(4) Opening Night Conference Games

[MU/Panther]

5:30pm- DePaul at 1 Villanova, FS1 - Joe Davis, Bill Raftery
Line: Villanova -25

6:00pm Providence at 17 Xavier, FSN - Justin Kutcher, Stephen Bardo
Line: Xavier -11

7:00pm Seton Hall at 9 Creighton, FS2 - Steve Physioc, Nick Bahe
Line: Creighton - 9.5

7:45pm Georgetown at Marquette, FS1 - Tim Brando, Jim Jackson
Line: Marquette -4.5

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Other than the opener, that's a really interesting opening night. PC/XU and SHU/Creighton (along with our game) could tell us a lot about this league.

[MU/Panther]

http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/why-is-no-one-talking-about-the-big-east-and-its-four-legit-final-four-teams/

[MUBasketball]

It's understandable that Villanova as the national champs get one of the FS1 slots on opening night, but it's a shame that PC/Xavier and SHU/Creighton are on lesser channels. Two excellent matchups.

[mufan2003]

Excited that conference play is here. 3 of the 4 matchups are very intriguing. No more cupcakes. Depaul is Depaul, but they did split with MU last year. Have to bring it every game. Hopefully can start the season off with a "W" tonight.

[MU/Panther]

It's understandable that Villanova as the national champs get one of the FS1 slots on opening night, but it's a shame that PC/Xavier and SHU/Creighton are on lesser channels. Two excellent matchups.
Well, PC/Xavier is on FSN. At times talking to people in Milwaukee years ago, they thought FSN was FS1.

Georgetown still has that sexy name and Marquette can be a draw. I see why FS1 took that game.

[MU/Panther]

RSN affiliates
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[DCwarrior]

Just turned on the TV and see that DePaul is only down 3 to Nova with a minute left. How?

[DCwarrior]

Nova escapes. DePaul had a chance to tie it at the end

[MU/Panther]

Xavier crushed Providence 82-56. Trevon Bluiett with 22 pts. X shot 60% for the game.

Creighton beat Seton Hall 89-75. Maurice Watson 21 pts. 10 assists.

Villanova beat DePaul 68-65. Hart with 25 pts. Sets up the New Year's Eve match up of unbeaten with 1 Villanova at 9 Creighton at noon on FS1.

[warriorfan4life]

Xavier crushed Providence 82-56. Trevon Bluiett with 22 pts. X shot 60% for the game.

Creighton beat Seton Hall 89-75. Maurice Watson 21 pts. 10 assists.

Villanova beat DePaul 68-65. Hart with 25 pts. Sets up the New Year's Eve match up of unbeaten with 1 Villanova at 9 Creighton at noon on FS1.

As much as I respect Ed Cooley and what he's built at Providence, I could see this turning way south on them in Big East play. Their situation reminds me of Butler in 2013-2014, a team that played well above expectations in non-conference play and subsequently went 4-14 in conference. Not sure if goes that south for Providence, but I can easily see them going 6-12.

Now, I expect this to be a one year blip for them like it was for Butler (which went 12-6 in Big East play the next year and narrowly missed making the Sweet 16). However, this year they are much closer to the St. John's/DePaul end of the league and not the Marquette/Hall/Georgetown middle of the pack.