National Poll Newcomer
For the first time since 1992, Creighton is a top-25 team as the Bluejays came in at No. 25 in Tuesday’s
USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Creighton spent the final three weeks of the 1991-92 season in the AP Poll and two weeks in the Coaches’ Poll. With the Creighton men ranked 23
rd in both polls, the Bluejays become the third BIG EAST school since conference realignment to have both men’s and women’s basketball teams ranked in the top 25, joining St. John’s (Dec. 16, 2014) and Seton Hall (Jan. 19, 2015). DePaul continued to lead the BIG EAST women in both national polls, coming in at No. 19/18, while Marquette received votes in both polls for the fifth week this season. Creighton also received votes in the AP Poll, more than tripling its points total from the week before.
Regular-Season Finale
The final weekend of the regular season is upon us with still no seeds solidified for the upcoming BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament presented by Jeep. The regular-season title will go to No. 19/18 DePaul, RV/25 Creighton or both. The preseason co-favorites enter the weekend with matching 14-2 conference records and a three-game lead over RV/RV Marquette and Villanova, who are locked into a third-place draw and are the only teams that can claim the No. 3 seed. At 10-7 with Seton Hall left to play, current fifth-place squad St. John’s can rise as high as the No. 4 seed or drop as low as No. 6. The current No. 6, Georgetown, will have the opportunity to clinch some high-ranking wins when it travels to the Midwest to face the Golden Eagles and Blue Demons this weekend. The bottom four teams are all locked into playing in the tournament’s first round on March 4, but jockeying for seeding remains as the Pirates, Xavier, Providence and Butler all remain fluid in the 7-10 slots. The Friars will face the Musketeers and Bulldogs this weekend, while Butler and Xavier will also be tasked with the nationally ranked Bluejays.
Tune-In Television
The BIG EAST’s top-two teams will be on national television this weekend in their quest to claim a regular-season crown, starting Friday when RV/25 Creighton visits Xavier. Tipoff at the Cintas Center is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) on FS2. The Bluejays scored a 63-52 home win over the Musketeers on Dec. 30. No. 19/18 DePaul could potentially clinch at least a share of its fourth consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title on FS1 on Sunday when the Blue Demons host Georgetown at 1 p.m. The nationally ranked Blue Demons won in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 28, 76-53. The remaining seven tilts will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network, including Villanova at RV/RV Marquette and Seton Hall at St. John’s on Sunday afternoon.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
RV/25 Creighton at Xavier, 7 p.m.*&
Providence at Butler, 7 p.m.*#
Villanova at 19/18 DePaul, 8 p.m.*#
Georgetown at RV/RV Marquette, 8 p.m.*#
Sunday
Providence at Xavier, 11:30 a.m.*#
RV/25 Creighton at Butler, 1 p.m.*#
Georgetown at 19/18 DePaul, 1 p.m.*^
Seton Hall at St. John’s, 2 p.m.*#
Villanova at RV/RV Marquette, 3 p.m.*#
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
#BEDN
^FS1
&FS2