BIG EAST Notes - 1.12.17
Friday’s Matchups To Watch
Jade Walker (St. John’s) vs. Dorothy Adomako (Georgetown): Walker is having a career year, highlighted by an impressive start to BIG EAST play. The senior shows a 19.8 scoring average to rank second in the league, highlighted by a 32-point showing against Marquette on Sunday, and the top field goal percentage (.606) among all conference players. Adomako has taken over the scoring lead for the Hoyas thanks to four consecutive double-digit performances, including 17 in a win at Providence on Tuesday – with that game, the junior became the 25
th player in Georgetown history to eclipse 1,000 career points. The two longtime foes tipoff at 7 p.m. (ET) on FS1 in one of two nationally televised games this weekend for BIG EAST teams.
Kaela Hilaire (Seton Hall) vs. Adrianna Hahn (Villanova): Hilaire has had the hot hand as of late, averaging 15.7 points over the last three outings, including a 16-point, five- assist showing against Marquette on Tuesday. Despite being limited to six points at Creighton on Tuesday, Hahn has the ability to change a game in a blink with her impressive play beyond the arc – the sophomore averages three triples per contest to tie for the BIG EAST lead. Tipoff is set for 11:30 a.m. on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
Tori Schickel (Butler) vs. Jacqui Grant (DePaul): Two of the top rebounders in the league go head-to-head in Chicago at 8 p.m. on BEDN. Schickel has led the Bulldogs to wins in two of their last three outings, highlighted by a 20-point, 20-rebound showing in Sunday’s victory over Xavier. Despite Brooke Schulte carrying the bulk of the scoring for the Blue Demons lately, Grant has also stepped up, earning double-doubles in four of the last five games, including 23 points and 10 boards at Seton Hall on Sunday. In No. 21/20 DePaul’s current eight-game winning streak, Grant is averaging 14.0 points, 9.1 rebounds.
Raeshaun Gaffney (Xavier) vs. Allazia Blockton (Marquette): Two of the top three scorers go head-to-head Friday at 8 p.m. (BEDN) in Milwaukee. Gaffney lists third in the BIG EAST at 15.6 per game, including 33-point effort against Seton Hall on Jan. 4, and is 22 points shy of 1,000 for her career. Blockton, the reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, lists second at 16.9 per game, was held to 10 point against the Pirates on Tuesday, but posted 20 at St. John’s on Sunday and has a league-high eight 20-point games this year.
Up Next
Providence and Creighton have the lone game on Saturday as the travel partners meet in Rhode Island at noon on BEDN. The Bluejays have caught fire, going 7-1 over their last eight thanks in part to Marissa Janning’s 14.5 scoring average during that stretch. The Friars’ record of 9-8 is deceiving as seven of those eight setbacks are by single digits, including five-point margins against two of the top-three teams in the BIG EAST standings. Maddie Jolin has been a highlight for PC lately, averaging 18.5 points in the last two tilts.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
Seton Hall at Villanova, 11:30 a.m.*#
St. John’s at Georgetown, 7 p.m.*^
Butler at 21/20 DePaul, 8 p.m.*#
Xavier at Marquette, 8 p.m.*#
Saturday
-/RV Creighton at Providence, Noon*#
Sunday
Butler at Marquette, 1 p.m.*^
Seton Hall at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*#
St. John’s at Villanova, 2 p.m.*#
Xavier at 21/20 DePaul, 3 p.m.*#
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
#BEDN
^FS1