Providence closed out their non-conference schedule on December 22nd with a 14 point win against Miami (FL) to finish 10-3 heading into conference play on NYE against Creighton. The Friars received zero votes in both polls in week 7. Week 8 is no different in the AP Poll or the USA Today Coaches Poll.

The Big East

Villanova moved up one spot to 6th in the AP Poll and the 5th spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The Wildcats remain the highest-ranked Big East team this season and first team to be in the top 5 of either poll. Moving up again in the AP Poll is St. John’s who went from 17th to 15th this week following wins over Long Beach State and Tulane. The Johnnies were 19th in the USA Today Coaches Poll  last week and moved up to 17th this week in that poll. Butler was only receiving 2 votes last week in the AP Poll and are now not getting any.  The Bulldogs were receiving 4 votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll a week ago and are now also not getting any votes in that poll.

After having only 2 teams in the top 25 last week following Butler’s drop the Big East is back up to 3 teams with Georgetown making the jump to the 25th spot in both polls/the AP poll. The Hoyas are receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll which places them 27th in that poll behind VCU. Seton Hall is no longer receiving votes in the AP Poll but the Pirates are still receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll and are in the 31st slot in that poll moving up from 34th last week.

No other Big East teams are receiving votes in either poll.

Providence’s Non-Conference Opponents

Kentucky remains at the top of both polls in week 8 with their 13-0 record. Miami (FL) is no longer receiving votes after Providence beat them handily in Brooklyn. Notre Dame jumped up 2 spots this week in the AP poll from 16th last week to 14th this week. The Fighting Irish were also 16th in the USA Today Coaches last week and have also moved up in that poll to 13th this week.

To see both polls in their entirety, click here.

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