#BIGEASTmlax Minute – The Hunt For Playoff Berths Begins
BIG EAST Men's Lacrosse Update
NEW YORK – Two BIG EAST men’s lacrosse teams could solidify playoff berths this weekend as play enters the third week of play. With a Villanova win and a Denver win, Villanova could earn a spot. Wins by Villanova, Denver and Marquette would put Marquette into the playoff bracket. The Wildcats are the team to beat with an unblemished 2-0 league record. Last weekend, Villanova defeated Denver, 12-11 at Denver. It was the first time the Pios lost in regular season BIG EAST play.
The Wildcats will play at Georgetown on Sunday on CBS Sports Network. Brent Stover and Evan Washburn have the call from Washington, D.C. Denver will play at St. John’s on the BIG EAST Digital Network on Saturday. Jay Alter is on the call from Queens. Also on Saturday, Marquette will be on the road at Providence looking for league win No. 3.
Why We’re Watching:
No. 13/15 Denver at St. John’s; Saturday, at 1 p.m. ET (BEDN)
Denver and St. John’s meet in Queens for the sixth time in series history. The Pioneers have won all five of the previous meetings, including 15-6 in Denver last year. The Red Storm will be celebrating senior day with 10 seniors being honored pregame. St. John’s (4-7, 0-2) has lost its last two conference games, 8-7 in overtime to Providence and 12-8 to Marquette. The Red Storm is looking for a win to remain in the conversation for a postseason bid. Red Storm goalie Brody Agres had 13 saves in the loss, Colin Duffy had five goals. Ranked as high as 13th nationally, Denver (6-4, 1-1) enters Saturday in uncharted territory. Last weekend, the Pioneers lost their first conference game since joining the league in 2014. Villanova defeated Denver 12-11 ending a 27-game winning streak. Ethan Walker, Austin French and Ellis Geis each had two goals in the loss.
Marquette at Providence; Saturday at 1 p.m. ET
Marquette (6-5, 2-1) is a game ahead in the BIG EAST standings and could clinch a playoff berth. However, Marquette’s fate is tied in with Villanova and Denver. Should all three teams win, Marquette would get one of the four bids to the postseason tournament. Marquette has defeated Georgetown and St. John’s so far this season, but lost to Villanova. MU is coming off a 13-6 setback at No. 12/10 Notre Dame on Wednesday on the road. Saturday will be Marquette’s second straight road game. Providence (5-6, 1-1) defeated St. John’s, 8-7 in OT to start the season, but lost last weekend to Georgetown, 17-15. Five of Providence’s 11 games this season have been decided by just one goal. The Friars are 2-3 in those contests. Marquette leads the all-time series against Providence, 5-1. The Golden Eagles are 2-1 in Providence. Marquette has won the last two meetings, 10-9 in the BIG EAST Championship game at Providence and 12-11 in overtime during regular season play last season. Four of the five wins by Marquette were by just one goal.
No. 16/14 Villanova at Georgetown; Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
Villanova (7-4, 2-0) is the only team in the league coming into the weekend on a winning streak. The Wildcats have won their last four games and have jumped into the standings this week at 16/14 after a marquee 12-11 victory over then-No. 10 Denver last Saturday. The victory ended Denver’s 27-game BIG EAST regular season winning streak. With no losses on their record, the Wildcats could clinch a BIG EAST playoff berth. In win by Villanova along with a win by Denver would solidify Villanova a spot in the four-team field. Georgetown (8-4, 1-2) is coming off a loss at No. 2 Loyola, 16-14. Daniel Bucaro reached the 200-goal mark, while Jake Carraway tallied his 100th career goal in the loss. Carraway had five goals with an assist in the game. Georgetown earned its first league win of the season last weekend, 17-15 at Providence. The Hoyas have lost to Marquette and Denver. Sunday will be the 26th meeting all-time between the two teams. Last season, Georgetown won both matchups in the regular season and the BIG EAST semifinal. Villanova had won 15 of the previous games with their last win coming at Georgetown in 2017 by a final of 17-12.
#BIGEASTmlax Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, April 13
No. 13/15 DENVER at ST. JOHN’S, 1 p.m. (BEDN)
MARQUETTE at PROVIDENCE, 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 14
No. 16/14 VILLANOVA at GEORGETOWN, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16
Brown at PROVIDENCE, 7 p.m.
All times listed are Eastern