It’s the busiest day of the Big East match. Here is the schedule for Thursday’s 4 quarterfinal video games.
No. 1 Yukon (28-3) vs. No. 9 Xavier (16-16)
Date and time: 12:00 PM ET
UConn’s key gamers: #2 Tristen Newton (6-5, 195) Sr., G. #5 Stephon Castle (6-6, 215) Father, G; #10 Hassan Diarra (6-2, 190) Sr., G; #11 Alex Karaban (6-8, 220) So, F; #12 Cam Spencer (6-4, 205) Sr., G; #32 Donovan Clingan (7-2, 280) So, C
Xavier Key Players: #1 Desmond Claude (6-6, 207) So., G; #8 Quincy Olivari (6-3, 200) Sr., G; #20 Davion McKnight (6-0, 195) ) Sr., G; #24 Abu Usman (6-10, 244) Sr., F
2023-24 Season Series: UConn sweeps Xavier
On January 10, UW defeated Xavier on the street, 80-75. UW defeated Xavier 99-56 at house on January twenty eighth.
Xavier’s excellent guard trio of Desmond Claude, Quincy Olivari and Davion McKnight scored 65 of the Musketeers’ 76 factors within the win over Butler. They additionally shot the ball extraordinarily effectively, posting a 50.9% clip on profitable efforts.
Xavier might be hoping for a repeat efficiency and extra, however the important thing for the Musketeers might be their defensive effort. Xavier got here away with the win, hitting shot after shot and getting one in all its personal to Butler’s basket earlier than pulling away with a late run within the closing minutes.
Butler shot 53.6% from the ground within the second half of the shut sport. That’s not going to work in opposition to a proficient workforce like Yukon, which has aspirations of profitable a Big East Tournament title.
Despite reaching the nationwide summit final season, the Huskies are decided to win their first Big East Tournament title for the reason that Cardiac-Kemba Huskies in 2011. They gained the American Athletic Conference match in 2016, however that second will pale compared to their potential. It may result in a title end.
UConn is blessed with a wealth of expertise all through the lineup. All-Big East first-team member Tristen Newton and affect switch Cam Spencer prepared the ground, with unanimous Big East Freshman of the Year Stephon Castle and Big East Freshman of the Year Hassan Diarra, the Sixth Man of the Year, is in line.
Despite the departure of frontcourt monster Adama Sanogo, the Huskies by no means misplaced their rhythm. 7-foot-2 middle Donovan Clingan anchors Interior, and stretch massive man Alex Karaban constructed on a stable freshman season with an excellent higher sophomore season. Neither participant obtained a lot love in his Big East awards, with Clingan receiving solely an honorable point out award and Karavan ignored of all awards.
Despite the eye and reward UW is receiving, Big East Coach of the Year Dan Hurley accepts the narrative that his guys are “sleeping” on their technique to the highest. You can hope that it’ll.
KenPom mentioned UConn would not have many weaknesses and is statistically superior, rating within the high 15 in each offensive and defensive effectivity. The Musketeers cannot get a shot at an upset and might want to mess it up and put up their finest defensive effort so far.
Justin overcomes critical damage to hit ultimate hit
KenPom Prediction: UConn wins 81-69 and is an 86% favourite to win.
Las Vegas says: UConn is a 15-point favourite, in accordance with DraftKings Sportsbook
My prediction: UConn over Xavier.
No. 4 Seton Hall (19-11) vs. No. 5 St. John’s (19-12)
Date and time: 2:30pm ET
Seton Hall Key Players: #1 Kadary Richmond (6-6, 205) Sr., G; #2 Al Amir Dawes (6-2, 185) Sr., G; #14 Dre Davis (6- 6, 210) Sr., G; #15 Jayden Bediako (6-10, 240) Sr., F
St. John’s Key Players: #3 Jordan Dingle (6-3, 196) Sr., G. #5 Danis Jenkins (6-4, 180) Sr., G; #8 Chris Ledrum (6-6, 225) Sr., F; #11 Joel Soriano (6-11, 255) Sr., C
2023-24 Season Series: Seton Hall sweeps St. John’s
January sixteenth, Seton Hall defeated St. John’s 80-65 at house. February 18th, Seton Hall defeated St. John’s on the street 68-62.
