went 1-for-7 with two points on 14.3 percent from the field. On Wednesday against UNLV, Ashworth went just 1-for-3 with two points once again.
Top 5 Big East matchups in December
No. 8 Creighton vs. No. 7 Marquette, Dec. 30
Crieghton and Marquette are among the top contenders in the Big East this year, and this matchup at the end of the month can give both the fans and teams around the conference a look at where they both stand. This game should be a back-and-forth battle as both programs will look to put themselves atop the conference. If things continue as they have thus far this year, this could be a potential matchup of not only the top teams in the Big East, but in the country if both squads remain ranked inside the top 10 of the AP poll.
No. 7 Marquette vs. Providence, Dec. 19
With Providence being a potential darkhorse in the Big East title race, this game could give a glimpse of how well the Friars matchup with the top teams. Marquette will have to hit the road and play in a difficult environment that is sure to be rocking and looking to pull off the upset.
Villanova vs. No. 8 Creighton, Dec. 20
This conference matchup should be an interesting one, with Villanova being a wildcard team this year. Despite wins over North Carolina and UCLA, the Wildcats have picked up some tough losses this year as they sit at 7-4. If the best version of coach Kyle Neptune’s squad comes out in this game, Creighton could be on upset watch at home.
Butler vs. Providence, Dec. 23
These two teams appear to be on a similar path in the Big East, and this clash could potentially separate one from the other as a true contender. As both programs are off to 8-2 starts, this game should be an exciting watch for college basketball fans.
St. John’s vs. No. 5 UConn, Dec. 23
While St. John’s is not protected to be atop the conference standings come march, it has a history of being competitive in the big games. While UConn is not going to be an easy opponent by any means, it will be interesting to see how close, or how far off the Red Storm are in the Big East.