Villanova seniors Phil Booth and Eric Paschall host Morgan State tonight.
MBB Minute -- Season Starts with Eight Home Games Tonight
Eight of the 10 BIG EAST teams tip off the 2018-19 season Tuesday night. All are playing at home.
FS1, which will televise over 100 BIG EAST games this season, will carry a doubleheader that includes the two conference squads that are playing in new surroundings. At 7 p.m. ET, Villanova will host Morgan State in the renovated Finneran Pavilion on the Wildcat campus. This year, the reigning NCAA champions will build around a pair of seniors, forward Eric Paschall and guard Phil Booth.
At 9 p.m., FS1 has Marquette playing its first game in the new Fiserv Forum against UMBC. The ultramodern venue has a seating capacity of 17.600. The Golden Eagles, who were picked second in the BIG EAST Coaches’ Preseason Poll, have a pair of preseason all-conference picks, guard Markus Howard and wing Sam Hauser.
At 6:30 p.m. Providence, St. John’s and Seton Hall all start their seasons. The Friars, who are tabbed for third place in the coaches’ poll, host Siena on FSN. The Friars are 53-2 against non-conference foes at home under coach Ed Cooley.
St. John’s hosts Loyola, Md. at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm are led by BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Shamorie Ponds. The junior guard will be joined by returning starters Justin Simon and Marvin Clark II. A group of newcomers led by Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron has fueled plenty of optimism.
Seton Hall hosts Wagner at Walsh Gymnasium. The Pirates are 98-8 all-time in home openers and have won 28 straight games at home against non-league opponents. Junior guard Myles Powell is a Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team selection.
At 8:30 p.m., Xavier, Georgetown and Creighton take the floor. After 10 years as an assistant, Travis Steele makes his coaching debut at Xavier against IUPUI on FS2. Georgetown, which began last season with an 8-0 record, will meet Md.-Eastern Shore. Creighton hosts Western Illinois in the newly-named CHI Health Center. The Bluejays have won 20 of their last 21 season openers.