So much has modified for St. John’s since coach Rick Pitino berated his gamers throughout a sport in opposition to Seton Hall on Feb. 18. It was the Red Storm’s sixth loss in seven video games at that time.
The Red Storm completed the common season with 5 straight wins, together with a 14-point win over Creighton and a 23-point win over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Did they enhance sufficient to lastly defeat the Pirates?
Seton Hall had a formative 12 months beneath head coach Shaheen Holloway, ending 13-7 in Big East play after hitting .500 in his debut season. The Pirates completed the season profitable seven of their final 10 video games, together with lopsided losses to Villanova, Creighton and UW on the street.
Cadary Richmond was named first workforce All-Big East in his profession 12 months, and Dre Davis additionally had an ideal season with 14.9 factors and 5.8 rebounds per sport, taking pictures 50.4 % from the ground, however the Big East The award didn’t appeal to consideration. . Al-Amir Dawes is a stable choice for the trio, and Jaden Bediako brings a bodily presence to the frontcourt.
Holloway has all the time adopted a defense-first, toughness mentality, which is mirrored all through the roster. The Pirates have ranked within the high 40 in defensive effectivity for the second 12 months in a row. Although there could also be points with the workforce’s total scoring consistency, you may all the time depend on the exhausting work of his gamers.
Holloway additionally has a historical past teaching in opposition to Pitino, relationship again to the MAAC days, when Holloway was at St. Peter’s and Pitino was at Iona.
But St. John’s has continued to carry out effectively, giving up 80 factors or extra in every of its final 5 video games earlier than the top of the common season.
Iona switch Danis Jenkins made a seamless transition to the Power Six stage and was named All-Conference. Chris Ledrum has seen good taking part in time, and Joel Soriano has had his ups and downs this 12 months, however stays a risk. Penn State transfers Jordan Dingle and RJ Lewis Jr. have carried out effectively over the last 5 straight wins. Dingle is averaging 15.4 factors per sport whereas Lewis is piling up 12.6 factors per sport off the bench.
Can Seton Hall put a damper on the Red Storm’s red-hot offense, or will third time be the allure for the Johnnys?
KenPom Prediction: St. John’s wins 75-70, 66% favourite to win.
Las Vegas says: St. John’s is a 4.5-point favourite, per DraftKings Sportsbook
My prediction: Seton Hall over St. John’s.
No. 2 Creighton (23-8) vs. No. 7 Providence (20-12)
Date and Time: 7:00 PM ET
Creighton’s key gamers: #1 Stephen Ashworth (6-1, 170) Sr., G. #11 Ryan Kalkbrenner (7-1, 270) Sr., C; #23 Trey Alexander (6-4, 190) Jr., G; #55 Baylor Scheierman (6-7, 205) Sr., F
Providence Key Players: #0 Davonte “Ticket” Gaines (6-7, 190) Sr., G. #13 Josh Oduro (6-9, 240) Sr., F; #22 Devin Carter (6-3, 195) Jr., G
2023-24 Season Series: 1-1 Series Split
On January 6, Creighton defeated Providence at house, 69-60. On February 7, Providence defeated Creighton in additional time at house, 91-87.
Clayton arrives on the entrance to Madison Square Garden. The Blue Jays have reached not less than the semifinals every of the previous three years and hope to proceed that profitable streak.
The Blue Jays stopped Villanova’s comeback with Trey Alexander’s last-second hit, and Creighton entered the postseason after profitable seven of its final eight video games to complete the common season.
During this era, they misplaced to St. John’s by 16 factors on the street, but additionally had spectacular wins in opposition to University College (19 factors) and Marquette, serving to to safe the second seed.
Creighton is an all-around machine this season, headlined by three-time Big East Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner and all-conference picks Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander. They rank within the high 25 within the nation in offensive and defensive effectivity. Additionally, as a workforce, their taking pictures proportion from inside the arc is 61.0%, and their three-point taking pictures proportion is stable at 36.5%.
Interestingly, they’ve the bottom foul fee within the nation, in order that they’re simply taking part in good old style protection. However, the season collection with Providence was cut up, they usually misplaced in additional time as a result of they have been unable to include Devin Carter and Josh Oduro, who had 60 factors.
