Big East: Conference tournament preview

By PAUL GOTHAM

Villanova looks for its second straight Big East title. The Wildcats defeated Xavier in last year’s final. Xavier and Providence handed the Wildcats their only conference losses of the season. Providence won the 2014 title. Butler, Villanova and Providence all bring three-game win streaks with them to Madison Square Garden – the Big East’s longest.

Providence’s Ben Bentil leads the Big East scoring 21.2 points a game. Henry Ellenson of Marquette tops the conference with 9.8 rebounds. Maurice Watson Jr. hands out 6.6 assists a game. Click here for complete conference statistics.

Georgetown and DePaul tip it off Wednesday night at 7 p.m. with Marquette and St. John’s to follow.

Standings

Villanova 16-2/27-4

Xavier 14-4/26-4

Seton Hall 12-6/22-8

Providence 10-8/21-9

Creighton 9-9/18-13

Marquette 8-10/19-12

Georgetown 7-11/14-17

DePaul 3-15/9-21

St. John’s 1-17/8-23

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year

Kris Dunn, Providence

BIG EAST Most Improved Player

Ben Bentil, Providence

BIG EAST Sixth Man Award

J.P. Macura, Xavier

BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award

Kellen Dunham, Butler