MBB Minute – In Saturday’s only contest involving a BIG EAST team, No. 3 Villanova lost 81-73 in overtime to Virginia Tech at Mohegan Sun Arena.  The game was arranged just a day before as teams face the schedule challenges related to the pandemic.

Villanova had a double-digit lead in the second half before Virginia Tech rallied to force the extra period.  Collin Gillespie scored a game-high 25 points for the Wildcats.  Caleb Daniels added 17 points while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. 
The Sunday slate includes only one contest.  Creighton plays its season opener with a game against North Dakota State at 4:30 p.m. ET.  The Bluejays, who are ranked 11th in both national polls, have four returning starters, including BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Marcus Zegarowski.

The BIG EAST overall conference record is 14-2 going into Sunday. 

On Saturday, Seton Hall added a home game against Iona on Monday.  The contest is set for 9 p.m. on FS1.

Three more games are slated for Monday.  Providence meets Indiana at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2 in the first round of the Maui Invitational which will be held in Asheville, N.C.  St. John’s plays Boston College at Mohegan Sun at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.  Xavier hosts Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. on FS1.