Standings | Stats
 
MBB Minute – In Monday’s play, Xavier used a strong second half to defeat South Carolina in the Ft. Myers Tip-Off and Connecticut lost to Memphis in overtime in the first round of the Maui Invitational.
 
With the two-game split, BIG EAST teams are 51-13 (.797) going into Tuesday’s action.
 
Xavier, which moved to No. 22 in both national polls on Monday, beat South Carolina 75-66. The Musketeers (6-0) had a balanced scoring attack with five players in double figures and a sixth player with nine points. Zach Freemantle sparked a second-half rally and finished with game highs of 16 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Musketeers will play Michigan for the Ft. Myers Tip-Off title Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
 
UConn staged a furious late comeback against Memphis to force overtime, but the second-ranked Huskies could not gain a victory. Memphis prevailed 99-97. UConn outscored the Tigers 15-3 in the final 3:18 in regulation. The UConn bench outscored the starters 50-47 led by career scoring highs by Tarris Reed Jr. (22 points) and Jaylin Stewart (16). Reed Jr. also had a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
The Huskies will play Colorado Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
 
In addition to the UConn contest today, Creighton meets San Diego State at 2 p.m. on TBS in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The Bluejays (4-1), ranked 21^st by AP and 19^th in the Coaches Poll, will be without point guard Steve Ashworth who is out indefinitely with a sprained ankle. Georgetown hosts Wagner at 7 p.m. on FS1. The Hoyas are also 4-1.