Seton Hall's Myles Powell
MBB Minute -- Seton Hall Tops Texas Tech at MSG; Creighton at Gonzaga Tonight
Seton Hall took down No. 22 Texas Tech 89-79 at Madison Square Garden Thursday night. Desi Rodriguez continued his strong play with a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds. Myles Powell, who finished with 19 points, helped seal the win by scoring seven straight points in 45 seconds late in the contest. The Red Raiders had not allowed 70 or more points to an opponent this season.
At MSG since 2014, the Pirates are 5-1 against Associated Press ranked teams and they have won eight of their last 16 against AP ranked teams overall.
Creighton at No. 15 Gonzaga is the lone game on Friday’s BIG EAST schedule. ESPN2 will televise at 10:05 p.m. ET. It will be the Bluejays’ fourth ranked opponent away from home in the last five games. Among those ranked teams, Creighton beat Northwestern and UCLA, but lost to Baylor.
Saturday’s loaded schedule shows seven games, including three intense local rivalries.
The day begins with No. 21 Xavier hosting No. 11 Cincinnati in the Crosstown Shootout at noon on FS1. The Musketeers have won the last six home meetings against the Bearcats.
Providence plays at Rhode Island on CBS Sports Network at 5 p.m. The Friars have taken the last seven meetings, but have won the last two games against the Rams by a total of five points.
After a Wednesday win against Pennsylvania, Villanova continues its Philadelphia Big 5 play with a game at Saint Joseph’s at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The Wildcats have won 19 straight in the city series and beat the Hawks last year 88-57.
Three other games start at 2 p.m. Butler hosts Saint Louis on FS1. The Bulldogs have won 38 in a row at Hinkle Field House against non-conference opponents. Marquette hosts Georgia on CBS Sports Network. Marquette won 89-79 at Georgia last year. DePaul hosts Youngstown State at Wintrust Arena. Max Strus leads all BIG EAST newcomers with a 14.8 scoring average.
At 4:30 p.m., FS1 televises St. John’s and Sacred Heart meeting at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm (6-1) lead the league in scoring defense, allowing only 60.7 ppg.
BIG EAST teams are a combined 53-13 (.803) this season going into Friday.