Providence slumped to the top of the common season, dropping three of its ultimate 4 video games, however bounced again with a win over Georgetown within the season opener.
Devin Carter is the newly-elected Big East Player of the Year and the one participant for the reason that convention’s realignment to win the award on a workforce seeded exterior of the highest 5. As a consequence, he’ll enter Thursday with one thing to show in opposition to one of many high groups within the convention and within the nation, with opposing views on the validity of his finest second.
Since Providence standout Bryce Hopkins went down with a season-ending damage, he and Oduro have single-handedly saved the Flyers afloat with a one-two punch, together with stable teaching and a defense-first method from Kim English. has saved the workforce afloat.
If Carter and Oduro can prepare dinner and get well timed performs and baskets from their teammates, it would make the primary sport of Thursday evening’s session attention-grabbing, nevertheless it’s definitely an uphill climb.
KenPom Prediction: Creighton wins 74-67, 75% favourite to win.
Vegas Says: Creighton is a 7.5-point favourite, per DraftKings Sportsbook
My prediction: Creighton over Providence.
No. 3 Marquette (23-8) vs. No. 6 Villanova (18-14)
Date and time: 9:30pm ET
Key gamers in the marketplace: #1 Cam Jones (6-5, 200) Junior, G; #11 Tyler Kolek (6-3, 195) Senior, G; #13 Oso Ighodalo (6-11, 235) Sr., F, #23 David Joplin (6-8, 225) Jr., F
Villanova Key Players: #0 TJ Bamba (6-5, 215) Sr., G; #5 Justin Moore (6-5, 210) Sr., G; #43 Eric Dixon (6-8, 255) Sr., F.
2023-24 Season Series: Marquette defeats Villanova
On January fifteenth, Marquette defeated Villanova at house, 87-74. On January thirtieth, Marquette defeated Villanova on the street, 85-80.
Either manner, that is all the time going to be a tricky matchup, however with 2023 Big East Player of the Year Tyler Kolek doubtlessly out with an indirect damage, it seems just like the Wildcats might have a lifeline. is.
Stadium’s Jeff Goodman first broke the information Wednesday morning, and Marquette coach Shaka Smart detailed the state of affairs earlier than the Big East Tournament was introduced: There are undoubtedly plans for him to play subsequent week and he is making actually good progress. ”
Kolek missed the ultimate three video games of the common season. He totaled 53 factors and 20 assists in two video games in opposition to the Cats this 12 months.
During his profession, he performed six instances for the Cats, averaging 16.3 factors and seven.7 assists per sport.
Marquette is unquestionably gifted, however the Golden Eagles aren’t pretty much as good with out him contemplating the way in which he makes all of his teammates round him higher and dictates the move of video games.
They nonetheless have a variety of weapons. Cam Jones has taken his sport to a different stage in Kolek’s absence. The Golden Eagles’ main scorer did all of it, ending the common season with a efficiency of 30 factors, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists in an 86-80 win over Xavier. Oso Ighodalo is a dynamic inside risk and was simply chosen to the All-Big East second workforce.
The Wildcats have but to determine Shaka Smart since he first got here in the marketplace. Smart was 6-0 in opposition to Villanova, entered his Final Four season with Jay Wright’s Last Dance, and continued his sweep in opposition to Kyle Neptune.
Villanova’s calling card has been protection all season, and regardless of some erratic scoring, if it will probably combine issues up and direct some heavy effort on protection, the Cats have a puncher’s likelihood to tug off an upset. Dew.
A slender one-point win over DePaul in all probability will not encourage a lot confidence, however Las Vegas might have extra religion than the fan base. An hour after the sport, Villanova was listed as trailing Marquette by simply 2.5 factors (in accordance with FanDuel). This was the closest of all of the quarterfinal video games, regardless of a lackluster sport in opposition to DePaul.
Kolek’s absence is one much less factor for Villanova to fret about, however Ighodalo and Jones have confirmed to be good matches for Villanova. If the Cats can maintain them again, who is aware of what’s going to occur Thursday evening.
KenPom Prediction: Market wins 71-67 and is a 37% favourite to win.
Las Vegas: “Marquette is a 4.5-point favourite, in accordance with DraftKings.”
My prediction: Marquette over Villanova.