MBB Minute – In the only game on Wednesday’s BIG EAST schedule, Villanova used a late surge in the first half to grab the lead and gain a 78-63 victory against St. John’s at Finneran Pavilion.
 
The visiting Johnnies (11-2, 1-1 BIG EAST) controlled most of the first half and led 31-22 before the Wildcats (7-5, 1-0) closed the first stanza with a 13-0 run and a 35-31 lead. Villanova outscored St. John’s 43-32 in the second half. The Wildcat defense helped limit the Johnnies to 1-of-11 shooting from 3-point range after halftime.
 
Villanova’s balanced offense was led by Eric Dixon’s 18 points and Brandon Slater’s 16. Caleb Daniels and Jordan Longino each added 13. The Wildcats have won five in a row. St. John’s Joel Soriano posted his nation-leading 11^th double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Thursday’s schedule also includes just one game. Creighton (6-6, 0-1) hosts Butler (8-4, 0-1) at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. The home team has won the last 10 games in the series when not playing on a neutral floor.
 
The two head coaches have combined for 1,009 career wins. Creighton’s Greg McDermott has 562 and Butler’s Thad Matta has 447.
 
The Butler starters, who are all averaging in double figures, have supplied nearly 90 percent of the Bulldog scoring. Butler has committed only 11.9 fouls per game, fewest in the nation. Creighton also has all five starters hitting in double figures if you include Ryan Kalkbrenner, who has missed the last three games due to illness. The Bluejays will be trying to avoid their first 0-2 start in BIG EAST play since 2014-15.
 
After tonight’s contest, Creighton is back in action on Christmas Day when it hosts DePaul on FOX at 4:30 p.m. The game will be the first on Christmas Day in the history of the conference.