The Friars connected early and often from deep and never trailed throughout 40 dominant minutes Saturday evening.

Xavier led by as many as 26. Providence shot 53.7 percent from the field but just 2-of-10 from the free-throw line. The game will be played at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on CBSSN and can be heard on WPRO radio (630-AM, 99.7-FM).

The Big East schedule always delivers, even if it’s a battle of two middle-of-the-pack teams like Saturday with the Villanova Wildcats taking on the Providence Friars. Villanova is fifth in the conference with an 8-6 record,

Providence College men’s basketball coach Kim English has been fined $5,000 by the Big East for comments made on the court following his ejection in the second half of Wednesday night’s loss against Xavier.

The Big East Conference said Providence College men's basketball head coach Kim English will be fined forderogatory comments directed to a game official.