The point of no return in determining the BIG EAST contenders from the pretenders has passed.

If there’s something that can be taken away from the past two seasons of college basketball, it’s that anything can happen.

As the world approaches Year 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on the sports world is still zero fun.

Between nine games featuring five reigning NCAA Tournament teams over three days, the women’s Daytona Beach Invitational—held in the city’s Ocean Center within walking distance of the shore—is sure to provide an early-season test for schools and players vying for resume building and statement making.

Megan Duffy’s squad will certainly have to “attack transition” as well as attack “in transition” to enjoy success this season. After finishing second in the Big East last season and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the Golden Eagles will have to work to attack the chemistry and cohesion issues that result from roster turnover.

Back like they never left, UConn dominated the Big East last season, sporting a perfect 18-0 record in conference play, after ending their seven-year hiatus in the American Athletic Conference. The undefeated conference mark propelled the Huskies into their seemingly annual, deep NCAA Tournament run, as UConn secured their 13th consecutive Final Four appearance last season.

Here's how to watch the 2021 Daytona Beach Invitational on FloHoops.

March is here and Madness descends on Mohegan Sun Arena, host site of the Big East Tournament. 

The status quo has prevailed most weeks in the Big East. The Connecticut women are undefeated. DePaul and Marquette have held steady in the second tier, not challenging UConn, but also avoiding losses to the bottom of the conference. 

Eleven days after they were upset by Arkansas, Connecticut is poised to once again claim the #1 ranking in the country. 

After opening the season a perfect 10-0, [team:Connecticut] was upset by #19 Arkansas, 90-87 last week. UConn trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, but pulled ahead on an Evian Westbrook three-pointer with 5:30 remaining. 

Marquette’s do-everything guard Selena Lott made quite a splash in an impressive showing of two Big East teams with NCAA Tournament credentials. Her 27-point, 11-assist double-double powered the Golden Eagles to a 95-77 defeat of Villanova, and Lott eclipsed 1,000 career points in the process. 

For most teams in the Big East, the halfway point in the season is fast approaching. Connecticut is dominating, DePaul is solid and three other teams are trying to make their way to the NCAA Tournament. There are no guarantees with the schedule this year, but let’s look at some of the most consequential games remaining on the calendar:

Each week, the Big East’s representation in the AP Top 25 has remained mostly static. Yes, [team:Connecticut] and [team:DePaul] have moved up and down a spot here or there, but there has been no major movement from either team and no signals that another conference team can break into the poll. 

Some Big East teams have played 10 games this season. Others have managed to get in just five.