Conference play has tipped off in the two weeks since B-Frank and Sam last recorded, and UCONN is still undefeated atop the standings. Providence and Xavier are also 2-0 in league play. After running through the rest of the standings (0:20-1:06), Sam shares his holiday spirit after the Jays pulled off a get-right win over Butler in Omaha - just their second home game in 31 days. The guys talk about how important Ryan Kalkbrenner is to Creighton's defensive identity and how a sleeveless Baylor Scheierman needs to play to achieve the team's lofty preseason expectations. A less rosy B-Frank lays out the issues with Seton Hall's start to conference play, highlighted by poor jump-shooting and the incredible free-throw defense SHU opponents have managed to play (1:10-24:30).
Power rankings (24:35-55:56) follow as UCONN, Providence, Xavier, and Villanova each have notable winning streaks heading into important matchups in the week after Christmas. Marquette fought valiantly in a tough Providence road environment paced by a career night from Charlie Kolek a quick drive from where he grew up, but ultimately fell in a double-OT thriller. The Golden Eagles are ahead of schedule and can score with anyone. St. John's doesn't have any resume-boosting wins to speak of and don't appear poised to pick up many throughout conference play. Creighton finally got off the schneid but has plenty of work to do before they're worthy of the praise heaped on them when they were undefeated and ranked in the top 10 in November. Butler fell fast after not showing much fight in the second half against UCONN and Creighton, but could trip up Providence at Hinkle next week. Shaheen Holloway still hasn't gotten buy-in from all his players in South Orange. Georgetown showed fight against Xavier and UCONN, but have no depth and can't get stops when they need to. DePaul is in the basement yet again.
B-Frank & Sam briefly touch on the teams who have had the best and worst stretches since our last recording (56:00-58:35) before focusing on the top performers during that same time period (58:36-1:01:41). Bryce Hopkins is playing like a man possessed and deserves to be put on every national watchlist he's eligible for. Kadary Richmond is Seton Hall's most reliable offensive weapon by a long shot. Zach Freemantle, much to Sam's chagrin, has appeared to put whatever issues plagued him last year en route to a hyper-efficient stretch of games. Frederick King gets an honorable mention for doing his best Ryan Kalkbrenner impression in the last few games while Creighton's center dealt with and returned from an illness.
They finish up by touching on the Big East's games to watch before the new year (1:01:52-1:03:51) as marquee matchups abound for Villanova, Xavier, UCONN, and Marquette. We also get a Christmas day matchup in Omaha as the Jays host DePaul.
