MBB Minute: Creighton moves to 2-0 in BIG EAST play, setting a new league record for the largest point differential through the first two conference games. Xavier evens its mark in BIG EAST play with a win at Georgetown. Butler powers past Northwestern at the Indy Classic to move to 9-3.
Creighton 84,
Marquette 63 -
Box Score
Nik Graves led three CU players in double figures with 17 - all coming in a seven-minute span in the first half - as Creighton moved to 2-0 in BIG EAST play. The Golden Eagles scored the first seven points of the game and led 15-9 after a Nigel James Jr. 3-pointer with 12:08 left in the first half. Creighton responded with a 25-2 push that put the game out of reach. Issac Traudt had 14 points and five rebounds, while Josh Dix added 10 points for the Bluejays. James led the Golden Eagles with 23 points. The freshman guard connected on three 3-pointers, while logging six rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block. Creighton set a new BIG EAST record for point differential through the first two conference games, at +62. The previous mark was +50 by Providence in 1988-89.
Xavier 80,
Georgetown 77 -
Box Score
In a game with 11 lead changes and seven ties, the Musketeers rallied from a 10-point first half deficit to capture their first BIG EAST victory. Georgetown led by five (61-56) after a Julius Halaifonua jumper with 11:34 to play. X scored the next six to take its first lead since midway through the first half. A Jovan Milicevic 3-pointer with four minutes to play put the Musketeers ahead for good. Tre Carroll led Xavier with 22 points - 14 coming in the second half - while adding eight rebounds, and four assists. Malik Messina-Moore and Roddie Anderson III each had 14, while Filip Borovicanin posted a double-double (11 points/13 rebounds). Malik Mack led Georgetown with 21 points, while Julius Halaifonua tallied 19 and KJ Lewis added 15.
Butler 61, Northwestern 58 -
Box Score
Michael Ajayi posted his ninth double-double, with 19 points and a career-best 20 rebounds, for Butler. After a slow start by both teams, the Bulldogs and Wildcats were tied at 15-15 with 8:29 left in the opening half. Butler's Jamie Kaiser Jr. scored the next five points and the Bulldogs would not trail the rest of the way. BU led 29-23 at the break and led by as many as 11 in the second half. Northwestern got within a single-point with 31 seconds to play, but Evan Haywood sealed the win with a pair of free throws. Kaiser finished with 14 points and Haywood added 11 points off the bench for Butler. Ajayi registered the second 20-rebound performance by a BIG EAST player this season (20 - Duke Brennan, Villanova vs. Queens, Nov. 8).
Kentucky 78,
St. John's 66 -
Box Score
St. John's fell to Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta. After leading 32-25 at the break, the Red Storm went cold in the second half, connecting on four field goals through the first 17 minutes of play. A 19-2 Kentucky run put the Wildcats ahead for good. Four Johnnies reached double figures, led by Bryce Hopkins' 13 points and three steals. Zuby Ejiofor and Joson Sanon each added 12 and Ian Jackson 10. Sanon was 12-of-12 from the free throw line - one of 22 players this season to go perfect from the charity stripe with at least 12 makes.
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There is one game on the schedule in the BIG EAST for Sunday, as UConn heads to Chicago to face DePaul. Tip is set for 4:30 p.m. ET and the game will air live on FS1.
FS1
UConn at
DePaul - 4:30 p.m. ET
Connor Onion (pxp); Nick Bahe (analyst)
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BIG EAST Men's Basketball Public Availability Reports
Beginning in 2025-26, the BIG EAST Conference will provide public reports on the availability of student-athletes in conference games in the sports of men's and women's basketball.
Men's Basketball Availability Report
BIG EAST schools will be required to submit availability reports three hours before the scheduled tipoff time. Under the reporting structure, players will be designated as "questionable" or "out." Availability reports will be posted on the BIG EAST website throughout the 2025-26 season: