Crucial Head-To-Head Matchups
Marissa Janning (Creighton) vs. Raeshaun Gaffney (Xavier): Janning is coming off her second 20-point game of the season on Sunday against St. John’s and posted 15 points, six rebounds and five dimes against Xavier earlier this year. Pressure is on the nationally ranked Bluejays who are on pace to claim at least a share of their first BIG EAST regular-season title. Gaffney has scored in double figures in every game but four this season, with one of those being against RV/25 Creighton on Dec. 30. The redshirt-senior scored 11 points and grabbed eight boards at Georgetown on Sunday. Tipoff on FS2 is set for 7 p.m. (ET).
Yoyo Nogic (Providence) vs. Sydney Shelton (Butler): Nogic is just the fourth BIG EAST player since realignment to drain more than 50 three-pointers in league play, entering Friday’s tilt at Butler with 53 triples. The sophomore sank four against Seton Hall on Sunday en route to 19 points, and totaled five in the Friars’ win over the Bulldogs on Dec. 30. Shelton has come on strong late for Butler, averaging 13.0 points per game over the last seven outings. She made 4-of-9 attempts from the field against PC earlier this season towards nine points. BIG EAST Digital Network coverage begins at 7 p.m.
Adrianna Hahn (Villanova) vs. Brooke Schulte (DePaul): No. 19/18 DePaul is the only BIG EAST team to hold Hahn without a three-pointer this season as the sophomore’s .459 clip from deep leads the league. Hahn and Schulte are the only two conference players to post multiple 30-point games this season, with Hahn’s second coming just a week ago with a career-high 33 against Xavier. Schulte is averaging 21.6 points per game in league play and is on the verge of becoming the second Blue Demon in three years to lead the BIG EAST in scoring. She totaled 23 points and seven boards in DePaul’s win over Villanova on Dec. 30. A victory for the Blue Demons moves them one step closer to a fourth-consecutive regular-season title, while the Wildcats are still in the running to climb as high as the No. 3 seed. Tipoff on BEDN is set for 8 p.m.
Dorothy Adomako (Georgetown) vs. Allazia Blockton (Marquette): Adomako has caught fire as of late, averaging 19.2 points and 3.8 rebounds over the last five games. She totaled 13 points and three boards in a late December setback to the Golden Eagles. Blockton is boasting a 13-game double-digit scoring streak and totaled 21 points and six rebounds in that earlier win over the Hoyas. A win over Georgetown would lock the Hoyas into the No. 6 seed and get RV/RV Marquette one step closer to the No. 3 seed. Tipoff on BEDN is set for 8 p.m.
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