MBB Minute – On an action-packed Wednesday, Butler and Connecticut collected road victories, while St. John’s pulled out a two-point win in front of its home crowd at Madison Square Garden.
 
St. John’s managed to hold off a late rally by Providence to earn a 75-73 victory and improve to 4-1 in BIG EAST play for the first time since 2000-01. The Red Storm (12-4, 4-1 BIG EAST) were led offensively by Daniss Jenkins and Joel Soriano, as each upperclassmen tallied 16 points. Jenkins also pitched in eight assists, while 14 of Soriano’s 16 points came in the second half. The Friars (11-5, 2-3) received a career night from Devin Carter, as the junior guard posted 31 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge.
 
No. 4 UConn (14-2, 4-1) won its fourth-straight contest with a hard-fought road win, 80-75, at Xavier (7-8, 1-3). Cam Spencer scored 19 to lead five Huskies in double-figures, while Tristen Newton finished with a 16-point, 11-assist double-double. The Huskies led by four at the half and went up as many as 14 in a strong second half, but the Musketeers rallied at every turn and had the game within a possession in the final seconds. Quincy Olivari led the scoring attack for Xavier with 24 points.
 
Behind a second-half comeback, Butler (11-5, 2-3) went on the road to knock off No. 11 Marquette (11-5, 2-3), 69-62. Overcoming a seven-point halftime deficit, the Bulldogs outscored the Golden Eagles 41-27 in the second half. The home loss marked the first for Marquette since Jan. 1, 2022, snapping a historical 20-game winning streak in conference play that tied a BIG EAST record. Four Bulldogs reached double figures, led by Pierre Brooks and Landon Moore each tallying 14 points. Kam Jones led the Golden Eagles with 20 points, scoring 17 in the opening frame.
 
The next BIG EAST action is Friday when DePaul visits Villanova at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The Blue Demons (3-12, 0-4) are led offensively by Chico Carter, Jr. (11.9 ppg). The Wildcats (10-5, 3-1) are led by Eric Dixon on the offensive end with 14.7 ppg. Defensively, Villanova is tied for first in the BIG EAST allowing just 64.8 points per game.