MBB Minute – Butler Moves Up in the Polls, Two Games Set for Tuesday
In the national polls released on Monday, Butler moved up to No. 6 in the AP and USA Today polls. It’s the highest ranking for the Bulldogs in school history. Butler is 14-1 overall and 2-0 in BIG EAST play.
Tuesday’s BIG EAST slate shows a doubleheader on FS1 with Marquette hosting Providence at 7 p.m. ET and Villanova traveling to Creighton at 9 p.m.
After an uneven start to the season, Providence has won three in a row, including their first two BIG EAST games. The Friars are 9-6 overall. Marquette is coming off a 71-60 home win over Villanova with Markus Howard netting 29 points. He leads the nation in scoring with a 25.8 average. Marquette won both regular-season meetings last year, including a 79-68 decision at Fiserv Forum. The Friars are 2-0 in BIG EAST play for the first time since 2015-16. They have not started 3-0 since 2008-09.
Villanova is 11-3 overall, 1-1 in league play and ranked 16th nationally in both polls. Creighton is 12-1 overall and 1-1 in the BIG EAST. The Bluejays are 10-0 at CHI Health Center, with each win coming by at least nine points. Creighton has won 15 straight at home dating to last season. Two of the last three meetings between the teams have gone into overtime, including the last matchup, a 66-59 Villanova homecourt victory on Feb. 6.
Home teams are 7-3 in league games going into Tuesday.