In The Polls
Following its 96-63 win over then-No. 24/24 DePaul, Marquette reached new heights in both national polls, setting program standards for highest rankings. The Golden Eagles improved five spots in the AP Poll and two in the
USA Today Coaches’ Poll to No. 15/14 – matching the highest rankings by any BIG EAST team since conference realignment. DePaul, which is currently receiving votes in both polls, was No. 15/14 on Nov. 29, 2016. Boasting its best start as a Division I program, Butler is receiving votes in both national polls for the first time as a member of the BIG EAST. The Bulldogs are 4-0 in BIG EAST play for the first time while its 14-1 start is their finest since 1981-82.
RPI Update
Four BIG EAST teams are in the top 50 of the latest NCAA RPI, including two in the top 20. No. 17 Marquette leads the pack for the seventh consecutive week, while Butler remained in the top 20 at No. 18 for a second straight week. Villanova (32) and DePaul (48) were also in the top 50, while St. John’s enjoyed a 13-spot jump for its highest ranking since late November at No. 65. Creighton remained in the top 100 for a second straight week at No. 77, while Georgetown posted its highest showing of the season at No. 88 – an 18-spot leap from a week ago. The BIG EAST was listed as the No. 5 conference, marking the sixth consecutive week the league has been ranked in the top five among all Division I leagues.
Friday’s Lineup – Why We’re Watching …
Providence at St. John’s (11 a.m., BEDN): The Friars swept St. John’s last year, marking the first time PC took two in a row from the Red Storm since 2001-02. Providence is coming off a win over fellow longtime foe Villanova on Sunday thanks to its best shooting night of the season at .523, while the Red Storm fell at Butler. It could be a battle of sophomore New Yorkers on Friday morning in Queens, as Staten Island native Qadashah Hoppie is the Red Storm’s leading scorer this year at 12.4 per game, while Bronx native Chanell Williams had two of her biggest games as a rookie against St. John’s, averaging 11.5 per tilt in each of those matchups.
Creighton at Seton Hall (11 a.m., BEDN): Two of the last four regular-season meetings between these two have gone into overtime, including last year’s game in Omaha when the Bluejays erupted for 17 points in the extra frame. Friday’s matchup pits two of the BIG EAST’s top-five scorers against one another as conference leader Audrey Faber (17.7) will look to boost Creighton over fourth-ranked scorer Shadeen Samuels (15.9) and the Pirates. SHU is 7-0 this year at Walsh Gym.
15/14 Marquette at Villanova (11:30 a.m., BEDN): Despite being without injured BIG EAST Player of the Year Allazia Blockton, the Golden Eagles are firing on all cylinders, winning all three BIG EAST contests by an average margin of 30 points. Natisha Hiedeman has been the catalyst, averaging 24.3 points, 5.0 assists and 3.7 steals in conference play. The shorthanded Wildcats were without starters Jannah Tucker and Grace Stant in Sunday’s setback at Providence, but Adrianna Hahn has been steady lately, averaging 15.2 points over their last five outings.
RV/RV Butler at Xavier (7 p.m., BEDN): The Bulldogs are the team to beat right now, winners of eight straight, including four BIG EAST contests. Butler players have taken turns in the spotlight as sometimes it’s Tori Schickel who has the big game, others its Whitney Jennings, or Michelle Weaver or Kristen Spolyar. The Musketeers have had a clear leader in A’riana Gray, as the BIG EAST’s leading rebounder had a monster game of 19 points and 22 boards in Sunday’s overtime win over Seton Hall. Gray is the lone BIG EAST player averaging double-figure rebounds (10.5), while Schickel is 10 boards shy of 1,000 for her career.
RV/RV DePaul at Georgetown (7 p.m., BEDN): Both squads will look to get back on track on Friday evening in DC. They split the season series a year ago, with the road team winning each game. The Blue Demons boast the top scoring offense in the BIG EAST at 84.9 points per game, while the Hoyas’ bread and butter is defense, holding opponents to an average of 55.7 points per game, second best in the league. GU’s Dionna White ranks fifth in the conference in scoring (15.6), while DePaul can make scoring runs easily with its dangerous three-point shooting which is led by Ashton Millender’s 2.8 made triples per game.
Upcoming Schedule
Friday - Jan. 11
Providence at St. John’s, 11 a.m.*#
Creighton at Seton Hall, 11 a.m.*#
15/14 Marquette at Villanova, 11:30 a.m.*#
RV/RV Butler at Xavier, 7 p.m.*#
RV/RV DePaul at Georgetown, 7 p.m.*#
Sunday - Jan. 13
Providence at Seton Hall, 1 p.m.*+
RV/RV DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m.*#
15/14 Marquette at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*#
Creighton at St. John’s, 2 p.m.*#
#BEDN
+FS2
*BIG EAST contest
All times Eastern