Jay Bilas top 68

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Just saw this on ESPN
9. Villanova Wildcats

The Wildcats are not overpowering in any area, but good in every area of play. Rated in the nation's top 20 in both offense and defense, Villanova shoots 54 percent from 2-point range and forces turnovers on 23 percent of its defensive possessions. Five Wildcats have hit 23 or more 3-point field goals, led by lefty senior Darrun Hilliard with 37. -- Jay Bilas

14. Georgetown Hoyas

Joshua Smith and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera manufacture points by getting to the line, and as a team the Hoyas limit opponents' scoring in the paint. That has proved to be an effective mix, as John Thompson III's men look to return to the NCAA tournament with a very high seed. -- John Gasaway

26. Xavier Musketeers

The Musketeers won't be confused with Kentucky or Virginia on defense anytime soon, but Matt Stainbrook, Dee Davis and the guys can at least make some noise in the Big East race. Thus far in conference play, Chris Mack's team has been phenomenal inside the arc but weak outside it. -- John Gasaway

33. Butler Bulldogs

The Big East has been having a great season, and Butler is a primary reason why. At 4-2 against Top 25 opponents, the Bulldogs are very tough defensively, especially guarding the 3-point line, and do a terrific job of limiting opponents to one challenged shot (usually a tough 2-point shot). Oddly, Butler has been a relatively poor free throw shooting team. Kellen Dunham has been the scoring leader (48 of his 104 field goals are 3-pointers), but Roosevelt Jones has been the emotional leader. The Bulldogs beat Seton Hall by 20 behind Andrew Chrabascz's 16 points. Butler lacks size, but not fight. -- Jay Bilas

36. Providence Friars

Ed Cooley has a reputation for sticking with his starters and having a short bench. That reputation is well-earned: LaDontae Henton and Kris Dunn are always on the floor. Give these young men your salute and some oxygen. -- John Gasaway

39. Seton Hall Pirates

Since handing Villanova its first loss, the Hall has lost four of five going into Marquette. The Pirates are good, and have gotten great play from Sterling Gibbs and freshman big man Angel Delgado, but Isaiah Whitehead is still out, and his return would be a major boost. With wins over St. John's and Villanova, the Hall needs more, and is trending down. -- Jay Bilas

43. St. John's Red Storm

The Johnnies have talent and athleticism, which was on display against Duke. But when the game was on the line, St. John's backed up. The Red Storm have lost five of seven going into Creighton, and have not done a good enough job on the glass. Without rebounding at a higher level, St. John's will remain a bubble team until Selection Sunday. -- Jay Bilas

have got to say these seem very fair. While Butler and PC maybe a smidge low, Georgetown and Xavier seem a bit higher than we see other places- so kind of cancels out there. Seeing what Bilas wrote about St John's made me think about where they would be with Keith Thomas. Think Butler game- outrebounded 34-26. Think Villanova game- outrebounded 41-21. Even DePaul game- outrebounded by only 3- 33-30. They win vs Butler and DePaul- things are WAY different for St John's right now. Pretty much in at this point w/o a collapse.

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Just saw this on ESPN
9. Villanova Wildcats

The Wildcats are not overpowering in any area, but good in every area of play. Rated in the nation's top 20 in both offense and defense, Villanova shoots 54 percent from 2-point range and forces turnovers on 23 percent of its defensive possessions. Five Wildcats have hit 23 or more 3-point field goals, led by lefty senior Darrun Hilliard with 37. -- Jay Bilas

14. Georgetown Hoyas

Joshua Smith and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera manufacture points by getting to the line, and as a team the Hoyas limit opponents' scoring in the paint. That has proved to be an effective mix, as John Thompson III's men look to return to the NCAA tournament with a very high seed. -- John Gasaway

26. Xavier Musketeers

The Musketeers won't be confused with Kentucky or Virginia on defense anytime soon, but Matt Stainbrook, Dee Davis and the guys can at least make some noise in the Big East race. Thus far in conference play, Chris Mack's team has been phenomenal inside the arc but weak outside it. -- John Gasaway

33. Butler Bulldogs

The Big East has been having a great season, and Butler is a primary reason why. At 4-2 against Top 25 opponents, the Bulldogs are very tough defensively, especially guarding the 3-point line, and do a terrific job of limiting opponents to one challenged shot (usually a tough 2-point shot). Oddly, Butler has been a relatively poor free throw shooting team. Kellen Dunham has been the scoring leader (48 of his 104 field goals are 3-pointers), but Roosevelt Jones has been the emotional leader. The Bulldogs beat Seton Hall by 20 behind Andrew Chrabascz's 16 points. Butler lacks size, but not fight. -- Jay Bilas

36. Providence Friars

Ed Cooley has a reputation for sticking with his starters and having a short bench. That reputation is well-earned: LaDontae Henton and Kris Dunn are always on the floor. Give these young men your salute and some oxygen. -- John Gasaway

39. Seton Hall Pirates

Since handing Villanova its first loss, the Hall has lost four of five going into Marquette. The Pirates are good, and have gotten great play from Sterling Gibbs and freshman big man Angel Delgado, but Isaiah Whitehead is still out, and his return would be a major boost. With wins over St. John's and Villanova, the Hall needs more, and is trending down. -- Jay Bilas

43. St. John's Red Storm

The Johnnies have talent and athleticism, which was on display against Duke. But when the game was on the line, St. John's backed up. The Red Storm have lost five of seven going into Creighton, and have not done a good enough job on the glass. Without rebounding at a higher level, St. John's will remain a bubble team until Selection Sunday. -- Jay Bilas

have got to say these seem very fair. While Butler and PC maybe a smidge low, Georgetown and Xavier seem a bit higher than we see other places- so kind of cancels out there. Seeing what Bilas wrote about St John's made me think about where they would be with Keith Thomas. Think Butler game- outrebounded 34-26. Think Villanova game- outrebounded 41-21. Even DePaul game- outrebounded by only 3- 33-30. They win vs Butler and DePaul- things are WAY different for St John's right now. Pretty much in at this point w/o a collapse.

Oh but our idiot of a coach says that rebounding is overrated. Love how he tries to BS us with his garbage.