MBB Minute -- Villanova's Win At Purdue In Gavitt Tipoff Games Highlights 5-0 Night For BIG EAST
The Gavitt Tipoff Games began Monday night with No. 3/3 Villanova grabbing a 79-76 road victory against No. 15/15 Purdue in front of 14,804 frenzied fans at Mackey Arena. Josh Hart scored a game-high 24 points and Darryl Reynolds added 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
The Villanova win capped a 5-0 night for BIG EAST teams. The league is a collective 15-0 in the young season.
No. 11/10 Xavier handled a Buffalo team that has played in the last two NCAA Tournaments by an 86-53 score. The Musketeers’ scoring punch came from guards J.P. Macura (18 points), Edmond Sumner (13) and Trevon Bluiett (13).
Marquette moved to 2-0 after taking down visiting Howard 81-49. Graduate transfer Katin Reinhardt and Jajuan Johnson each scored 14 points and Haanif Cheatham produced 12 points, a team-high seven rebounds and six assists.
St. John’s is also 2-0 after a 77-61 triumph over Binghamton at Carnesecca Arena. The freshman backcourt duo of Marcus LoVett and Shamorie Ponds could not be stopped. LoVett scored a game-high 23 points and Ponds contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Providence was the last league squad to start its season. The Friars won their season opener 80-58 over Vermont. Forward Emmitt Holt, a junior college transfer, sparkled in his Friar debut with 22 points. Rodney Bullock added 18 points. Kyron Cartwright added nine points and 12 assists.
Both games on Tuesday’s schedule are on FS1 and are part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Georgetown hosts Maryland, ranked No. 24 in the USA Today poll, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The second tilt has No. 22/20 Creighton meeting No. 9/11 Wisconsin at CenturyLink Center.