For the sixth consecutive week, four teams represent the BIG EAST in the AP Top-25 Poll, with UConn returning to the rankings for the first time since Dec. 13.
 
Villanova (13-4, 6-1 BE) extended its win streak to six games, earning a road victory over Xavier (64-60) before an 82-42 triumph over Butler Sunday at Wells Fargo Center. Overall, the Wildcats have risen 12 positions in the polls since Dec. 20 and now rank No. 11.
 
After coming up short against the Wildcats on Wednesday, Xavier (13-3, 3-2 BE) rebounded with an 80-73 home win over Creighton on Saturday and now sit at No. 20 in the rankings.
 
One position back from the Musketeers, Providence (14-2, 4-1 BE) ranks 21st nationally.
 
Following an 86-78 home win over St. John’s on Wednesday, UConn (11-4, 2-2 BE) returned to the rankings and now sits at No. 25.
 
In the first of two games on Sunday, Villanova raced out to a 13-2 lead in the opening 5:38 and never looked back to defeat Butler (9-7, 2-3 BE). Collin Gillespie led a balanced Wildcat attack with 17 points, while Justin Moore (15), Eric Dixon (14) and Jermaine Samuels (14) finished closely behind. Chuck Harris led the Bulldogs with 15 points in the contest.
 
In the 119^th edition of the St. John’s and Georgetown rivalry, the Red Storm (10-5, 2-2 BE) pulled away from the Hoyas (6-8, 0-3 BE) 88-69 at Madison Square Garden. Julian Champagnie, the BIG EAST’s leading scorer, led all players with 25 points, one of five Johnnies to reach double figures. Posh Alexander and Dylan Addae-Wusu both posted 17 points and seven assists, with Alexander shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. Kaiden Rice led the Hoyas with 19 points, knocking down five shots from beyond the arc. It marked the sixth time this season Rice made at least five 3-pointers in a game.
 
BIG EAST play resumes on Tuesday with UConn hosting Butler in Hartford at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.