Butler Coach Chris Holtmann
MBB Minute -- Full Slate Of Action For Saturday
Saturday is one of only four days this season when all 10 BIG EAST teams are in action.
The day starts with a pair of games at noon ET. Butler, coming off Wednesday’s 66-58 win over No. 1 Villanova, travels to Georgetown. The FOX broadcast network has the telecast. The No. 18 Bulldogs (13-2, 2-1 BIG EAST) are 3-0 against top 10 teams this season. The Hoyas (8-7, 0-3) are still looking for their first conference win after dropping a 76-70 decision at Providence on Wednesday.
Seton Hall and DePaul meet at the Prudential Center in the other noon matchup. Both teams have been off since last Sunday when the Pirates (11-3, 1-1) beat Marquette 69-66 and the Blue Demons (7-8, 0-2) lost to St. John’s 79-73. CBS Sports Network has the game. Led by Angel Delgado (14.6, 11.6), the Hall has outscored opponents in the paint 526-372 this season. DePaul’s scoring depends on guards Eli Cain (17.9) and Billy Garrett, Jr. (14.7).
Following the Seton Hall-DePaul battle on CBSSN, Creighton visits Providence at 2 p.m. The No 10 ranked Bluejays (14-1, 2-1) have been flying high, averaging a league-leading 88.1 points per game. The Friars (11-5, 1-2) beat Creighton in both meetings last season, including 70-66 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Rodney Bullock leads PC in scoring (17.9) and rebounding (6.5).
St. John’s plays at Xavier at 2:30 p.m. on FS1. The No. 16/15 Musketeers (12-2, 2-0) own a five-game winning streak and are led in scoring by their three guards, Trevon Bluiett (17.9), Edmond Sumner (15.3) and J.P. Macura (14.8). St. John’s (8-8, 2-1) is also paced by a high-scoring backcourt, freshmen Shamorie Ponds (17.6) and Marcus LoVett (17.1).
Villanova (14-1, 2-1) had its 20-game winning streak stopped at Butler on Wednesday. The Wildcats host Marquette at the Wells Fargo Center at 7:30 p.m. on FS1. Villanova guard Jalen Brunson has averaged 25.0 points per game in his last two games. Marquette (10-4, 1-1) wouldn’t mind if free throws become critical in the game. The Golden Eagles have three of the four top free throw shooters in the league – Markus Howard (.963-1
st), Katin Reinhardt (.960-2
nd) and Andrew Rowsey (.933-4
th).