“St. John’s Dominates UConn in MSG Showdown, Crushing Hopes of Big East Title”
In a thrilling matchup at Madison Square Garden, St. John’s delivered a powerhouse performance, dominating UConn and squashing their hopes of securing the Big East title. The Red Storm’s relentless defense and precision shooting left their opponents reeling, as they showcased their determination to come out on top. Stay tuned for all the highlights and analysis from this epic showdown between two powerhouse teams. #StJohns #UConn #BigEastTitle #MSGShowdown
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NEW YORK — An aggressive, hounding defense. Bully ball on the offensive end. A Hall of Fame coach walking the sideline. Chants of “Let’s go, Johnnies!” filling Madison Square Garden in the final minute of No. 12 St. John’s70-64 win over No. 11 Marquette.
For a basketball program desperate to return to relevance — and win its first Big East regular-season championship since 1992 — it was hard to escape the feeling that Tuesday night was a turning point.
There have been false dawns for St. John’s basketball before, but this season’s Red Storm have won nine games in a row and 15 of their past 16, and they sit atop the Big East standings at 11-1.
And now they have the statement win they’ve been looking for all season.
“You guys can see it now,” St. John’s forward RJ Luis Jr. said. “We’re a very hungry group, and we’re very determined to win. We came out tonight, came out fighting, and was able to get the tough win versus a very good Marquette team.”
It was just about one year ago when coach Rick Pitino walked into the news conference following St. John’s eighth loss in 10 games, a 68-62 defeat to Seton Hall after leading by 19 points, and lamented his team’s lack of toughness and athleticism.
“If I said I was disappointed, that would be the understatement of the year,” he said last February. “Our lateral quickness and our toughness is just something I’ve never witnessed in all my years of coaching.”
Twelve months and a revamped roster later, and St. John’s has one of the elite defenses in college basketball, ranking in the top five nationally in adjusted efficiency per KenPom. The team’s effort at that end of the floor has been at the heart of its success, and that was again the case Tuesday.
Despite not shooting well from the 3-point line (3-for-16) or the free throw line (17-for-31), St. John’s held Marquette to 0.95 points per possession — the Golden Eagles’ second-worst offensive performance of the campaign.
There was no possession more evident of the Red Storm’s commitment on defense than after St. John’s took a 66-59 lead in the final two minutes. Marquette needed to come down and score quickly to cut the lead, but the Golden Eagles simply couldn’t get a look at the basket. They dribbled around for 25 seconds before Kadary Richmond blocked a 3-point attempt into the stands with 1:11 remaining.
“I thought all the guys played great defense,” Pitino said. “They help each other, they switch. This is a relentless defensive team, and you see it all the time. … This is a relentless group. A relentless group that’s totally bought into stopping every play.”
St. John’s withstood early shooting woes by attacking the offensive glass. At one point late in the first half, Marquette had made five 3s to the Red Storm’s 0. But St. John’s countered that by grabbing 11 offensive rebounds to Marquette’s 0, resulting in seven second-chance points.
“I thought they played with incredible violence,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “They were just the more aggressive team for the majority of the game.”
Stingy defense and offensive rebounding have been part of the Red Storm’s identity all season, but lately the reemergence of Richmond has given them an added dimension on offense.
Richmond, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal last spring after leaving Seton Hall, hadn’t quite reached the same heights at St. John’s through the first 2½ months of the season. But he had 24 points — including the game winner — 8 rebounds and 8 assists against Providence on Saturday, and he finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists on Tuesday.
“He’s a humble superstar. And I’ll tell you, in this day and age, you don’t get Kadary Richmonds anymore,” Pitino said. “Kadary has been a joy to coach. A humble, hard-working guy who’s getting better at his age, he’s like a fine wine. He’s just getting better and he’s just a great teammate. He doesn’t look for credit, he doesn’t look for praise. He makes a mistake, he goes, ‘It’s on me.’ I wish they would all act like that, but he’s a pro. He’s a professional. He acts that way. So, I’m very lucky to have him.”
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, “We want UConn!” chants rang out from certain corners of the Garden. St. John’s heads to Storrs to face UConn on Friday night, another game for the Red Storm to lay down a marker in their quest for a conference title.
But Pitino wasn’t interested in giving the Huskies any bulletin board material. When asked after the game for his thoughts on the chants about the two-time reigning national champions, the coach was succinct:
“I think they’re drunk.”
In a thrilling matchup, St. John’s University emerged victorious over Marquette to maintain their position at the top of the Big East standings. The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense.
Despite a valiant effort from Marquette, St. John’s was able to pull away in the final minutes thanks to some clutch shooting and strong performances from their star players. The win solidifies St. John’s as a force to be reckoned with in the Big East, as they continue their quest for a conference championship.
Fans of St. John’s can celebrate this hard-fought victory and look forward to more exciting games ahead. With their hunger for success and determination to win, St. John’s is proving to be a team to watch in the Big East.
On Thursday, peculiar signs appeared near the parking lot entrance at Assembly Hall on East Seventh Street in Austin, Texas, indicating FX’s original series, “The Bear” might be filming in the Capital City.
Next to a black sign that read, “Private event parking only,” were two yellow signs with arrows. One said, “The Bear,” while the other read, “Crew.”
In the parking lot and the nearby alleyway were sprinter vans and moving trucks, while crew members appeared to be sitting in the semi-private outdoor patio area at Assembly Hall, a multi-purpose event space in East Austin. There was equipment of sorts set up in the adjoining parking lot, as well.
It’s currently unclear what exactly the crew was doing. But filming in Austin likely seems odd to many, considering the show largely takes place in Chicago, Illinois.
Season 3 of “The Bear” premiered on Hulu in June 2024. Much of Season 4 has already been filmed. But FX’s CEO John Landgraf previously told Collider that production would resume in February 2025.
The fourth season of “The Bear” is expected in summer 2025.
Exciting news for fans of the hit TV show “The Bear”! The crew was recently spotted in East Austin, sparking rumors that they may be filming scenes for Season 4.
The popular show, which follows the adventures of a group of friends living in a small mountain town, has garnered a dedicated following since its debut. Fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a new season, and it looks like their patience may soon be rewarded.
Details about the potential Season 4 storyline are still under wraps, but seeing the crew in action has certainly generated a buzz in the community. Could this mean new drama, romance, or even more bear sightings in the upcoming season? Only time will tell.
For now, fans will have to stay tuned for more updates and keep their eyes peeled for any more sightings of “The Bear” crew in Austin. Excitement is definitely building for what promises to be another thrilling season of this beloved show.
An updated February outlook is warmer in the East and South than what happened in January.
Early in the month, the epicenter of February cold will be from the Northwest to the Northern Plains.
But a potential pattern change later in the month could shift that cold elsewhere.
February’s temperature forecast looks much different than January’s persistent cold, but there’s a late month wild card that could change that, according to an updated outlook released Friday by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2.
How February looks: For the month as a whole, most of the East and South are expected to be warmer than average, particularly from the mid-Atlantic and Southeast to coastal and southern Texas. However, a colder February is expected in the Northwest, Northern Rockies and Northern Plains.
Since the map is an overall snapshot for all 28 days in the month, it masks some notable week-to-week temperature swings, which we’ll discuss later.
The February 2025 temperature outlook, as of Jan. 31. The colors on the map indicate areas of progressively above average (oranges, maroon, pink) and below average (blue, purple, pink) temperatures forecast for the month, overall.
(AG2/TWC)
How the month’s temperatures might evolve:
February should start out generally colder from the Northwest to the Northern Plains, and occasionally into the Great Lakes and Northeast as some cold air in western Canada sweeps across the northern tier. Meanwhile, the southern tier of the country should be warmer than usual for this time of year.
However, there’s a pattern change that could happen around mid-month, according to Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2.
“Heading into the back half of February, this represents a low-probability colder risk,” said Crawford, referring to this potential pattern change’s impact on temperatures in the East and South.
How the pattern change could make it colder later in February: Patterns of the jet stream, including sharp southward plunges and domes of high pressure, help steer storm systems that either deliver or deflect cold air.
As of the time this article was published, computer forecast models suggested a dome of high pressure known as a Greenland block could form by mid-month. When that happens, the jet stream is forced to take a southward nosedive over the eastern U.S., delivering more persistent cold there.
At the same time a positive phase of the Pacific-North American pattern could move another dome of high pressure near or just off the West Coast.
