MBB Minute: Second Week Of League Play Starts Tuesday
Now, that the league openers and the New Year’s Marathon are in the rear view mirror, BIG EAST teams are settling in for another second week of conference play.
All 10 teams are in action either Tuesday or Wednesday.
FS1 has a doubleheader on Tuesday with Marquette playing at Providence at 7 p.m. ET followed by Georgetown at Creighton at 9 p.m. Also, Butler visits DePaul on FSN at 8 p.m.
Kris Dunn, the reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week, will be trying to help Providence to a 3-0 start in league play for the first time since 2008-09. He is the only player in the nation ranked in the top 10 nationally in steals (2nd, 3.08) and assists (6th, 7.3). Marquette’s Henry Ellenson averaged 13.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in his first two BIG EAST games last week. He is the third top rebounding freshman in the nation with a 9.9 average and ranks third overall in the BIG EAST in scoring with a 16.2 mark.
Georgetown is off to a 2-0 start in league play after wins against DePaul and Marquette. D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera is the Hoyas’ top scorer, averaging 15.0 ppg. Creighton is 1-1 after winning at St. John’s and losing to Villanova at home. Geoffrey Groselle leads the BIG EAST in field goal shooting at 75.3 percent.
DePaul, after a 78-74 loss on Saturday at Seton Hall, will be looking for its first league win. DePaul’s Billy Garrett, Jr. has scored at least 20 points his last three games. Butler will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Xavier. Kelan Martin averaged 16.7 in two BIG EAST games last week.