Big East Player of the Year Power Rankings Week 2

Week 2 of the power rankings is among us and it was the most recent example of up and down weeks for not only the top candidates for the player of the year, but the teams they suit up for as well.

Let’s dive into the updated rankings after what was a wild week in the conference.

5) Max Strus, DePaul Blue Demons

Last week: 5

Strus and the Blue Demons went 1-1 this week with a loss to Butler and a win at Seton Hall. As you might expect, in the win Strus played well scoring 22 points along with six rebounds and three steals. In the loss to Butler, he had 12 points, four rebounds and two steals while shooting 4-12 from the field. The two performances, in a way, cancel each other out which leaves him in the same spot as last week although players are gaining on him.

Still have to commend the Blue Demons on being 3-3 through six Big East games and are right in the thick of it. Strus has been a big part of that.

4) Phil Booth, Villanova Wildcats

Last week: 4

Only one game this week for Booth and it was a good one in a win for Villanova over Xavier at home. The senior had 22 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Here we go again with the Wildcats. They are 5-0 in league play as they head to Hinkle to face Butler on Tuesday. Booth has been a major reason why Villanova hasn’t missed a beat in the Big East.

Teams in this conference need stars and after being a role player for most of his college career on top of overcoming injuries, he has played the role of leading man to perfection. A few more performances like the one this week and he might make a case to break into the top three.

T-2) Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s Redstorm

Last week: 3

Ponds moves up into a tie for second this week after a 1-1 week for the Red Storm that saw their main man come back and perform well in a win over Creighton, but let them down at times in a loss at Butler.

St. John’s bounced back from a loss to DePaul to beat Creighton at home behind 22 points, five assists and two rebounds from Ponds. In the loss to Butler, he racked up 20 points, three steals and two assists. However, the Red Storm played so poorly early in the game that by the time they got into and rhythm and Ponds could shine it was too late.

Regardless, Ponds actually playing this week helped him move up a bit in the rankings. The Red Storm host Georgetown coming up on Sunday.

T-2) Myles Powell, Seton Hall Pirates

Last week: 2

The Pirates had a rough week to say the least as they went 0-2 with losses to Providence and DePaul. Powell did not play well against Providence putting up only 12 points on 4-15 shooting with two assists and two steals.

Powell played well against DePaul with 24 points, six assists and three steals. However, he did go a large portion of the second half without touching the ball. Debate who should get blame all you want, but he still played well for the Pirates.

This has been a tough stretch for Powell and the Pirates who have lost four of five in the conference after playing a boatload of games, many of them on the road in a quick time frame.

Seton Hall has a week off before facing Villanova on the road next weekend where they hope to get back on track. Powell’s performances and team outcome drop him into a tie for second this week.

1) Markus Howard, Marquette Golden Eagles

Last week: 1

Can anyone top what Howard did last week? The man set a Big East record for points in a game while topping his old record for goodness sake!

Howard had a bit of an up and down week himself as he only played three minutes against Georgetown and left the game with a back issue. However, his teammates picked him up and got the win in the nation’s capital.

If you haven’t already picked up on this, not playing in games does matter in these rankings. Injuries are a part of the game. However, Howard had 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a win over Providence this past Sunday.

The Golden Eagles remain a half game back of Villanova for the top spot in the Big East and that leaves Howard at the top of the player of the year race for the time being.

Did we miss anyone? Make your case in the comments or on Twitter @becb_sbn and @SSaintj7. We will back next Monday to update the rankings!