BIG EAST Weekly: DePaul takes down Kentucky, earns NCAA Team of the Week

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Hey, hoops fans:

Erica L. Ayala here! We know this season especially is ever-changing and as your resident BIG EAST specialist, I thought I’d bring you a weekly digest so you can keep up with all-basketball all the time BIG EAST Conference. I’ll bring you the top news, upcoming matchups, and the talk around the BE Eleven.

I’m still working out the kinks on this weekly roundup, so feel free to drop me a line if you have some things you’d like to see. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Next and of course our OG, The IX Newsletter.

DePaul named NCAA Team of the Week

Doug Bruno made sure to walk his way down the bench as the clock ticked down. He ripped his mask and was fervently pointing at each player. What was he yelling with his raspy voice?

Before the win over ninth-ranked Kentucky was official, Bruno made sure each of his players knew their first win over a ranked opponent this season was because of all of them. Five players hit double-digits in the 86-82 win over the Wildcats. The win earned the Blue Demons the NCAA.com Team of the Week honors.

UConn and DePaul remain at the top of the BEleven table and are ranked on the AP Top 25 poll. Villanova got some votes but didn’t crack the list. The Wildcats remained competitive in the first half against UConn. I’d be curious to see if more national voters give Nova some votes for the next poll.

#BIGEASTWeekly Awards

And the winners are …

Player of the Week

Maddy Siegrist, Villanova, So., F

Freshman of the Week

Paige Bueckers, Connecticut, Fr., G

Weekly Honor Roll

Christyn Williams, UConn, Jr., G

Dee Bekelja, DePaul, Sr., G

Selena Lott, Marquette, Sr., G

Chanell Williams, Providence, Sr., G

Lauren Park-Lane, Seton Hall, So., G

Upcoming Schedule as of December 19

The BIG EAST will step aside for the Christmas/start of Kwanzaa (I obviously added that last one, but maybe). The BEleven announced the following schedule changes including a new date for the anticipated DePaul vs. UConn matchup.

UPDATED DATES
Dec. 29 – DePaul at Connecticut, TBA (previously Feb. 21)
Feb. 5 – Connecticut at Marquette, TBA (previously Dec. 30)
March 1 – Marquette at Connecticut, TBA (previously Jan. 2)

Here is where each team ranks at the late December break: