Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Despite receiving less attention this season because they aren t ranked, the Marquette Golden Eagles (16-4, 13-3 Big East) have the lead over the No. 24 DePaul Blue Demons (13-5, 10-3 Big East) for second place in the Big East by a game and a half.
Marquette and DePaul would both be 8-seeds in the NCAA Tournament if ESPN’s Charlie Creme was deciding and the season ended today.
UConn is back in the Big East this year and, unsurprisingly, it is in first place in the conference and seeks to end the four-year streak of either Marquette or DePaul winning the Big East Tournament. The Golden Eagles and Blue Demons have been the two teams featured in the championship game in each of those four seasons, with the Blue Demons defeating the Golden Eagles 88-74 in the final last year.
Top-ranked UConn routs Xavier for eighth consecutive win
By The Associated PressFebruary 21, 2021 GMT
Connecticut guard Christyn Williams, center, drives the ball upcourt against Xavier guard Shaulana Wagner (24), and center Shaulana Wagner (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Connecticut guard Christyn Williams, center, drives the ball upcourt against Xavier guard Shaulana Wagner (24), and center Shaulana Wagner (31) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
CINCINNATI (AP) Christyn Williams scored 22 points and No. 1 Connecticut breezed in its first visit to Xavier, 83-32 on Saturday for its eighth straight win.
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(Dee Bekelja (Photo by Steve Woltmann - DePaul Athletics))
With the Chicago temperature getting colder and the snow piling up, it took DePaul a little while to warm up and start piling up the points. A hot third quarter propelled the Blue Demons to an 82-76 victory over BIG EAST rival Seton Hall.
Seton Hall led 17-13 after the first quarter, but DePaul tied it at 31 at halftime. DePaul came out strong in the third quarter to lead 61-51 at the end of three. Despite a Seton Hall fourth quarter surge, DePaul was able to hang on to grab the win. Overall, DePaul held the lead for 28:09 compared to Seton Hall s 9:56.
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DePaul s Sonya Morris drives against St. John s. (Steve Woltmann - DePaul Athletics)
DePaul s road trip continued with a trip to Carnesecca Arena to face St. John s. For the second time this season, the Blue Demons beat the Red Storm. This time, DePaul won 81=-73.
Despite leading the entire game, it was a hard fought battle. After DePaul jumoed out to a big early lead, St. John s actually outscored DePaul 59-56 through the final three quarters. Still, the final is all that matters and DePaul s 11 point first quarter advantage was enough to offset the final three quarters of St. John s.
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(Steve Woltmann/DePaul Athletics)
No. 3/4 Connecticut came into Chicago in the middle of a major snowstorm, but their trip home was a happy one courtesy of a big 100-67 win over No. 17/20 DePaul. Despite DePaul going into the game as heavy underdogs, the 33 point loss was a bit surprising to most. One Chicago reporter disagreed though, stating it is the difference between a No. 3 team and a #17 team.
DePaul jumped out to an early lead, ending the first quarter up 22-18. Unfortunately, it went downhill quickly from there. UConn took over and led 47-33 at half and 79-47 after three quarters, en route to the 33 point victory. DePaul led for 10:57, most of which was in the first quarter. DePaul s biggest lead was 7, while UConn was up by 40 in the fourth.