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Penn Upsets ‘Nova

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PHILADELPHIA – In the only BIG EAST game on Tuesday, Villanova saw its record 25-game winning streak in the Philadelphia “Big Five” end with a 78-75 loss to Pennsylvania at the Palestra.  The defeat also ended Villanova’s six-game winning streak and a 15-game run Nova (8-3) had in its series with the Quakers.

The Wildcat backcourt of Collin Gillespie and Phil Booth provided most of the offensive punch.  Gillespie scored a career-high 21 points.  Booth scored all of his 18 points in the second half.  Villanova lost the rebounding battle 35-22. 

Villanova’s next assignment is Saturday at No. 1 Kansas.

The light BIG EAST schedule this week has only DePaul in action on Wednesday.  The Blue Demons (5-2) host Chicago State on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET.  It’s the first of two games in the next three days for DePaul, which hosts Illinois-Chicago on Friday.  The Blue Demons have opened the season with five straight wins at home, their best home start since 2006-07.  DePaul has not lost to Chicago State in 15 meetings.

In the national polls released Monday, Villanova moved up to No. 17 in the AP and No. 16 in USA Today.    Marquette jumped into the AP poll at No. 21 after its 74-69 overtime win over then-No. 12 Wisconsin.  St. John’s, Butler, Creighton and Seton Hall received votes in at least one of the two polls.  

BIG EAST Update:

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NEW YORK – Playing its first game in Madison Square Garden this season, St. John’s improved to 9-0 with an 89-74 win against Princeton in the MSG Holiday Festival on Sunday afternoon.  The Johnnies are off to their best start since 1990-91.  They’re one of nine undefeated teams in the country.

Shamorie Ponds led five St. John’s players in double figures with 26 points.  He also had five rebounds, five assists and four steals.  L.J. Figueroa contributed 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

In the national polls released Monday, Villanova moved up to No. 17 in the AP and No. 16 in USA Today.  The Wildcats have won six in a row.  Marquette jumped into the AP poll at No. 21 after its 74-69 overtime win over then-No. 12 Wisconsin.  St. John’s, Butler, Creighton and Seton Hall received votes in at least one of the two polls. 

The BIG EAST schedule is dark tonight and shows only one game on Tuesday.  It’s exam week for many schools.  There are only 11 games through Sunday.

Villanova plays its final Philadelphia Big 5 game when it meets Pennsylvania at the Palestra Tuesday on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. ET.  The Wildcats will be aiming for their record 25th straight victory in Big 5 play.  Last week, they defeated Temple and Saint Joseph’s with the help of reserve guard Jermaine Samuels who averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds for the two games.  The Wildcats and Quakers are both 8-2.  Penn is off to its best start since 1994-95.

BIG EAST, MSG Extend Pact

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NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Conference and The Madison Square Garden announced an extension through 2028 of their agreement to hold the BIG EAST Tournament at The World’s Most Famous Arena. The agreement also ensures that the Tournament will be staged on its traditional dates at the close of college basketball’s regular season.

NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 9: Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Marquee Events, left, and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman announce an extension through 2028 of their agreement to hold the annual Big East Tournament at the Garden in New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks)

The BIG EAST and Madison Square Garden have been partners since the Tournament was first played at the iconic venue in 1983.  The BIG EAST Tournament is the longest-running postseason championship at the same location in college basketball.

“Our new agreement with Madison Square Garden means that BIG EAST schools, players and supporters will have the privilege of playing our conference tournament at the ‘Mecca of College Basketball’ without interruption for another decade,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman.   “The BIG EAST Tournament at MSG has long been synonymous with tradition, rivalries and heart-stopping moments, and we are very grateful to Jim Dolan, Andy Lustgarten and Joel Fisher for their support of one of the most enduring alliances in the sports world.”

“Madison Square Garden and the BIG EAST Conference has been the best marriage in college basketball for 36 years,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Marquee Events. “The BIG EAST Tournament has been a pillar event at The Garden and has given generations of basketball fans unforgettable memories.  We would like to thank the conference and member schools for their long-term commitment to Madison Square Garden and look forward to providing fans with exciting basketball for years to come.”

The 2019 BIG EAST Tournament will be played March 13-16.  In 2018, the BIG EAST enjoyed its highest tournament attendance levels since the league reconfigured in 2013-14, with three of the five sessions selling out.  The action on the floor typified BIG EAST Tournament play over the years, with Villanova defeating Providence 76-66 in overtime in the championship game in front of a boisterous sellout crowd.  Three weeks later, Villanova went on to win its second NCAA national title in three years.

One of college basketball’s most prestigious events, the BIG EAST Tournament has been a staple of the New York City sports scene for decades.  The BIG EAST and the Garden signed their first agreement to bring the Tournament to MSG on October 7, 1981.  St. John’s won the first BIG EAST Tournament at MSG in 1983, with Chris Mullin, the Johnnies’ current head coach, named Most Valuable Player.

Big East Update:

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NEW YORK– Seton Hall and Marquette forged overtime victories over ranked opponents to help BIG EAST teams finish a challenging Saturday by splitting eight games.

The Pirates and No. 9 Kentucky played a thriller at Madison Square Garden.  The Hall’s Myles Powell almost won the game in regulation with a double-clutch 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left.  But Kentucky hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer that tied the game at 70.  The Pirates’ Myles Cale then hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left in OT to give Seton Hall an 84-83 victory.  Powell scored 25 of his 28 points after halftime. 

Marquette prevailed over No. 12 Wisconsin 74-69 in OT before 17,575 at Milwaukee’s new Fiserv Forum.  Markus Howard scored 27 points and Sam Hauser helped with 13 points and 14 rebounds.  Joey Hauser added 15 points.  The Golden Eagles (8-2) have won five in a row.

Villanova pushed its winning streak to six in a row after stopping Saint Joseph’s 70-58 at Finneran Pavilion.  Eric Paschall led the way with 14 points and nine rebounds.  The No. 21 Wildcats (8-2) posted their record 24th straight Philadelphia Big 5 win.  

Butler made a season-high 17 3-pointers in a 95-68 win against Northern Illinois at Hinkle Fieldhouse.  The Bulldogs (7-2) were sparked by Sean McDermott’s 23 points.  Butler shot 60.7 percent from the field.   The Bulldogs have won 48 straight home contests against non-conference competition.     

Georgetown built a 35-22 lead by halftime in Syracuse, but could not hold on, losing 72-71 on a basket with three seconds left.  Jesse Govan led the Hoyas (7-2) with 22 points and 12 rebounds.  Freshman Mac McClung added 18 points. 

Creighton saw its series seven-game winning streak against No. 24 Nebraska end in a 94-75 defeat.  Mitch Ballock led the Bluejays (6-3) with 23 points.  He made 7-of-10 from 3-point range.

Xavier lost its annual battle with Cincinnati 62-47.  The visiting Musketeers (6-4) got 12 points from Quentin Goodin and 11 from Paul Scruggs.  Xavier made only 5-of-25 from beyond the arc.

St. John’s is the only BIG EAST in action on Sunday.  The Johnnies meet Princeton at 1 p.m. ET in the annual MSG Holiday Festival.  FS1 has the telecast.   

St. John’s Prevails

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JAMAICA ESTATES – (Staff Report from Official News Release) -St. John’s is off to an 8-0 start for the first time since 1990-91 after Wednesday’s 85-71 triumph over Mount St. Mary’s at Carnesecca Arena.  The Red Storm starters scored 76 of the team’s 85 points led by Marvin Clark II, who had 21 points, which included 4-of-6 from 3-point range.  Mustapha Heron added 17 points and L.J. Figueroa finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Villanova’s winning streak has reached five games after a 69-59 win against Temple at Finneran Pavilion.  The Wildcats (7-2), in the middle of their Philadelphia Big Five play, needed to rally in the second half to record their record 24th straight Big Five victory.  Reserve guard Jermaine Samuels scored all of his team-high 15 points after halftime.

Xavier has a four-game winning streak after defeating Ohio 82-61 at Cintas Center.  The Musketeers (6-3) outscored the Bobcats 47-27 in the second half.  Sophomore Paul Scruggs put together an impressive stat line with 21 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals.  Naji Marshall continued his solid play with 17 points, seven boards and four assists.

Butler enjoyed a return to Hinkle Fieldhouse and defeated Brown 70-55.  Paul Jorgensen notched a team-high 19 points.  The Bulldogs (6-2) used an 11-0 run in the first half to put some distance between themselves and the Bears.  Butler committed a season-low seven turnovers.  The win was the Bulldogs’ 47th straight home victory against non-conference competition.

Thursday is dark on the BIG EAST schedule.  Only Providence is in action on Friday.  The Friars (7-2) host Massachusetts on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET.  To date, guard A.J. Reeves has been the shining star of the heralded PC recruiting class.  The 6-6 guard leads all BIG EAST freshmen with a 14.9 scoring average and his rebound mark of 7.6 is tied for sixth overall in the league.

If Providence prevails, BIG EAST teams will have completed their “work week” with a 10-0 mark going into Saturday.

 

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