(2) Big East Conference Games 12/30/19

[MUPanther]

Xavier @ 10 Villanova: 6:30pm, FS1 -Tim Brando, Bill Raftery
Line: Villanova -4.5/139.5

Seton Hall @ DePaul: 8:45pm, FS1 - Lisa Byington, Steve Lavin
Line: Seton Hall -1.5/139.5

[MUPanther]

Will Powell be back on Monday?

[gtmoBlue]

It won't matter if Powell is back or not...

DePaul and Nova get opening day W's-

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

The 13 best college basketball games left before 2020 - Mike LoPresti, NCAA.com - December 19, 2019

'On the fifth day and sixth days after Christmas, the schedule gives to us . . .'

The Big East Blastoff. The league has shown considerable promise with an 83-25 non-conference record, and a lot of questions start to get answered Dec. 30 and 31 when Big East games begin.

DePaul, for example. Are the 10-1 Blue Demons serious about making trouble in the league, never mind they were picked to finish last? If they start league play with a win at home against Seton Hall, that’ll look serious enough. The Pirates were considered a Big East favorite, but that was before the injury list started growing, including All-American Myles Powell. Now what?

Or Xavier. Are the 9-2 Musketeers a genuine contender after struggling in 2018-19? The road to the Big East title tends to go through Villanova, and that’s where they’ll be on Dec. 30, with the chance to make a huge statement. Or not.

Butler was picked to finish eighth in the Big East, St. John’s ninth. But at last count, they were a combined 19-3. They meet New Year’s Eve in New York at 7:30 p.m. — the last college basketball game in the nation in 2019. Then we’ll start finding out what has been real the first two months and what has been a mirage, and not only in the Big East. The 12 Days of Christmas are really a door to 2020 and the next phase of the college basketball season. League play is here.

No. 10 Villanova's youth set to tackle Xavier's experience - The Associated Press - December 29, 2019

Villanova will be searching for its sixth consecutive victory when it opens Big East play against visiting Xavier on Monday.

The Wildcats (9-2), moved up eight spots in the national rankings to No. 10 following a 56-55 win over then-No. 1 Kansas on Dec. 21 in Philadelphia.

Villanova features one of its youngest teams in the career of head coach Jay Wright as two freshmen -- Justin Moore and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl -- are in the starting lineup for the first time since 2002.

[scoscox]

Can't wait for 6:30 tomorrow

[fellahmuskie]

I've been counting down the hours since the TCU game last Sunday. 8 days between games is brutal.

I'm so sick of losing at Nova. The season isn't over if Xavier doesn't win, but this is a chance to set the tone for what should be a thrilling conference slate. I hope Steele and co. take advantage.

[Jet915]

Seton Hall is the favorite? Powell must be playing right?

[thunderbird]

Seton Hall is the favorite? Powell must be playing right?

I saw Zags said KW texted him he is “doubtful” for DePaul and “probable” for Georgetown. But you can’t always trust what KW says, lol.

[Hall2012]

Powell most likely will play at least somewhat. How many minutes will depend on how he feels - but he's in Chicago and I don't see why he'd make the trip if he wasn't playing (since flying is generally considered to be tough on a concussion - I assume if he can fly he can play, unless he gets off the plane feeling miserable).

[GumbyDamnit!]

This is the individual matchup that I will be watching very closely. Along with Reed, perhaps the two best, versatile F/wings in the BE, who can affect the game on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see if they indeed match up offensively and defensively. I suspect Bey may guard Goodin or Scruggs and Samules on Naji, but we'll see. Naji's usage rate is certainly higher but Saddiq seems to get the job done in a much more efficient, albeit understated way.

Naji
Mins 33.1
Pt. 16.2
FG% 44.6
3FG% 27.9
FT% 69.8
Reb. 5.9
Asst. 3.3
Blk 0.3
Stl 1.3
TO 2.9

Saddiq
Min. 31.1
Pts. 15.5
FG% 52.9
3FG% 41.5
FT% 84.4
Reb. 5.6
Asst. 2.5
Blk 0.6
Stl. 0.6
TO 1.2