#BIGEASTmlax Minute – One Spot Left In Playoff Picture
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The BIG EAST men’s lacrosse championship field is down to one spot left and is up for grabs between Villanova and St. Johns, whose game will be featured on the BIG EAST Digital Network on Saturday at 4 p.m. No. 18 Villanova needs a win to qualify. Should St. John’s win, the Red Storm close out the year with a victory over Georgetown as well to be considered in the playoff tiebreaker scenarios.
CBS Sports Network will feature a BIG EAST doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. with a non-conference clash between No. 4 Duke and Marquette. At 3:30 p.m. the top seed in the league tournament is at stake between the league’s two unbeaten teams, Denver and Providence. Both Denver (No. 3) and Providence (No. 20) are nationally ranked and are tied for first in the league standings at 3-0. Ben Holden and Evan Washburn will call the game in Milwaukee and Jason Knapp and Ron Zwerin will have the game in Denver. Nick Mantegna is on the call at Villanova.
Georgetown played a midweek non-conference game against Mount St. Mary's and has a bye this weekend.
Why We Are Watching:
No. 4 Duke at Marquette – HEAD Coaches Classic
(Saturday, 1 p.m., CBSSN)
Since the start of the Marquette lacrosse program, the Golden Eagles and Duke have played each other. Marquette has yet to score a W against the Blue Devils in four meetings. Marquette is 2-2 in the league and has qualified for the BIG EAST Championship. MU will be looking to rebound from two straight league losses at Providence and at Villanova (OT).
No. 20 Providence at No. 3 Denver
(Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN)
Providence at Denver could be a potential battle for the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Championship as these unbeaten teams in league play face each other. It is the second ranked vs. ranked battle in conference play this season as Providence is ranked 20th in the polls this week and Denver moved up to No. 3. Prior to the loss to Brown this week in double-overtime, Providence was riding a five-game winning streak. Currently, Denver has won four in a row. The last time these two teams met was in Denver in the 2016 league championship semifinals. Denver won 17-8. In the regular season meeting, Denver won 17-7. So far this season, 13 goals is the most Providence has let an opponent score on them. As of Monday, Goalie Tate Boyce ranks third in the country in save percentage (.599) and GAAvg. (7.13). Denver’s Trevor Baptiste leads the nation in faceoff win percentage (.754).
St. John’s at No. 18 Villanova
(Saturday, 4 p.m., BEDN)
Villanova needs a win to be the final team to qualify for the upcoming BIG EAST Championship in Providence. St. John’s would need a win over Villanova and win next weekend over Georgetown to remain in the playoff mix. If the Red Storm lose at Villanova, they are officially out of the postseason tournament. Villanova bounced back from its loss to Denver with a 17-12 win at Georgetown, which also moved them up in the standings. Luke Palmadesso was a big part of their win as he helped VU to seven-straight offensive possessions from the faceoff X. Villanova scored on all seven. He went 16-for-24 for the day. Christian Cuccinello leads the offensive for Villanova with 52 points (27G, 25A). Jack Curran is the Wildcats’ goal leader with 34. St. John’s scored the most goals in a loss this season against Denver, 18-12. The Red Storm has been led by rookie Joe Madsen who boasts 23 points (18G, 5A) on the season. Madsen had five against Denver. Villanova took the game against St. John’s 18-13 last season in Queens.
BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Schedule
Saturday, April 22
No. 4 Duke at MARQUETTE (CBSSN) at 1 p.m.
No. 20 PROVIDENCE at No. 3 DENVER (CBSSN) at 3:30 p.m.
ST. JOHN’S at No. 18 VILLANOVA (BEDN) at 4 p.m.