Providence @ Marquette preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2019 ) Marquette 76, Providence 58

Both Providence and Marquette have shown early on in Big East play that they will be factors in the competitive league. Providence looks to stay perfect in conference action while the host Golden Eagles try to build momentum off an upset win when the teams clash Tuesday night.

After a poor non-conference run that included five losses - four to mid-majors - the Friars opened Big East play with hard-fought victories over Georgetown and DePaul to race to an early three-way tie atop the league standings. "These games are going to come down to the last two, three possessions," Providence coach Ed Cooley told reporters after center Nate Watson's free throw in the final seconds lifted his team to a 66-65 win over the Blue Demons on Saturday. The Golden Eagles bounced back from a 17-point loss at Creighton on Wednesday by racing past No. 16 Villanova 71-60 on Saturday. Senior guard Markus Howard scored 29 points to raise his nation-leading average to 25.8.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: Fox Sports 1

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (9-6, 2-0 Big East): Senior guard Alpha Diallo leads the Friars in scoring (13.7) and rebounding (8.8), but he was held to three and four, respectively, at DePaul. Senior guard Luwane Pipkins picked up some of the slack with 16 points and he is averaging 13.8 over his last five games to boost his season average to 9.9. Senior guard Maliek White also finished with 16 to snap a string of eight straight games in single digits.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (11-3, 1-1): Junior guard Koby McEwen rebounded from a scoreless effort at Creighton to finish with 22 points in the win over Villanova, and he gave credit to Howard for creating opportunities for others. "Markus is an unbelievable player and he makes the game easier for everybody," McEwen told reporters. "But what people don't realize with his scoring, he opens the floor for everybody because guys are not going to help off of him, and if you help off Markus, I mean, I don't know what to say about you." Junior forward Theo John chipped in a season-high 10 rebounds and four blocked shots, and he ranks fourth among Big East players with 2.1 swats per game.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Diallo has at least one steal in 10 straight games and entered the week tied for the league lead with 2.1 per contest.

2. McEwen made a season-high 10 free throws Saturday and is 53-of-59 at the line this season.

3. Howard averaged 19 points to help Marquette sweep two meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Marquette 79, Providence 73