If that pattern change happens, it could shift the country to a warm West – cold East and South scenario for late February. So, you may want to enjoy your February thaw early in the month, while you can.
Jet stream pattern in the positive phase of the Pacific North American pattern.
Cold January: This February forecast looks quite a bit different than January, as the map below of January temperature anomalies (through the 27th) shows.
According to AG2’s Todd Crawford, it was America’s coldest January since 2014, that’s the January when the “polar vortex” first entered into the pop culture lexicon.
The month featured four major winter storms in under three weeks, beginning with Winter Storm Blair and punctuated by the historic Gulf Coast Winter Storm Enzo.
This map shows how far above and below average temperatures were in the first 27 days of January 2025, the most recent data available at the time the article was published, in degrees Celsius.
(NOAA/PSL)
As we head into the month of February, it looks like the temperature outlook is trending towards warmer conditions in the eastern part of the country. This means that residents in cities like New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. can expect milder temperatures compared to normal for this time of year.
This shift towards warmer conditions is likely due to a variety of factors, including the influence of a strong jet stream pattern and the presence of a high-pressure system over the region. While this may be good news for those who are tired of the cold winter weather, it is important to remember that weather patterns can change quickly and unexpectedly.
As always, it is important to stay informed about the latest weather forecasts and be prepared for any changes in temperature or conditions. Whether you’re enjoying the warmer weather or longing for a return to winter chill, it’s always best to be ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store. Stay tuned for updates on the February temperature outlook and stay safe out there!
One of the biggest needs for the Los Angeles Lakers is a new center. They need someone to help take the load off Anthony Davis.
Davis is hoping that the team will get a center who will start next to him. He has mentioned multiple times how he thinks that the best play he has on the court is from the power forward spot.
Los Angeles has been looking around at the price for other centers across the league. There are some starting centers who could be on the move.
Despite the Lakers making calls to other organizations, it doesn’t sound like they have made a call about one specific Eastern Conference center.
That is Hawks center Clint Capela. Capela has recently been moved from a starting role to the bench by Atlanta.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are not interested in Capela. The Lakers seem to have turned their attention to some other options ahead of the trade deadline.
Capela actually wouldn’t be a bad option for the Lakers. He is someone who can grab a bunch of rebounds and is a good rim-runner.
He is also someone who can start or come off the bench, depending on the matchup. The Lakers are looking for any help they can get at center, so it’s unclear why they aren’t interested in him.
Los Angeles has been linked to both a center and a guard before the trade deadline. It seems unlikely at this point that they add both with the deadline just a week away.
A guard seems like the bigger need from a basketball standpoint, but the Lakers might bring in a center instead just to make their superstar happy.
The Lakers know they need to make a move in order to be an NBA title contender. It remains to be seen which of these moves they make if they make a move at all.
As time goes on, this deadline is in danger of being a complete dud, just as last year’s was.
Capela is averaging 9.4 points, nine rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this year.
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly not had any discussions with an Eastern Conference team regarding a potential trade for their $22 million center. Rumors had been swirling in recent days about a potential deal involving the Lakers big man, but it appears that no talks have taken place.
The Lakers are currently in the midst of a busy offseason, with rumors swirling about potential trades and free agent signings. However, it seems that any potential deal involving their center will have to wait, as the team has not been in contact with any Eastern Conference squads about a potential trade.
It remains to be seen if the Lakers will ultimately decide to move on from their center, or if they will look to build around him for the upcoming season. In the meantime, fans will have to wait and see what the team’s next move will be as they continue to shape their roster for the upcoming season.
East Carolina Pirates (12-9, 4-4 AAC) at Temple Owls (13-8, 5-3 AAC)
Philadelphia; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Temple hosts East Carolina after Jamal Mashburn Jr. scored 34 points in Temple’s 90-89 overtime win over the Charlotte 49ers.
The Owls are 9-0 in home games. Temple has a 4-2 record in one-possession games.
The Pirates are 4-4 in conference games. East Carolina scores 75.4 points while outscoring opponents by 4.2 points per game.
