No. 5 Xavier takes a 10-game winning streak into Saturday's contest against Providence, on FOX.
MBB Minute – Full Slate Of Conference Games Set For Saturday
For the first time this season, all 10 BIG EAST teams will be in action on the same day.
Saturday’s slate starts with a pair of games at noon ET. No. 5 Xavier plays at Providence on FOX with the Musketeers (15-1) taking a 10-game winning streak into the contest. They were the first team in the nation to reach 15 wins. Providence (10-6, 1-2) is coming off a 95-90 overtime loss to Marquette. The Friars are 4-1 all-time against Xavier at home and won last year’s meeting at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center 75-63.
The other noon contest is Creighton at Georgetown on FSN. The Bluejays, ranked 24
th in the USA Today poll, are 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the BIG EAST. All three of the Bluejay losses have come against ranked teams. The Hoyas are coming off a 90-81 victory over DePaul to give them a 1-2 BIG EAST record. Georgetown (11-3) is 4-0 at home against Creighton.
St. John’s (10-5) and DePaul (7-8) are looking for their first BIG EAST wins when the two teams meet at Carnesecca Arena at 2 p.m. on FSN. DePaul’s Max Strus continues to be the league’s top scoring newcomer, sporting an 18.6 average. St. John’s Shamorie Ponds is fourth in the BIG EAST in scoring (19.5), fifth in assists (4.9) and first in steals (2.7). St. John’s (10-5) has won its last eight home games.
At 2:30 p.m. on FS1, Butler hosts No. 21 Seton Hall at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs will be facing their third straight ranked opponent and are coming off an 86-79 loss at No. 5 Xavier. Butler’s Kelan Martin has averaged 16.9 points in his last four games against the Pirates. Seton Hall (13-2) is 2-0 in BIG EAST play and looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 1998-99. The Pirates are 2-7 against the Bulldogs, but won last year’s meeting at Hinkle 70-64.
The day concludes with No. 3 Villanova hosting Marquette at Wells Fargo Arena at 8 p.m. on FS1. The Wildcats (13-1) have not played since last Saturday’s 101-93 loss at Butler. They have averaged 94.0 points over their last four contests. Marquette is coming off a 95-90 overtime win at Providence when Markus Howard tied the BIG EAST scoring record with 52 points. In the game, Howard shot 17-of-29 from the floor, 11-of-19 from 3-point range and 7-of-7 from the foul line. He has yet to miss a free throw this season in 45 attempts.