MBB Minute – In Friday’s lone game, No. 16 Xavier defeated Seton Hall 82-60 at Prudential Center to move into sole possession of second place in the league standings. The Musketeers improved to 13-5 in BIG EAST play and 21-8 overall.
 
Xavier built a 40-21 advantage by halftime and withstood an early spurt in the second half from the Pirates (16-13, 9-9 BIG EAST). Souley Boum led the winners with 23 points. Colby Jones added 19. Dre Davis came off the bench to notch a team-high 13 points for the Pirates (16-13, 9-9 BE). The Hall remains in sixth place.
 
Saturday’s three-game schedule has two games tipping at noon ET and one in the evening.
 
No. 19 Creighton plays Villanova at Wells Fargo Center at noon on FOX. The Bluejays (18-10, 12-5 BE) are in a two-way tie for third place with Providence. The Wildcats (14-14- 8-9 BE) have won four of their last five, including a 64-63 victory at Xavier on Tuesday. Creighton won the first meeting with Villanova 66-61 on Feb. 4.
 
No. 18 Connecticut makes a pre-BIG EAST Tournament trip to Madison Square Garden to face St. John’s for a noon tip on CBS. The Huskies are in fifth place at 10-7 in league play and 21-7 overall. UConn beat Providence 87-69 on Wednesday. St. John’s (17-12, 7-11 BE) has won three of its last four contests and beat the Huskies 85-74 on Jan. 15 at XL Center.
 
At 7:30 p.m. at Fiserv Forum, No. 10 Marquette and DePaul will meet for the 133^rd time. The host Golden Eagles (22-6, 14-3 BE) can clinch a tie of the regular-season title with a victory. They also tied for the regular-season crown in 2012-13. Marquette defeated DePaul 89-69 at Wintrust Arena on Jan. 28. The Blue Demons (9-19, 3-14 BE) are coming off a 59-58 loss to Butler. Their last three games in the regular season will come against ranked teams.