Temple’s average of 7.0 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.8 fewer made shots on average than the 7.8 per game East Carolina gives up. East Carolina averages 6.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 fewer made shots on average than the 8.0 per game Temple allows.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mashburn is scoring 21.6 points per game and averaging 3.0 rebounds for the Owls. Steve Settle is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
RJ Felton is shooting 33.1% from beyond the arc with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Pirates, while averaging 17.9 points and 7.2 rebounds. C.J. Walker is shooting 47.9% and averaging 16.5 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Owls: 6-4, averaging 81.7 points, 33.4 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.2 points per game.
Pirates: 5-5, averaging 73.3 points, 34.8 rebounds, 13.5 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Temple Owls’ senior guard, Khalif Mashburn, put on a stellar performance last night as he led his team to a decisive victory over East Carolina. With 26 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, Mashburn showcased his all-around skills and leadership on the court.
From the opening tip-off, Mashburn set the tone for the game, scoring timely baskets and making key plays to keep Temple ahead. His ability to penetrate the defense and create scoring opportunities for his teammates proved to be crucial in the Owls’ success.
Despite facing a tough East Carolina team, Mashburn’s composure and skill helped Temple secure a comfortable win. His performance earned him praise from fans and teammates alike, solidifying his status as a key player for the Owls this season.
As Temple continues its conference play, all eyes will be on Mashburn to lead his team to more victories and further establish himself as one of the top players in the league. With his talent and determination, the Owls are in good hands with Mashburn at the helm.
We’ve got another exciting American Athletic matchup on schedule as the East Carolina Pirates and the Temple Owls are set to tip at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday at Liacouras Center. The Pirates are strutting in with some offensive muscle as they’ve averaged 75.4 points per game this season.
Temple is hoping to do what South Florida couldn’t on Saturday: put an end to East Carolina’s winning streak, which now stands at three games. East Carolina came out on top against South Florida by a score of 64-55. That’s two games straight that the Pirates have won by exactly nine points.
East Carolina’s success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Trevion LaBeaux led the charge by posting eight points along with eight rebounds. The dominant performance also gave LaBeaux a new career-high in offensive rebounds (five). Another player making a difference was Jordan Riley, who went 5 for 8 en route to 12 points plus six rebounds and two steals.
East Carolina smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 17 offensive rebounds. The team’s really been improving in that area: they’ve now improved their offensive rebound total in three consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, it may have taken double overtime to finish the job, but Temple ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They skirted by Charlotte 90-89 thanks to a clutch free throw from Jamal Mashburn Jr. with but a second left in the fourth quarter. Having run the score up that high, both teams might be doing some extra defensive drills very soon.
Mashburn Jr. was the offensive standout of the matchup as he had 34 points in addition to six rebounds. Steve Settle III was another key player, scoring 13 points along with three steals.
East Carolina’s victory bumped their record up to 12-9. As for Temple, their win was their ninth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 13-8.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: East Carolina has been smashing the glass this season, having averaged 39 rebounds per game. However, it’s not like Temple struggles in that department as they’ve been averaging 37.7. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we’ll see if one team can grab an edge.
East Carolina barely slipped by Temple in their previous meeting back in January, winning 80-79. The rematch might be a little tougher for East Carolina since the team won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
Temple is a slight 2.5-point favorite against East Carolina, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 2.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
Temple has won 6 out of their last 10 games against East Carolina.
Jan 08, 2025 – East Carolina 80 vs. Temple 79
Jan 28, 2024 – East Carolina 70 vs. Temple 64
Jan 10, 2024 – East Carolina 73 vs. Temple 62
Jan 18, 2023 – Temple 73 vs. East Carolina 58
Dec 28, 2022 – Temple 59 vs. East Carolina 57
Feb 02, 2022 – Temple 71 vs. East Carolina 63
Jan 08, 2022 – Temple 78 vs. East Carolina 75
Feb 23, 2020 – East Carolina 67 vs. Temple 63
Feb 01, 2020 – Temple 76 vs. East Carolina 64
Jan 16, 2019 – Temple 85 vs. East Carolina 74
Are you ready to watch the Temple Owls take on the East Carolina Pirates in an exciting NCAA Basketball matchup? Here’s all the information you need to catch the game live:
– Date: Thursday, February 25
– Time: 7:00 PM ET
– TV Channel: ESPN+
– Live Stream: WatchESPN app or ESPN website
– Game Odds: Temple Owls -3.5
Don’t miss out on the action as these two teams battle it out on the court. Tune in to cheer on your favorite team and enjoy some thrilling college basketball. Let’s go Owls! #TempleVsECU #NCAABasketball #GameDay
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After 10 league games, Creighton has played everyone else in the league once and has an 8-2 record. Their first rematch comes on Saturday in Philadelphia against Villanova, who has also played everyone once and owns a 5-5 mark. The Wildcats are 4-1 at home, including a 68-66 win over UConn; conversely, they’re 1-4 on the road.
