Villanova vs. Xavier: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Two of the top teams in basketball play on Saturday, between Villanova and Xavier. Can the Wildcats reclaim first place in the Big East standings?

TV schedule: Saturday, February 17, 4:00 p.m. ET. FOX

Arena: Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

One of the hottest teams in the country has been Xavier 24-3 (12-2), currently riding a nine game winning streak. The No. 4 Musketeers won that ninth game on Wednesday in a high-scoring affair against Seton Hall. Despite giving up 62 points in the second half to the Pirates, Xavier was able to hold them off at the end.

National Player of the Year candidate Trevon Bluiett had 37 points to lead all scorers, while Naji Marshall chipped in with 20 on 7/11 shooting. These two along with JP Macura have led this team on the cusp of a one seed for the NCAA tournament, with a huge game coming up.

There’s one Big East already occupying one of those projected top seeds, and that’s Villanova 23-3 (10-3). One of only two teams in the country that has six different players averaging double figures. But that depth has been tested lately, with injuries to Phil Booth, Omari Spellman and Eric Paschall. Good news for Jay Wright’s team is that the ladder duo have made a return.

In the meanwhile, the Wildcats have lost two of three, including earlier this week in a 76-71 decision. Turns out that going 3-20 from deep, along with giving up the ball 19 times isn’t a good recipe for success.

But Villanova will be looking to repeat the success from the last time they and the Musketeers faced off. It was an 89-65 blowout in favor of the defending Big East champs, led by Booth’s 21 points. Four Wildcats scored at least 14 points, while Xavier’s starters combined for 24 points total.

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The hope is that with this game being at Xavier, the Musketeers can take this game and be one step closer to the program’s first-ever Big East title. But just like it’s Kansas to lose in the Big 12, Villanova is the favorite in this league til it’s all said and done. And that includes this game.

Prediction: Villanova 87 – Xavier 86