MBB Minute – Connecticut and Xavier, the BIG EAST’s two ranked teams, picked up hard-fought victories on Wednesday night.
 
Second-ranked UConn improved to 14-0 overall and 3-0 in BIG EAST play with a 74-66 win over Villanova (7-6, 1-1 BIG EAST) at a sold-out XL Center. Holding a 58-56 lead with 3:36 to play, the Huskies held off the Wildcats by hitting 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch. UConn’s defense helped force Villanova into a season-high 18 turnovers. Jordan Hawkins contributed 22 points and seven rebounds. Villanova’s Caleb Daniels netted a game-high 23 points. The loss ended the Wildcats’ five-game winning streak.
 
No. 22 Xavier built an 18-point second half lead before staving off St. John’s 84-79 at Carnesecca Arena in the BIG EAST’s All-Access game.  The Musketeers got game highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds from Jack Nunge. St. John’s David Jones also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 boards. For the first time this season, the Johnnies were beaten on the boards, losing the rebound battle 48-36. Xavier is 3-0 in league play for the first time since 2017-18 when the Musketeers won the regular-season title.
 
Two more games are on Thursday’s schedule. Providence plays at Butler on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET and DePaul hosts Georgetown at 8 p.m. on FS2.
 
The Friars (10-3, 2-0) have been idle for eight days. In the league statistical rankings, sophomore Bryce Hopkins ranks fourth in scoring (16.7) and second in rebounding (9.7). The Bulldogs (8-5, 0-2) have all five starters averaging in double figure scoring led by Chuck Harris (13.0).
 
DePaul and Georgetown are well-represented among the league’s stat leaders. The Blue Demons (6-7, 0-2) have Javan Johnson at fifth in scoring (16.5) and second in minutes played (35.7). Umoja Gibson is first in steals (2.4) and fourth in assists (5.2). The Hoyas have Primo Spears, who is second in scoring (17.7) and first in minutes played (37.8).