#BIGEASTwbb Minute: Full BEDN Slate On Sunday
WBB Notes - 2.15 Update
Sunday Showdowns
All 10 BIG EAST women’s basketball teams take the court on Sunday with all five games streaming on the BIG EAST Digital Network Presented by SoFi. Leading off the day, St. John’s visits Providence at 1 p.m. ET, before a double-header at 2 p.m. sees Villanova travel to Georgetown and Creighton host Seton Hall. The day concludes with two more games at 3 p.m., as No. 13/13 DePaul looks to lock up at least a share of the BIG EAST regular-season title when it hosts Xavier, while a battle for second-place is set for Milwaukee as Marquette hosts Butler.
Why We’re Watching …
St. John’s at Providence, 1 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): The Red Storm edged the Friars by six, 64-58, when they met earlier this season. Though Providence has firmed up a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament First Round, St. John’s continues to fight to earn a bye as it holds a half-game lead over the current teams tied for the final spot on Day 1. The Johnnies swept one of those teams – Creighton – after a win on Friday, but were swept by the other – Villanova – should it come down to a head-to-head tiebreaker.
Villanova at Georgetown, 2 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): The Wildcats scored a 74-53 win over the Hoyas when they met a month ago. Villanova is currently tied with Creighton for the final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament First Round, but lost to the Bluejays the first time they met this season. Georgetown has already locked up a first-round game, but its opponent is still undetermined. Four of GU’s final five opponents are in the top-100 of the NCAA RPI, including No. 95 Villanova.
Seton Hall at Creighton, 2 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): The Pirates are heating up just in time to make a postseason run, winning four of their last five and six of their last eight. The Hall dealt Creighton an 82-70 defeat back in January, stunning the Bluejays by opening the game on a 19-2 run. After a setback to St. John’s on Friday, the Bluejays will look to get back on track against Seton Hall on Sunday at D.J. Sokol Arena, where the Pirates haven’t won since 2015. Jaylyn Agnew was limited to seven points on Friday night, but the only two other single-digit performances this season were followed by games of 25 and 38 points.
Butler at Marquette, 3 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): In the preseason, no one predicted this would be a battle between first- and second-place teams in the standings in mid-February. Both squads have proved the doubters wrong thanks to gritty defense and rebounding. The Bulldogs average 11.2 thefts per game to rank second in the BIG EAST, while the Golden Eagles have outrebounded all but two opponents this season – one being Butler. The Bulldogs won when the teams met earlier this year in Indianapolis, 61-55, but Marquette is 7-1 since that game.
Xavier at 13/13 DePaul, 3 p.m. (YouTube | Caffeine): The Musketeers have the hardest strength of schedule remaining in the BIG EAST, with its remaining opponents boasting an average NCAA RPI of 65.4. Up next is DePaul, which boasts the BIG EAST’s top RPI at No. 20. The Blue Demons are one win away from clinching at least a share of the BIG EAST regular-season title for the sixth time in the last seven years. DePaul knocked off Xavier earlier this year in Cincinnati, 91-68, as the Blue Demons are 13-0 in BIG EAST regular-season play against the Musketeers.
Up Next
Sunday
St. John’s at Providence, 1 p.m.*^
Villanova at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*^
Seton Hall at Creighton, 2 p.m.*^
Butler at Marquette, 3 p.m.*^
Xavier at 13/13 DePaul, 3 p.m.*^
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN