Standings | Stats
 
MBB Minute – Connecticut and Villanova captured New Year’s Day road wins, though their paths to victory were quite different. The Huskies took control early at DePaul while the Wildcats had to rally late at Butler.
 
No. 11 UConn (11-3, 3-0 BIG EAST) built a 43-22 lead by halftime in an 81-68 win at DePaul. The Huskies’ Solo Ball drained a career-high seven 3-pointers (on nine attempts) and finished with a career-high 22 points. Alex Karaban helped with 18 points and seven rebounds. Conor Enright had 18 points and nine assists for the Blue Demons (9-5, 0-3). DePaul entered the game leading the league in 3-pointers made but were limited to 3-of-12 by the Husky defense. UConn has won seven in a row.
 
At Hinkle Fieldhouse, Butler pulled away from Villanova (9-5, 2-1) and took a 64-51 lead with 6:03 remaining before the Wildcats put together a game-closing 22-1 run and recorded a 73-65 victory. Eric Dixon, the nation’s leading scorer, netted 28 points. Wooga Parker added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Enoch Boakye did not score, but he had 14 boards. Jahmyl Telfort posted 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Butler (7-7, 0-3).
 
Friday’s schedule shows Xavier at Georgetown on CBSSN at 8 p.m. ET and Creighton at Marquette at 9 p.m. on FS1.
 
Xavier (9-5, 1-2) has won the last five meetings against Georgetown (11-2, 2-0). The Hoyas will be aiming for their first 3-0 league start since 2011-12.

Creighton (9-5, 2-1) and Marquette (12-2, 3-0) have split their 22 regular-season meetings since the Bluejays began BIG EAST play in 2013-14.