It’s the start of a brutal five-game stretch for the Bluejays, where they’ll play at Villanova, Providence and St. John’s, with home games against Marquette and UConn sandwiched in the middle — all in the span of 15 days. If they come out of that with three or more wins, they’ll not only cement themselves as threats to win the Big East regular season title, but likely move up a seed line or two in NCAA Tournament projections. And the final five games of the regular season include home games against Butler and DePaul, plus a Georgetown team they’ll be ready to exact revenge on. Oh, and a road game at last-place Seton Hall is sitting out there, too.
That makes the next two weeks the pivot point for the season.
“This stretch is difficult,” Greg McDermott said on his postgame radio show after Wednesday’s game. “The good news is, you know, Villanova is relatively simple in what they do. Doesn’t mean it’s easy to stop — it’s very difficult to stop with Eric Dixon running around. So we’re gonna have to be locked into our plan. We shot the ball really well and were able to create some threes against them the first time, and we’re gonna have to duplicate that if we expect to be successful.”
Ah yes, Eric Dixon. He’s the one puzzle Ryan Kalkbrenner has never been able to solve, the best version of the exact type of player who gives them the most trouble: a mobile big man who’s comfortable shooting midrange jumpers and threes. On December 21 when these teams met in Omaha — Kalkbrenner’s ninth game against Dixon — Creighton decided to try something new. They stuck the 6’8” Jasen Green on him instead, hoping Green’s quickness and athleticism would be better suited for chasing Dixon off the line. And if it worked, it would free up Kalkbrenner to stay home near the rim and keep other Wildcats from getting easy shots.
He scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three. No one could call that a success and be taken seriously. But keeping Kalkbrenner inside did help them make everyone else’s jobs harder. Here’s the shot chart from that game; Villanova had some success at the rim, and almost no success from anywhere else in the paint. The rest of their two-pointers were mid-range jumpers. McDermott’s comments after the game made the same observations.
“I thought Jasen made Eric Dixon’s life really hard and we shortened the bench a little bit tonight for that reason. We wanted Jasen on him as much as possible,” McDermott said on his postgame radio show that night. “But you have to stay connected to Dixon. He’s gotten so good at reading. If you switch and you’re on top, he’ll roll to the basket. If you’re under, he’s going to post you, and now you’ve got a smaller guy on him, and he backs him in. We were staying attached to him, but as a result, the other guys hit some mid-range stuff.”
Dixon is averaging 24.6 points per game and is the nation’s leading scorer. He’s scored 183 points in nine all-time meetings against the Jays (that’s 20.3 points per game), scoring 30 or more twice. He’s scored 20 points or more in each of his last six meetings against Creighton, the longest streak by any Bluejay opponent since Evansville’s Colt Ryan did it in five straight meetings from 2010-12. Ryan is also the only opponent since 1996-97 to score more points against the Jays than Dixon has; Ryan scored 201 in a maddening career where he torched CU time after time. Dixon has made 25-of-50 three-pointers (.500) in his career against CU, 11 more makes than what he’s done against any other school.
In league games, four of the Wildcats five starters have averaged in double figures: Dixon (23.4 ppg), Jordan Longino (14.9 ppg), Wooga Poplar (13.7 ppg) and Jhamir Brickus (10.3 ppg). That quartet has scored 623 of Nova’s 742 Big East points (84%). They’ve also shouldered the heaviest load in minutes with Dixon and Longino averaging 35.7 and 35.0 minutes per game, while Poplar checks in at 30.7 mpg and Brickus is at 30.3 mpg.
But after getting out to a 4-1 start (with the only loss coming to Creighton) they’ve gone 1-4 since. They shot 50 percent or better from the field in three of its first four league games, but they’ve been held below 43.3% in all six games since. And 43 of their 90 turnovers in league games have come in the last four contests.
