The Providence Friars (11-15, 4-11 Big East) aim to end a five-game road losing streak when they visit the DePaul Blue Demons (14-12, 6-9 Big East) on February 21, 2026. DePaul won its previous game versus Seton Hall, 69-57, on Wednesday. N.J. Benson starred with 21 points, and also had eight rebounds and one assist. Providence lost its most recent game to St. John's, 79-69, on Saturday. Stefan Vaaks starred with 20 points, plus five boards and three assists.
Marquette basketball picked up another loss on Wednesday, as the Golden Eagles got crushed by the No. 17 St. John's Red Storm at Fiserv Forum in Milwauke e to the tune of a 76-70 score. It was the third straight loss for Shaka Smart's team and one that worsened their overall and Big East records to 9-18 and 4-12, respectively.
On Friday night, DePaul topped Marquette 80-75 at Wintrust Arena, the Blue Demons' third Big East win of the season and third straight Big East home win. The victory, which came in front of a record number of student attendees, makes this season the first since 2014-15 in which DePaul has won three or more conference games by Jan. 16 or earlier -- and the first since 2007 in which it has won three straight conference home games in a single season.
UConn (13-0, 4-0 Big East Conference), the defending national champion, has not lost a game since an 80-76 defeat at then-No. 19 Tennessee on Feb. 6, and has won 51 straight against Big East opponents. The Huskies are off to their best start since 2017-18, when they won their first 36 games before a 91-89 overtime loss to Notre Dame in the national championship game.
Kull expressed skepticism about the Big East becoming a financial powerhouse in men's basketball, emphasizing traditional powerhouses are unlikely to allow Big East programs to outspend them.