BIG EAST Notes - 11.15.16
In The Polls
DePaul opened the year 2-0 and gained ground in both the Associated Press and
USA Today Coaches’ Polls this week, climbing one spot in each to No. 20/20. Creighton received votes in the AP Poll for the second consecutive week, as did St. John’s in the Coaches’ Poll. BIG EAST squads have three teams on the schedule this week which are either ranked or receiving votes – Marquette hosts No. 18/16 Arizona State on Saturday and -/RV St. John’s welcomes No. 22/22 Miami on Sunday, while RV/- Creighton faces -/RV Drake on Thursday. Nine of 10 BIG EAST schools boasted strength of schedules within the top 100 among all Division I teams last season, including DePaul at No. 26, Marquette at No. 53 and Villanova at No. 65.
Opening Weekend Recap
BIG EAST teams combined for a 10-5 opening weekend record. No. 20/20 DePaul led the way with two wins, reaching the 90-point mark in both tilts. Marquette (1-0) also posted a large-margin, high-scoring victory in its opener, topping Longwood 87-37. In his Friartown debut, head coach Jim Crowley led Providence to its first double-overtime victory since 2013 as the Friars edged Colgate, 92-85. Seton Hall had the distinction of playing the first game of the 2016-17 season, tipping off at 11 a.m. on Friday against Savannah State. The Pirates won 74-60. Other notable wins include Xavier’s over Tennessee State in the second annual Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic, Villanova beat Purdue in the second game of the Maine Tip-Off Tournament, Georgetown spoiled former BIG EAST standout Jen Rizzotti’s head coaching debut at George Washington with a Friday night victory, St. John’s scored a road win at William & Mary and Butler edged Bradley on a last-second layup.
Midweek Matchups
The first full week of games is a busy one for BIG EAST teams as six squads combine for seven games between Tuesday and Thursday. Seton Hall will play a pair of regional foes, starting Tuesday at Marist before hosting Boston College on Thursday. -/RV St. John’s has a difficult slate this week, starting with 2016 NCAA Tournament Second Round squad Duquesne on Thursday before facing the nationally ranked Hurricanes on Sunday. Butler (vs. IPFW), Providence (vs. North Dakota State) and Marquette (vs. St. Francis) will all aim to string together a second consecutive win when they return to the court midweek as well. RV/- Creighton rounds out the matches with its first home game of the season as the Bluejays welcome -/RV Drake to Omaha on Thursday.
Midweek Schedule
Tuesday
Seton Hall at Marist, 7 p.m.
Saint Francis (Pa.) at Marquette, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
IPFW at Butler, 11 a.m.
North Dakota St. at Providence, Noon
Thursday
Boston College at Seton Hall, 7 p.m.
Duquesne at -/RV St. John’s, 7 p.m.
-/RV Drake at RV/- Creighton, 8 p.m.
All times Eastern