Big East Basketball What To Watch: Week Twelve

Tuesday, January 23: Providence Friars at #1 Villanova Wildcats (5:30pm Central, FS1) - Would you believe that first place in the league is on the line this evening? Providence would, at least for a day, move into a tie atop the standings with Xavier at 6-2 if they were to stun the Wildcats at Wells Fargo Center in Philly. The loss would send Nova to 5-2 on the season, so it would be a percentage points lead for both XU and PC, but it would still be true. Well, at least until....

Wednesday, January 24: Marquette Golden Eagles at #8 Xavier Musketeers (5:30 pm Central, FS1) - ..... Xavier hosts the Golden Eagles the very next night. A Marquette win would mean Providence could suddenly be alone in first place in the Big East. That’s not that far fetched of a scenario. In the first meeting this season between the two teams, Xavier only won by four, and according to KenPom’s chart, Marquette had a better than 50% chance with a bit over two minutes left to play. This one’s in Cincinnati, though, so it’s advantage Musketeers until proven otherwise.

Sunday, January 28: #1 Villanova Wildcats at Marquette Golden Eagles (Noon Central, Fox) - Say whatever else it is you want to say about this game, but the fact of the matter is that Fox Sports sees Marquette/Villanova as a marquee matchup in the Big East. Mid-day broadcast on Big Boy Fox on the Sunday in between the NFL’s conference title games and the Super Bowl? Fox Sports sees this as a ratings bonanza for the league, and I for one refuse to doubt them. Do I have doubts that the Golden Eagles can shock the world for the second straight year? Yep. Of course I do. Villanova’s really good. Do I think that Marquette can do it again? You’re goddamned right I do.

Here’s this week’s mens’ basketball schedule: