WBB Notes - 2.16.21
National Polls and Projected Seeds – Huskies Are On Top
UConn is the No. 1 team in the country through at least three standards of measurement: the AP Poll, the USA Today Coaches Poll, and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, which donned the Huskies the No. 1 overall seed in last night’s first top-16 early reveal. UConn, which is also atop the BIG EAST standings with a perfect 13-0 mark, took over the top spot in Monday’s AP Poll for the 246^th week all-time. It marks the ninth consecutive season they’ve ascended to the top, having done so in 21 of the last 27 seasons. UConn has been ranked in the AP Poll for 522 consecutive weeks, including 295 straight weeks in the top 10. Monday’s top-16 early reveal was the first of two being provided this season by the NCAA committee, with the second taking place on March 1. The announcement of the 64-team, 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship bracket will take place on Monday, March 15 during the ESPN Selection Show (7 p.m. ET).
 
What’s #Trending
Bueckers Makes History (again): UConn rookie Paige Bueckers not only swept the BIG EAST weekly honors on Monday but swept the national honors on Tuesday, becoming the first player in USBWA awards history to do so.
Press Play: After hitting the pause button earlier this month, Villanova and Xavier return to the court this week. The Wildcats begin their three-game week onTuesday at home against Butler, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET. That game will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi, available on FloSports. The Musketeers will play their first game since Jan. 23 when they visit 19^th-ranked DePaul on Wednesday at 5 p.m. That game will also stream live on BEDN.
Creighton Catch Your Breath: The Bluejays made program history in nail-biting fashion on Monday, beating Georgetown 42-41. Creighton won at Seton Hall, 77-76 in overtime on Saturday, marking the first time the Bluejays have won back-to-back games by a single point. Creighton has had seven games decided by 10 points or less this year, as only St. John’s has played more narrowly decided games in 2020-21. The Red Storm have had eight games decided by single digits.  
DePaul For 3: The Blue Demons are known for sinking threes, but this week’s reference is to the number of spots they climbed in both national polls – DePaul jumped three spots in each poll to No. 19 this week. The AP ranking is its highest since being No. 17 on Jan. 26, while its USA Today Coaches Poll slot matches its best since the preseason.
Sharing The Sugar: Three BIG EAST teams rank in the top five among all Division I teams in assists per game: No. 2 UConn (21.5), No. 4 Villanova (20.9) and No. 5 Marquette (20.6). When considering how many field goals each team averages, the Wildcats lead the BIG EAST by assisting on 75 percent of their baskets. Marquette follows with a 71-percent clip, while the Huskies round out the top three by dishing on 66 percent of their makes. Creighton also provides helpers on over 60 percent of its buckets, as the Bluejays have 202 dimes on 315 made field goals for a 64-percent dish rate.
 
Midweek Action
Villanova plays its first game since Feb. 3 when it hosts Butler Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET. That game will stream live on BEDN (WATCH). Wednesday’s slate sees Xavier return to the court for the first time since Jan. 23 when it visits 19/19 DePaul at 5 p.m. on BEDN (WATCH), while St. John’s hosts 1/1 UConn at 6 p.m., in a game airing on SNY. Georgetown-Seton Hall which was set for Wednesday has been slid to Thursday at 11 a.m. due to weather impacting team travel. Hoyas-Pirates will also stream on BEDN (WATCH).
 
This Week In The BIG EAST
Monday
CREIGHTON 42, GEORGETOWN 41* - Recap | Box
19/22 DePAUL 82, SETON HALL 76# - Recap | Box
Tuesday
BUTLER at VILLANOVA, 7 p.m.*
Wednesday
XAVIER at 19/19 DePAUL, 5 p.m.*
1/1 UCONN at ST. JOHN’S, 6 p.m.^
Thursday
GEORGETOWN at SETON HALL, 11 a.m.*
Friday
VILLANOVA at MARQUETTE, 8 p.m.*
Saturday
PROVIDENCE at SETON HALL, 1 p.m.*
CREIGHTON at 19/19 DePAUL, 2 p.m.#
1/1 UCONN at XAVIER, 3 p.m.^
Sunday
VILLANOVA at GEORGETOWN, 2 p.m.*
PROVIDENCE at ST. JOHN’S, 2 p.m.*
All Times Eastern
BIG EAST game in CAPS
*-BEDN
^-SNY
 #-FS1