Player of the Week
Javon Freeman-Liberty (DePaul)
DePaul basketball is 4-0! Why? Freeman-Liberty has been playing like an All-Big East player dropping career high 33 points in their most recent win over Western Illinois. He has played 80 minutes in the Blue Demon’s past two games carrying a heavy load for this team. Freeman-Liberty was not selected for the Preseason All-Big East first OR second team. He is clearly being overlooked averaging 24.8 points per game, first in the Big East. Get to know his name.
Who’s Hot?
Xavier
Travis Steele has his team standing at 4-0 without star player Zach Freemantle in the rotation who has been sidelined to start the season due to a foot injury. They are coming off their most impressive win of the season with a 40-point win over Norfolk State. The Musketeers have been locked in defensively allowing the opposition to score only 58 points per game. It took a few games for their offense to get rolling, but they finally shot the ball well from beyond the arc hitting 14 threes in their last game. They have four players averaging double figures, one of which being Adam Kunkel who dropped 26 points off the bench hitting career high eight three pointers. Xavier has a high ceiling in the Big East this year.
UConn
Yes, the Huskies have not played any real competition, but still it is notable to consider their dominating start. In their 4-0 start, they are averaging 92 points per game with an average winning margin of 40.7 points. Not only are they scoring a lot, but they are completely blowing out their foes. Dan Hurley is showing a lot of depth with 9 guys averaging at least 10 minutes a game and 5 guys averaging double figures. It is not just their offense that has been impressive. All Dan Hurley teams are known for their elite defense. As stated in the season preview, this may be one of the best defensive teams in the nation. In four games they have 47 steals and 28 blocks. They will take off the training wheels and play against Auburn Wednesday Nov. 24 in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Who’s Not?
Butler
RJ Cole (UConn)
It is tough putting Cole in this spot considering how well the Huskies have been playing, but his last two games have been a bit disappointing. Shooting a combined 5/18 from the field, Cole has averaged only 6.2 points per games in the last two, with only four points in their most recent win. Many predicted him to lead this team in scoring this season as he currently sits at 3rd overall in scoring on the team. This is extremely promising for Dan Hurley considering that you are winning every game in blowout fashion when arguably your best player has struggled in the last two games.
Creighton
Even after a decent win over Nebraska, the Blue Jays had their first true test of the season against Colorado State. After being in the game early, Creighton fell behind and allowed the Rams to drop 95 points. It is tough to say how Creighton will perform in the Big East this season since they have an easy non-conference schedule. They had a win over Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers are one of the worst teams in a struggling Big Ten. Leading into Big East conference play, Creighton needs to come together as a collective group. Greg McDermott will be tested this season losing all starting five from a year ago.
Top five wins in the Gavitt Games:
#5 Providence over Wisconsin
This road win marks the first 3-0 start for the Friars since the 2015-16 season. Nate Watson displayed his dominance in the paint with 24 points. The biggest reason for the win was the 22-5 run that Providence went on to end the first half. This was a great defensive performance for Ed Cooley’s squad holding Wisconsin to 36% shooting from the field in a big road win.
#4 Marquette over Illinois
It is notable to say that Illinois was without preseason Big Ten player of the year Kofi Cockburn however this was a huge win for Shaka Smart and the Golden Eagles. Even though they shot poorly from the field, they still battled pulling out a one-point win. The most impressive stat of the night had to be forcing the Illini to turn the ball over 26 times.
#3 Xavier over Ohio State
Looking at our who’s hot section there isn’t much that needs to be explained about this game. The Musketeers earned a big win over No. 19 Ohio State displaying another great defensive performance. They held the Buckeyes to 37% shooting from the field and forward transfer Jack Nunge showed his potential with 14 points and 14 rebounds off the bench.
#2 DePaul over Rutgers
Who would have guessed this upset? DePaul is playing great basketball defeating a solid Rutgers team. This game featured back and forth action the entire way but in the end the Blue Demons came out on top making their final six field goals. Our player of the week Freeman-Liberty had 19 points, which was only second on the team behind David Jones who had 22.
#1 Seton Hall over Michigan
What a win for the Pirates. This was the school’s first ever win over a top-five AP ranked non-conference team on the road. Jared Rhoden was back into the starting lineup and stepped up the challenge leading the way with 16 points. Being down 11 points with 14 minutes to go, they grinded their way back into the game. Huge bench performance from Bryce Aiken who scored six of Seton Hall’s last seven points coming up clutch in this big-time win.