Big East Player of the Year Power Rankings Week 3

Week 3 of the power rankings shows you what a difference a week can make in this conference. As we head towards the halfway point in conference play, some teams are surging while others are trying to recover.

Here are the rankings for the week starting with a new contender.

5) Jessie Govan, Georgetown Hoyas

Last week: NR

Govan has had a strong season for the Hoyas as he looks to help a young team develop in his senior season in Washington DC.

The Hoya big man is averaging 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 53.2 percent from the field.

Each season, Govan has improved exponentially and with Patrick Ewing as his coach is now the best big man in the conference. This season, Govan is in the mix for the player of the year in the conference.

This week, Govan scored 22 points and had 12 rebounds in a loss to Creighton at home but followed that up with 20 points and nine rebounds in a road win at St. John’s.

All of it adds up to Govan cracking into the rankings for the first time this season.

4) Myles Powell, Seton Hall Pirates

Last week: T-2

Powell played in one game this week, but had one of the worst performances of his career in an 80-52 loss to Villanova on Sunday.

The Pirates were coming off a bye week and despite hanging in the game in the first half, they were blown out in the second half.

Powell finished with three points in just 25 minutes and was benched for much of the second half along with many of the other starters as Kevin Willard tried to send a message to his team.

Really tough week for the Pirates and for Powell as they are looking to get back to the play we saw from them at the beginning of conference play.

For now, he drops to four on the list.

3) Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s Redstorm

Last week: T-2

This week wasn’t kind for Ponds and the Red Storm who also had a bye until Sunday this week. However, they came out at home and laid an egg against Georgetown at home losing in overtime despite 21 points and six rebounds from Ponds.

The Red Storm could be in real trouble considering they don’t have many quality wins on their resume. Ponds and his teammates seem to ware down in games and the lack of depth on the roster along with isolation basketball they fall into at times certainly doesn’t help.

St. John’s will look to bounce back next week as will Ponds who drops to third in the rankings this week.

2) Phil Booth, Villanova Wildcats

Last week: 4

Out of the phone booth, comes Phil Booth.

Booth has made sure the Wildcats would not lose a step from last season after losing four players to the NBA Draft. The fact that he has been a huge factor in keeping the pace is remarkable.

This week, Villanova went 2-0 led by Booth who scored 17 points along with five assists and four rebounds in a win at Hinkle against Butler. He would back that up with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a win over Seton Hall on Sunday.

Booth’s consistency has him rising on the list and right on the heels of the number one man the list.

1) Markus Howard, Marquette Golden Eagles

Last week: 1

Howard remains at the top of the list for the player of the year in the conference and it’s his to lose at the moment. With other contenders having setbacks, Howard continues to hold the perch.

Two more good performances from Howard this week as he scored 23 points and nine assists in a win over DePaul. He had 31 points, five rebounds and four assists in a come from behind win over the Xavier Musketeers in Cincinnati.

Howard hit some clutch shots to aid the comeback and help the Golden Eagles on their quest to catch Villanova at the top of the standings.

For the time being, Howard is the man to beat.

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!