Poplar is shooting 38% from three-point range and averaging 13.6 points with a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game. He scored 19 in Omaha on 7-of-12 shooting, but did most of his damage inside with four made shots inside the restricted area. Poplar also had 10 of Villanova’s 28 rebounds.
Brickus added 16 points in that game, making 7-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-3 from three. He scored 10 points in the game’s first eight minutes, including a pair of threes, while Steven Ashworth was his primary defender. At the under-12 timeout the Jays shifted Jamiya Neal onto him, and shut his water off as Brickus scored just six more points the rest of the day. That bears watching in the rematch — will they start Neal on him this time? Or go back to Ashworth as his primary defender so that Neal can try to shut down Poplar? For the season, Brickus is averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 49.4% (42-of-85) from three-point range and 50% overall (87-of-174).
Longino was the one player CU managed to hold in check in the first meeting. He scored nine points on 4-of-12 shooting, including 1-of-5 from three. He’s averaging 11.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, and shooting 35.9% from three (33-of-92). But he’s coming off a 27 point, seven assist game against Marquette, and over the last seven games he’s averaging 15.9 ppg. Longino is 40-of-78 from the field in that span (.513), including 16-of-33 (.485) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Defensively, Villanova doesn’t force a lot of turnovers (15.5% of opponent’s possessions, 296th in D1). That bared out in the first meeting, as CU had just seven turnovers, a season low at the time (they later equaled it at Butler). They also don’t do much to disrupt passing lanes; their opponents have had an assist on 60.4% of made baskets, 336th in D1. Creighton tied a season-high with 22 assists, and with an assist on 70.9% of their made baskets it’s their best mark of the year so far. That ball movement paid off — their 14 made three-pointers were a season high at the time (since equaled against Providence), and their 56.0% shooting percentage from three is their best of the year.
Their adjusted defensive efficiency ranks 181st at 107.2. Opponents have generally had success in the paint, shooting 48.6% on two-pointers thanks to a lack of real rim protection or the threat of a shot blocker to alter shots. But their pace is still vintage Villanova — their average possession length is over 19 seconds long, and their adjusted tempo is just 63.2 (346th slowest in D1).
Tip: 12:00pm Venue: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
TV: FOX Announcers: Tim Brando and Donny Marshall In Omaha: Cox channel 10 (SD), 1010 (HD); CenturyLink Prism channel 42 (SD), 1042 (HD); DirecTV 42; Dish Network 42 or 5203 Outside Omaha: Your local FOX affiliate Streaming Fox Sports app and website
Radio: 1620AM, 101.9FM Announcer: John Bishop Streaming on 1620TheZone.com and the 1620 The Zone mobile app Simulcast on SiriusXM channel 386 as well as on the SiriusXM App
In the first meeting, Villanova got just eight points from players outside of their big four (Dixon, Poplar, Brickus and Longino).
Only four Villanova players have averaged 20 points or more in a regular season since Tom Ingelsby averaged 25.5 points per game in 1972-73. Kerry Kittles did it in 1994-95 (21.4 ppg) and 1995-96 (20.4 ppg), Michael Bradley hit that mark in 2000-01 (20.8 ppg) and Randy Foye averaged 20.5 ppg in 2005-06. Dixon is currently averaging 24.6 points.
VU is 10-2 this season (.833) and 27-7 (.794) since the start of 2023-24 when holding teams to fewer than 70 points in a game. The Wildcats are 2-7 (.286) in 2024-25 when teams score 70 or more in a contest and 3-18 (.143) in that spot in the last two seasons.
Isaac Traudt has scored in double-figures in four of his last five games. His four gams in double-figures as a reserve during league play are tied for the Big East lead this season. Traudt and Jackson McAndrew, who typically share the minutes at the “4” for Creighton, have averaged a combined 14.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 39.0 minutes per contest during CU’s six-game win streak.
In league play this season, Creighton leads the league with 10.00 three-pointers per game and is second with 37.9 percent marksmanship from deep. Villanova is second with 9.50 three-pointers per game, while the Wildcats are tops with 39.4 percent accuracy from downtown. The first time these teams met this season, Creighton made 14-of-25 trifectas (56 percent), while Villanova was 8-for-20 (40 percent). Defensively, Creighton has allowed a league-low 64 three-pointers in BIG EAST play, but Villanova’s 96 allowed are second-most.
