MBB Minute – Georgetown, Xavier, Villanova Win First-Round Tourney Games
Georgetown, Xavier and Villanova all recorded Thursday victories in tournament play, which increased the overall for BIG EAST teams to 36-7 (.837).
Georgetown knocked off a ranked foe, No. 22 Texas, 82-66 in the semifinals of the 2K Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden. Trailing 42-37 at the break, the Hoyas put together a blistering second half, outscoring the Longhorns 45-24 en route to their victory. Mac McClung scored a game-high 19 points. Four other Hoyas reached double figures. The Georgetown defense limited Texas to 22.2 percent shooting after halftime. The 4-1 Hoyas meet No. 1 Duke tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 for the tournament title.
Xavier used a balanced attack in its 73-51 handling of Towson in the first round of the Charleston Classic. The Musketeers, ranked 18th in the AP poll, built a 31-20 lead by halftime and controlled play in the second half. Transfer Jason Carter had 13 points and nine rebounds while Tyrique Jones finished with 12 points and 12 boards for this 13th career double-double. Xavier plays Connecticut, which is returning to the BIG EAST next season, at 9 p.m. on ESPNU. UConn defeated Buffalo 79-68 in its first-round game.
Villanova took any drama out of its game against Middle Tennessee State when Collin Gillespie scored eight points in the first minute of a 98-69 victory in the first round of the Myrtle Beach Classic. Cole Swider poured in 21 of his game-high 26 points by halftime when the Wildcats led 53-28. Villanova, ranked 17th in the AP poll, plays Mississippi State in the semifinal round at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Butler and Creighton are also in action, playing at home on FS1. The 4-0 Bulldogs host Morehead State at 7 p.m. Butler has won 54 straight home games against non-conference opponents. The 2-1 Bluejays meet Cal-Poly at 9 p.m. for what will be the first of four games in eight days as part of the Las Vegas Invitational.