This week is HEADstrong Awareness Week.
#BIGEASTmlax Minute: Playoff Berths At Stake
BIG EAST Notes
NEW YORK – All three league games are being broadcast on television this weekend, starting with Providence at Marquette on Time Warner Cable Sports Wisconsin. Denver’s game at home against St. John’s will be on Altitude Sports and Georgetown at Villanova will be on CBS Sports Network.
Two teams can secure a playoff spot this week in the third full Saturday of BIG EAST play, Marquette and Denver. Last weekend’s win over St. John’s was probably the clincher for the Golden Eagles, but with too many games remaining for the other teams and one of the tie-breakers being point-differential, there were too many unknowns to declare a full-out clinch.
Why We’re Watching:
Providence at Marquette (12 p.m. ET) - No. 19/17 Marquette could go 4-0 in league play with a win over the Friars, who have been skirting the edge of the top 20 all year. Marquette lost an 8-7 heart-breaker in overtime on Wednesday at No. 2/1 Notre Dame. With the largest senior class in Division I currently the Golden Eagles want to send their 19 upperclassman off in style. Providence is tied at 1-1 in league action and need a win to stay in the conversation for the BIG EAST Championship. Marquette leads the all-time series 2-0.
St. John’s at Denver (2 p.m. ET) - Two games in, No. 3 Denver is tied for first with Marquette at 2-0. Denver has never lost a game in BIG EAST play in the two years the Pioneers have been a part of the league. The Pioneers are coming off a 12-11 victory at Villanova last weekend, in a clash of two of the top-scoring teams in the country. Denver has played five of their last six games away from Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. St. John’s is still looking for a win in league action to end its current three-game skid. In the loss against Marquette last week, the Red Storm outshot the Golden Eagles 37-26, 17-2 in the second quarter.
Georgetown at Villanova (5 p.m. ET) - Despite an 0-2 league record, No. 18/19 Villanova still ranks in the national top 20 and is looking to make a run in the final three games of BIG EAST play. The Wildcats’ two losses have come against the top teams in the standings. Georgetown is looking to put together a string of wins, two, after an 8-5 victory at home against Providence last week. It was the Hoyas’ first win at home this season, ending a six-game losing streak. Villanova still boasts the No. 1 scorer in the country with Jake Froccaro (3.40 goals per game).
HEADstrong Foundation Cancer Awareness Week
Denver, Marquette and Villanova all partnered with the HEADstrong Foundation, a new joint venture with the USILA. On Saturday, April 16 against Providence, Marquette will be wearing lime green shoe laces and using lime green nets in support of HEADstrong’s Awareness Week. Villanova’s HEADstrong game will be April 30, also against Providence. Denver played their HEADstrong game was against Penn State on March 27. More than 72 teams have designated a HEADstrong game. For more on the partnership, visit www.HEADstrong.org. Marquette head coach Joe Amplo coached HEADstrong founder Nick Colleluori at Hofstra.
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, April 16
PROVIDENCE at (19/17) MARQUETTE – 12 p.m. ET (TWC)
ST. JOHN’S at (3/3) DENVER – 2 p.m. ET (Altitude Sports)
GEORGETOWN at (18/19) VILLANOVA – 5 p.m. (CBS Sports)
Recent Results:
Wednesday, April 13
(2/1) Notre Dame 8, (19/17) MARQUETTE 7 (OT)
Saturday, April 9
(4/4) DENVER 12, (16/18) VILLANOVA 11
(19/17) MARQUETTE 11, ST. JOHN’S 7
GEORGETOWN 8, PROVIDENCE 5