After five straight losses to open the Big East season, St. John’s finally tumbles from the top spot. The Manhattan Jaspers, easily the area’s best bet to make the NCAA Tournament, has been as impressive as ever lately, winning their past two games without star senior George Beamon.
(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. Manhattan (2)
Record: 13-3, 6-1
Up next: Saturday (1:30 p.m.) at Fairfield
Beamon is still listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, and coach Steve Masiello is doing the right thing by bringing him back slowly, especially after Beamon’s ankle injury last year cost him the entire season. They need him in March, not now.
2. Seton Hall (3)
Record: 10-7, 1-3
Up next: Saturday (Noon) at Georgetown
The Pirates lost their third straight game, at Marquette, 67-66, and now face two interesting road games — at Georgetown and St. John’s.
3. St. John’s (1)
Record: 9-8, 0-5
Up next: Saturday (6 p.m.) vs. Dartmouth
The Big Green come to Queens at the perfect time with St. John’s needing to end its skid. Then, the Red Storm welcome Seton Hall to Carnesecca Arena in a game that will be filled with desperation.
4. Iona (8)
Record: 8-7, 5-1
Up next: Friday (9 p.m.) vs. Canisius, Sunday (5 p.m.) vs. Siena
The Gaels have won three of their past four games and remain in the race for another MAAC title. Sophomore guard A.J. English has been incredible of late, averaging 27.7 points over the past three games.
5. Columbia (4)
Record: 11-6, 0-0
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) vs. Cornell
The Lions open Ivy League play with back-to-back games against the Big Red, who sport a 1-13 record, with no wins against Division I teams. Columbia will be tested soon after with four straight road games.
6. Stony Brook (5)
Record: 11-6, 3-0
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) vs. UMass-Lowell
The Seawolves have won two straight and are the favorites for another America East regular-season title. Unfortunately, it’s all about three days in March.
7. St. Francis Brooklyn (6)
Record: 11-7, 2-1
Up next: Saturday (5 p.m.) vs. Sacred Heart
The Terriers offense is finally picking up, averaging 78.7 points in the past three games after scoring 63.7 points over the first 15 games.
8. Rutgers (7)
Record: 8-9, 2-2
Up next: Sunday (1 p.m.) at Houston
Myles Mack has scored in double figures in all but two games this season, which includes a 25-point effort in Wednesday’s 10-point win over UCF.
9. Wagner (9)
Record: 8-8, 2-1
Up next: Saturday (2 p.m.) at St. Francis (Pa.)
The Seahawks’ three-game winning streak was snapped in Thursday’s loss at Mount St. Mary’s, but the long-awaited emergence of sophomore Dwaun Anderson, who has scored 12 points in each of the past two games, could make a huge difference going forward.
10. Army (10)
Record: 8-8, 4-1
Up next: Sunday (3 p.m.) vs. Bucknell
Army’s five-game win streak ended in a three-point loss to Holy Cross, but the Black Knights remain a team no one in the Patriot League wants to face right now.
11. St. Peter’s (13)
Record: 7-9, 3-4
Up next: Monday (7 p.m.) at Marist
How bout them Peacocks? St. Peter’s has won three straight games, including impressive wins over Quinnipiac and Rider in which they averaged 75.5 points. In their first 14 games, the Peacocks put up less than 65 points per game.
12. Fordham (11)
Record: 7-9, 0-3
Up next: Saturday (2:30 p.m.) at Saint Louis
These aren’t the same old Rams, but five straight losses are certainly bringing flashbacks.
13. Fairleigh Dickinson (15)
Record: 6-11, 2-1
Up next: Saturday (3 p.m.) vs. Bryant
Sidney Sanders Jr. is the team’s only double-digit scorer, but his teammates stepped up in a 22-point drubbing of LIU Brooklyn on Thursday when the senior was limited to four points. If the Knights fail to win another game, coach Greg Herenda’s first season would still be a success.
14. Hofstra (16)
Record: 6-11, 2-1
Up next: Sunday (4 p.m.) vs. Charleston
The Pride have won two straight games, including a solid 75-71 win over Charleston. When Joe Mihalich’s roster fills out next season, this team could be really good.
15. NJIT (14)
Record: 8-11
Up next: Saturday (7 p.m.) at North Carolina A&T
Three games remain on the seemingly never-ending road trip.
16. LIU Brooklyn (12)
Record: 5-11, 0-3
Up next: Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at Central Connecticut State
I can’t recall the Blackbirds ever approaching a number this low in the poll. With five losses in their past six games — including three double-digit losses to open conference play — the three-time defending NEC champions have made it appear feasible they could miss the conference tournament.
17. Fairfield (17)
Record: 3-14, 0-7
Up next: Saturday (1:30 p.m.) vs. Manhattan
(Insert quip here)