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After smoothly handling its first test as the nation's No. 1 team, Villanova appears headed for an extended stay atop the rankings. Taking the court atop the AP Top 25 for the first time, Villanova (21-3, 11-1 Big East) didn't disappoint in Tuesday's 86-59 rout at DePaul. The Wildcats have displayed noticeable determination since having their 22-game Big East winning streak end with an 82-76 overtime loss to then-No. 16 Providence Jan. 24 in Philadelphia. Continue to Article

February 12, 2016 7:06:pm EST

Villanova is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history. Its stay at the summit would likely be short-lived if the Wildcats become DePaul's next upset victim. The Blue Demons, though, have lost 16 in a row to top-ranked teams, a streak the Wildcats can extend in Tuesday night's road matchup with Daniel Ochefu possibly returning. Continue to Article

February 08, 2016 6:21:pm EST

When the few students who attended their game didn't pour onto the court after the final buzzer, DePaul players took matters into their own hands. They climbed into the stands to celebrate with the students after their 77-70 upset of No. 11 Providence on Tuesday night. Such excitement might seem over-the-top for a victory over the Big East's third best team, but any shred of success is celebration-worthy at DePaul. After all, this is a Blue Demons program that is just 38-148 in 11 seasons in the Big East, a product of a threadbare budget, sub-par facilities and an inability to compete with the dozens of other top programs who recruit Chicago for the city's best prospects. Providence's loss was a surprise considering the Friars (18-5, 6-4) have already won at Villanova, Butler and Georgetown this season. The Friars lost because neither of their two marquee players performed up to their usual high standards. Forward Ben Bentil, who was averaging a Big East-best 20.3 points entering Tuesday's game, logged only 14 minutes as a result of a first-half right leg injury. He returned in the second half but finished with only six points, leaving Providence with little interior scoring or rebounding. Point guard Kris Dunn tried to pick up the slack, but the future lottery pick struggled shooting the ball the entire night. Dunn finished with 14 points on 5-for-20 shooting, not nearly enough to save the Friars from an embarrassing defeat. Forward Myke Henry led DePaul with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Providence got as close as within three with 31 seconds to go, but Henry made a layup and then Darrick Wood clinched the DePaul victory with a breakaway dunk. - - - - - - - Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @JeffEisenberg Continue to Article

February 03, 2016 12:29:am EST

Myke Henry had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and DePaul held off No. 11 Providence for a surprising 77-70 victory Tuesday night. The Blue Demons (8-14, 2-8 Big East) had lost eight of nine, but they outrebounded the athletic Friars 48-24 on the way to just their second victory of the season against a Top 25 team. Billy Garrett Jr. added 16 points and Rashaun Stimage had nine points on 4-for-4 shooting. Continue to Article

February 02, 2016 11:42:pm EST

It's been a month since Providence had a game decided by at least 10 points, but DePaul is infrequently one to cause such drama. The Friars gave that game right back two days later with a 75-68 home loss to then-No. 7 Xavier before Saturday's 73-69 win at unranked Georgetown. Since an 83-65 home win over St. John's on Jan. 2, their 4-3 span has been about as tight as it gets with the Friars being outscored 482-480. Continue to Article

February 01, 2016 8:39:pm EST