Creighton has established a season-high by winning six games in a row, and can grow that total with a seventh straight win on Saturday. Creighton has now had at least one streak of five or more wins (including non-conference games) in 26 of the last 28 seasons (including 2024-25).
Villanova leads the all-time series with Creighton, 19-10, including an 11-3 mark in Pennsylvania. But CU is 3-2 inside Wells Fargo Center against the Wildcats, and that’s where Saturday’s game will take place.
On February 1, 2012 the 12th ranked Bluejays thumped Illinois State 102-74 to move to 21-2 and 11-1 in the Valley. From Ott’s Thoughts after the game:
“Things started well for Creighton Wednesday, and only got better as the night wore on. Grant Gibbs reached deep into his bag of playground hoops tricks, threw the ball of a defender’s turned back on an inbounds play, and laid the loose ball up for Creighton’s second hoop of the night. The evening ended with Ross Ferrarini hitting back-to-back triples to hit the century mark and fellow Bench Mob member Matt Dorwart knocking down two free throws to push CU’s total to 102 points. In between, the Bluejays treated fans to arguably the best offensive performance in recent program history.
Hyperbole? Hardly. It wasn’t just shooting 56% from the field, 52% from three-point range, and 84% from the free throw line. It was passing up good shots for great ones. It was the effectiveness of almost every lineup combination Greg McDermott put on the court. It was his son, Doug, having a monster game (again), while guards Gibbs and Antoine Young (7 assists apiece) facilitated an efficient offensive machine.
The Bluejays assisted on 22 of 31 made baskets, while committing just 9 turnovers. Led by McDermott’s 25 points (on 9-11 shooting, including a perfect 3-3 from three-point range), six CU players hit double-figures in points. Gibbs added 12 points to his 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Gregory Echenique played only 17 minutes put scored 10 points and grabbed 6 boards. Jahenns Manigat shook off some tenderness in his knee and knocked down 3 of his 4 three-pointers en route to 11 points. Josh Jones scored 10 points off the bench, and Will Artino scored 11 points without missing a shot from the field (3-3) or the charity stripe (5-5).”
The Bottom Line:
Saturday’s game is basically a toss-up; KenPom predicts a one-point Villanova win with 48% odds of victory, while ESPN’s BPI gives Creighton a slight edge with 50.6% odds of winning. There was no Vegas line at the time we hit publish.
Creighton 76, Villanova 72
Are you ready for some intense Big East basketball action? The Creighton Bluejays are gearing up to take on the Villanova Wildcats in a highly anticipated matchup as they begin the second half of conference play.
Creighton has been on a roll lately, boasting a 5-2 record in Big East play and sitting comfortably near the top of the standings. Led by standout players like Marcus Zegarowski and Damien Jefferson, the Bluejays have shown their ability to compete with the best teams in the conference.
On the other hand, Villanova is always a tough opponent, currently sitting at the top of the Big East standings with an impressive 7-1 record. The Wildcats are known for their strong defense and efficient offense, making them a formidable force on the court.
As Creighton heads into Villanova’s home turf, they will need to bring their A-game in order to come out on top. This game is sure to be a thrilling battle between two top teams in the conference, so be sure to tune in and support the Bluejays as they look to make a statement in the second half of Big East play. Let’s go Bluejays! #CreightonBasketball #BigEast #GoJays
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Creighton basketball, Big East conference, Villanova Wildcats, college basketball, game preview, Creighton Bluejays, Big East play, Villanova game, basketball matchup, college sports, Creighton vs Villanova
Maxey is now averaging a career-best 27.1 points and 3.3 three-pointers per game this season, although his efficiency (43.6% overall, 34.0% from deep) has plunged relative to the past few years. The Sixers’ disappointing 19-27 record is likely what kept him from being named an All-Star for the second straight year, though.
To some extent, Maxey fell victim to a numbers game. At most, only six guards can make the All-Star team in each conference. Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson are the starters for the East, and there were plenty of other deserving backcourt candidates who also didn’t make the cut, including Trae Young, LaMelo Ball and Zach LaVine.
