The Big East Conference tournament Semifinals are set, and it’s all chalk in New York City. The top four seeds advance to the final four of the tournament. The Quarterfinals featured the top seed going to overtime, second seeded Xavier surviving an upset bid, a massive lead almost squandered and only the three seed looking dominant.
XAVIER 89, DEPAUL 84
One day after shocking Seton Hall to advance to the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals, the Depaul Blue Demons almost shocked the number two team in the conference. DePaul led Xavier with less than three minutes to go, but the Musketeers buckled down and weathered the storm. Jack Nunge scored 23 points and grabbed ten rebounds to lock up Xavier’s spot in the Semifinals. The loss likely ends DePaul’s season. With just ten wins in the regular season, the Blue Demons are unlikely to get an NIT bid and certainly won’t get an NCAA invite.
MARQUETTE 72, ST. JOHN’S 70
The Big East player of the year powered top seeded Marquette into the Big East tournament semifinal. The Golden Eagles trailed St. John’s by 14 at one point late in the first half. But Tyler Kolek scored 19 points in the second half and overtime, including the game winning free throws. The Golden Eagles were able to edge the Red Storm as the attempted buzzer beating three pointer for St. John’s just missed. Marquette continues to prove it is worthy of the number six ranking in the country.
CONNECTICUT 73, PROVIDENCE 66
The UConn Huskies managed to avoid a monumental comeback from the Providence Friars Thursday. For 30 minutes of the 40 minute game, the fourth seeded Huskies looked like the best team in the tournament. UConn led by as many as 26 points, but Providence found their rhythm in the final ten minutes. PC managed to close the gap to four points in the final minute before UConn managed to ice the game 73-66. While UConn is almost certainly in next week’s NCAA tournament, the loss puts Providence firmly on the bubble. The Friars were 4-5 in their final nine games of the regular season. Providence will be hoping the higher seeds in other conferences lock up automatic bids so an at-large bid can still be a possibility for them next week.
CREIGHTON 87, VILLANOVA 74
The Creighton Blue Jays are the only one of the top four teams to look good throughout their quarterfinal game. The number 24 team in the country came out firing against the most consistent Big East team over the past decade. Ryan Kalkbrenner led the way as the Blue Jays coasted to the 87-74 victory. The loss likely sends Villanova to the NIT, ending their chance at a third National Championship this decade.
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE
4 Connecticut vs. 1 Marquette
3 Creighton vs. 2 Xavier
The winners of these two games will square off Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
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