You think you know how this conference works. Every year, we talk about the grit, the "old school" vibes, and the inevitability of a certain team from Storrs. But honestly, looking at the Big East basketball scores rolling in this January, everything feels a little... skewed. The 2025-26 season isn't just a repeat of the last decade. It’s becoming a survivalist's wet dream.
If you just glance at the ticker, you see the usual suspects. UConn is sitting at 17-1 overall. They’re 7-0 in the conference. Business as usual, right? Well, not exactly.
The Reality of Big East Basketball Scores This Week
Last night, we saw a glimpse of the chaos. January 15, 2026, was supposed to be a quiet night for the men while the women’s side dominated the headlines with UConn’s 99-50 demolition of Villanova. But in the men's circuit, we are staring down a Friday night doubleheader that could legitimately break the standings.
Tonight, January 16, Providence welcomes Creighton to the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The Friars are hurting. They are 1-5 in the Big East. One and five! This is a team that usually treats their home court like a fortified bunker, yet they’re currently languishing near the bottom. Meanwhile, Creighton is 11-7 and needs a signature road win to prove they aren't just a "home-court hero" squad.
Then you’ve got DePaul and Marquette at Wintrust Arena. Honestly, this is the "Under-the-Radar" game of the week. DePaul actually has a better overall record (10-7) than Shaka Smart’s Marquette (6-12). Let that sink in for a second. Marquette has lost six conference games already. The scores aren't just numbers; they’re a flashing red light for a program that usually dictates the pace of this league.
Why the Scores Are Telling a New Story
Most people think the Big East is just UConn and everyone else. That's a lazy take.
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If you look at the scoring margins, St. John’s is actually breathing down UConn's neck. The Red Storm are 12-5 overall and just came off a massive 90-73 win over Creighton on the road. Rick Pitino has them playing a brand of basketball that is basically "organized panic." They force turnovers, they run, and they don't care if you're ranked or not.
- UConn’s dominance: They aren't just winning; they’re outscoring opponents by nearly 16 points per game.
- Seton Hall’s defensive wall: Shaheen Holloway has the Pirates at 14-3 by holding teams to just 63.1 points.
- The Villanova struggle: At 14-3, they look good on paper, but they’ve had some absolute scares, including a narrow 76-73 escape against a struggling Marquette.
The problem with just looking at Big East basketball scores is that they don't show you the "Hinkle Magic" or the "Garden Pressure." They don't show you that Butler, despite a 1-5 conference start, is still averaging 83.5 points per game. They can score with anyone; they just can’t stop anyone.
The Big East Standings: A House of Cards?
Let's talk about the mid-January hierarchy. It's fragile.
UConn is the clear #1. They just beat Providence 103-98 in an overtime thriller that probably aged Dan Hurley five years. Silas Demary Jr. went off for 23 points and 15 assists. That’s a video game stat line. But it also showed a weakness: UConn can be scored on if you have the guts to play fast.
Seton Hall is the real surprise at #2 in the power rankings. They’re 4-1 in the Big East. People keep waiting for the bubble to burst, but then Budd Clark drops 22 points on Georgetown and you realize this isn't a fluke. They are gritty, they are mean, and they win the ugly games.
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The Statistical Outliers
You’ve got to love the weirdness of the shooting percentages this year. Villanova is currently leading the league in three-point shooting at 36.1%. On the flip side, Marquette—a team known for its guards—is dead last at 30.1%.
| Team | Big East Record | Overall Record | PPG Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | 7-0 | 17-1 | 79.3 |
| Villanova | 5-1 | 14-3 | 78.6 |
| St. John's | 5-1 | 12-5 | 86.0 |
| Seton Hall | 4-2 | 14-3 | 73.2 |
| Creighton | 5-2 | 11-7 | 77.7 |
(Note: These records reflect the landscape as of January 16, 2026, prior to tonight's tip-offs.)
It’s easy to dismiss DePaul, but they’re 2-4 in the league. That’s better than Providence, Butler, and Georgetown. For a program that has been the doormat for years, those scores represent a massive shift in culture under the current regime.
What Really Happened With the Tournament Projections?
Earlier this week, some national analysts (including Michael DeCourcy) suggested the Big East might only be a four-bid league for the NCAA Tournament. This is where the fanbases lose their minds.
How can a conference with this much historical weight only get four teams in?
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Basically, it comes down to the "middle class" of the conference cannibalizing each other. When Providence beats St. John's, but loses to DePaul, the NET rankings go into a tailspin. The scores we’re seeing right now—like Xavier’s 80-77 win over Georgetown—are great for entertainment, but they’re "bubble-poppers" for the losers.
There is a legitimate fear that by the time we get to Madison Square Garden in March, the Big East basketball scores will have beaten everyone into such a pulp that only UConn, Villanova, St. John's, and Seton Hall have the resumes to survive Selection Sunday.
Actionable Insights for Big East Fans
If you’re tracking these games, stop looking at the AP Poll. It’s a lagging indicator. Instead, watch the Points Off Turnovers metric.
UConn is currently punishing teams in transition, outscoring DePaul 20-9 in that category during their last meeting. If you see a team like Creighton or Xavier start to lose the turnover battle early in a game, the final score is almost certainly going to be a blowout.
Also, keep an eye on the "Friday Night Effect." Big East teams playing on short rest or in weird Friday slots (like tonight’s Providence/Creighton game) tend to see a dip in shooting percentages. Betting the "under" on some of these late-week totals isn't a bad move if the travel schedule has been brutal.
To stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the injury reports for Alex Karaban (UConn) and Tarris Reed Jr. Their presence on the floor changes the defensive gravity of the entire league.
- Watch the Friday night scores tonight. If Providence drops to 1-6, the season is effectively over for their tournament hopes.
- Check the "Points in the Paint" totals for Seton Hall. If they are winning the interior, they are winning the game. Their perimeter defense is good enough that they only lose when they get bullied under the rim.
The Big East isn't just a basketball conference; it’s a 10-week street fight. The scores are just the tally of who managed to stay standing.