Non-con Wrapped up – Jays sit 11-2

Let the Big East Show begin!

Jays completed the non-conference portion of the seasons’ slate with an expected win over Midland Lutheran yesterday. Midland was an late addition to the scchedule. Most likely to avoid having a 10 day gap between games heading into Big East play. I had expected 3 losses, but the Jays closed out both Oklahoma (home) and Arizona State (road) to exceed my expectations.

Jays vs Midland to close non.conference slate.

Jays vs Midland – OWH

The 11-2 Jays open conference play with a home date with Marquette (10-2) on Wednesday, 01Jan20.

So with the Big East opener on deck, what’s the latest?

WBR/Juszyk photo

Courtesy: Creighton Athletics

Denzel Mahoney is finally playing. Averaging 12.7 ppg over his 1st 3 games. He had 14 pts vs both Oklahoma and ASU. Denzel is one of 2 welcome potential additions – includes Davion Mintz. However…it also appears that Kelvin Jones while playing, is also being brought into PT slowly. He should be ready for the Marquette game.

K_Jones

Coach Mac informed all that Davion will be redshirting this season, as his recovery from his ankle injury is not progressing as was expected. Unfortunate for Davion, but will be a boon for the team’s depth next season.

The Preseason BE Coaches and other polls had Seton Hall and Villanova as the teams to beat this season. However, it seems that both Butler (12-1) and DePaul (12-1) had other ideas. Both have only 1 non-conference loss entering league play.

myles-powell — Courtesy: Seton Hall University

DePaul will tangle with preseason favorite Seton Hall (8-4) and PoY pick Miles Powell on 30 Dec19-in Chicago. Powell is recovering from a concussion and it is not yet known if he will play in the opener. DePaul follows up with another home date vs Providence (7-6) on Sat 04Jan20.

Butler gets a matchup @St Johns (11-2) on New Year’s Eve, followed by Jays @Butler on Saturday, 04Jan20.

Current standings as we get ready for takeoff:

BE Standings as Conf Season begins

Big East Conference

2019-20 Men’s Basketball Standings

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2019-20 Men’s Basketball Standings

School Conf CPct. Overall Pct. Home Away Neutral Streak

Butler 0-0 0.000 12-1 0.923 8-0 1-1 3-0 W3

DePaul 0-0 0.000 12-1 0.923 9-1 3-0 0-0 W3

Creighton 0-0 0.000 11-2 0.846 9-0 1-1 1-1 W7

St. John’s 0-0 0.000 11-2 0.846 9-1 0-0 2-1 W7

Xavier 0-0 0.000 11-2 0.846 8-0 1-1 2-1 W2

Marquette 0-0 0.000 10-2 0.833 7-0 1-1 2-1 W5

Villanova 0-0 0.000 9-2 0.818 5-1 1-1 3-0 W5

Georgetown 0-0 0.000 10-3 0.769 7-2 2-0 1-1 W6

Seton Hall 0-0 0.000 8-4 0.667 5-1 1-2 2-1 W2

Providence 0-0 0.000 7-6 0.538 6-1 0-2 1-3 W1

School	Conf	Overall	Pct.	Home	Away	Neutral	Streak
Butler	0-0	12-1	0.923	8-0	1-1	3-0	W3
DePaul	0-0	12-1	0.923	9-1	3-0	0-0	W3
Creighton	0-0	11-2	0.846	9-0	1-1	1-1	W7
St. John’s	0-0	11-2	0.846	9-1	0-0	2-1	W7
Xavier	0-0	11-2	0.846	8-0	1-1	2-1	W2
Marquette	0-0	10-2	0.833	7-0	1-1	2-1	W5
Villanova	0-0	9-2	0.818	5-1	1-1	3-0	W5
Georgetown	0-0	10-3	0.769	7-2	2-0	1-1	W6
Seton Hall	0-0	8-4	0.667	5-1	1-2	2-1	W2
Providence	0-0	7-6	0.538	6-1	0-2	1-3	W1

I am looking forward to a fast start by the Jays to conference play and as they have 2 of their 1st 4 games at home (game 1 Marq and game 3 Nova). Game 4 is at Xavier. I expect CU to upset Butler and Nova and begin the Year 4-0 heading into the Gtwn game in DC on 15Jan20.

Such a fast start will push them out front and have the bulk of the league playing catch up. Jays perform better out front. An added bonus will be the fast start and Ws over Butler and Villanova will usher the Jays into the national top 25 polls.