Maxey has the sixth-highest scoring average of any player who didn’t make the All-Star Game over the past decade, trailing only Bradley Beal (30.5 points per game in 2019-20), Ball (28.2 this season), Devin Booker (27.8 in 2022-23) and Kyrie Irving (27.4 in both 2019-20 and 2021-22). Points per game isn’t the only way to measure whether a player deserves an All-Star nod, but that’s noteworthy context nonetheless.
Had the Sixers’ season not gone off the rails from the jump, Maxey likely would be headed back to the All-Star Game. Luckily, he appears focused on more important matters.
“I’ll say this: I’m more happy about the way our team has been playing the past three weeks,” Maxey told reporters Tuesday about what another All-Star nod would mean to him. “We haven’t won every game of course, but it’s finally coming together. Guys are going out there and having fun, and guys are excited to come into the building and try to compete.”
Even with Paul George and Joel Embiid out of the lineup, Maxey helped guide the Sixers to back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings on Tuesday and Wednesday. He’s also riding a six-game streak in which he’s shot at least 50% from the field after clearing that threshold only six times across his first 33 games.
“I think earlier in the year, I was worried about what was going on,” Maxey admitted Tuesday. “Injuries and all that, it just kind of sucks. But now, I’ve just kind of had the mindset of whoever’s out here is out here. We’ve gotta go out here and play extremely hard and give ourselves a chance to win the game. And I know that’s gonna start with me, and I’m OK with that. I’m up for the challenge.”
It’s a bummer that Maxey won’t be headed to San Francisco for his second straight All-Star Game, but it might be a blessing in disguise. After all, he’s playing a career-high 37.9 minutes per game this season as he tries to keep the Sixers afloat sans George and Embiid. Get that man to a beach in Cabo for some well-deserved R&R during the All-Star break.
Although he has had a breakout season for the Philadelphia 76ers, Tyrese Maxey was not named as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve. Despite averaging 16.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, the second-year guard was left off the roster.
Many fans and analysts were surprised by Maxey’s omission, as he has been a key contributor for the Sixers this season. His scoring ability, playmaking skills, and energy on both ends of the court have been instrumental in Philadelphia’s success.
While it’s disappointing that Maxey won’t be making his All-Star debut this year, there’s no doubt that he will continue to be a rising star in the league. With his work ethic and determination, it’s only a matter of time before he earns a spot among the NBA’s elite players.
A major part of the new deal includes protections against AI.
The Writers Guild of America East and ABC News have agreed on a new three-year deal.
What’s Happening:
Deadline reports that the Writers Guild of America East have “overwhelmingly” ratified this new three-year deal with ABC News, which include AI protections and big financial gains.
In this new deal, ABC News will not lay off any current staff employees and, going forward, must announce implementation of AI systems at least three weeks in advance. The two parties have also agreed to regularly meet to discuss AI.
A 3.5% pay increase per year for three years has been agreed to, alongside additional paid time off, contributions of health funds, and great attribution for writers.
What They’re Saying:
WGA East Bargaining Committee: “We are immensely proud of our new contract, which we’ve won as the result of the resilience and solidarity shown by our fellow WGA East members at ABC News. With their overwhelming support, we secured a deal that outlines groundbreaking protections against Generative AI and makes significant improvements to all of our benefits.”
More ABC News:
The Writers Guild of America East and ABC News have reached a new agreement that will see writers and producers at the network continue to be represented by the union for the next three years. The deal, which was announced today, includes provisions for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions for members of the guild.
“We are pleased to have reached a fair and equitable agreement with ABC News that will benefit our members and ensure that their voices are heard in the workplace,” said Lowell Peterson, executive director of the Writers Guild of America East. “This new deal reflects the hard work and dedication of our members, who are essential to the success of ABC News.”
The agreement comes after months of negotiations between the guild and ABC News, with both sides working to address issues such as pay disparities, job security, and workplace diversity. The new deal also includes provisions for improved health and safety protections for writers and producers working in the news division.
“We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all of our employees, and we are pleased to have reached this agreement with the Writers Guild of America East,” said a spokesperson for ABC News. “We value the contributions of our writers and producers, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the guild in the years to come.”
Overall, the new agreement between the Writers Guild of America East and ABC News is a positive development for members of the union and for the network as a whole. It reflects a commitment to fair labor practices, workplace equity, and the importance of empowering writers and producers in the news industry.
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