Villanova and Xavier in Race for the Top in Big East Basketball

Villanova has the top spot in the AP College Basketball Poll for the first time this season, and the Wildcats also are in first place in the Big East Conference. To celebrate, the Wildcats trounced DePaul 86-59 on the road February 9th to improve to 21-3 overall and 11-1 in conference play.

Going into action on February 9th, the fifth ranked Xavier Musketeers were just a game behind Villanova in the Big East race. While Villanova was handling DePaul, the Musketeers were at Creighton (15-9, 6-5 in the Big East). The Blue Jays’ Maurice Watson scored a career high 32 points as Creighton upset Xavier 70-56.

With the loss, Xavier fell to 21-3 overall, 9-3 in the Big East, giving Villanova a modicum of breathing room. But the Wildcats can’t afford to get complacent in this season of upsets. Those who are at the top tend to not stay there very long.

Villanova beat Xavier earlier this season, and the two teams will face each other again on February 24th in Cincinnati.