The Finneran Pavilion is set for a midday showdown as the Villanova Wildcats prepare to host the Xavier Musketeers in a highly anticipated BIG EAST women’s basketball clash on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET, and fans can catch all the action live on ESPN Select or stream it via ESPN+.
Villanova enters the contest with a formidable 12-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in BIG EAST play. The Wildcats have been especially dominant at home, riding a five-game winning streak on their own court. Despite a recent 85-69 road loss to Marquette, the Wildcats’ confidence remains high, bolstered by a roster that blends established leaders with rising stars.
Xavier, meanwhile, arrives at Finneran Pavilion holding a 9-6 overall record and a 2-4 conference tally. The Musketeers are coming off a nail-biting 52-51 victory over Georgetown, a game in which Meri Kanerva led the scoring with 14 points. That win snapped a brief skid and injected some much-needed momentum into the Musketeers’ campaign.
This matchup marks the 24th all-time meeting between Villanova and Xavier, with the Wildcats holding a commanding 22-1 edge in the series. The first meeting dates back to March 21, 2006, when Villanova secured a 59-47 win in the second round of the WNIT. Since then, the Wildcats have dominated, claiming victory in 17 consecutive games against the Musketeers. Xavier’s lone triumph came on December 31, 2015, in a dramatic 74-67 overtime battle. Notably, Villanova is a perfect 13-0 against Xavier in games played at home—a streak the Wildcats are eager to extend.
Leading the charge for Villanova is sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe, who has emerged as one of the BIG EAST’s most dynamic scorers. Bascoe is averaging 17.5 points per game this season, and she’s no stranger to big moments—she’s already posted six 20-point outings in 2025-26 and has reached double figures in 14 of the team’s 15 games. In the recent loss to Marquette, Bascoe poured in 20 points on 9-of-21 shooting, also contributing three rebounds and four assists. Her consistency and poise have been vital for the Wildcats’ offensive rhythm.
Freshman guard Kennedy Henry has made an immediate impact as well, earning recognition as both the BIG EAST and Big 5 Rookie of the Week for her performances across three games last week. Henry averaged 15.0 points per contest during that stretch, showcasing her scoring touch and defensive hustle. She’s currently averaging 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while also providing a spark on the defensive end with 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks on average.
Villanova’s supporting cast is no less impressive. Brynn McCurry, a steady presence in the paint, is averaging 11.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Ryanne Allen and Denae Carter round out a balanced attack, with Allen contributing 9.0 points and nearly two made threes per game, while Carter adds 8.1 points and 5.4 rebounds, along with a team-leading 1.5 blocks per contest. Sophomore guard Dani Ceseretti is also coming off a career-best performance, having scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the Marquette game, further highlighting Villanova’s depth.
Offensively, the Wildcats have been a juggernaut. They average 75.1 points per game, outscoring opponents by an impressive 14.5 points on average. Their perimeter game is among the nation’s best, with Villanova making 8.9 three-pointers per contest (23rd in college basketball) and connecting at a 37.3% clip from beyond the arc (17th nationally). The Wildcats’ scoring differential stands at +218 for the season, and they’ve been even more prolific on the road, averaging 76.2 points per game compared to 74.5 at home. Over their last 10 outings, Villanova has upped that average to 76.8 points, a testament to their offensive efficiency and adaptability.
Xavier, on the other hand, has faced challenges on the offensive end, averaging 60.1 points per game and being outscored by an average of 2.7 points. The Musketeers’ shooting from deep has lagged behind, with the team hitting just 25.7% of its three-point attempts. However, Xavier’s defense has kept them competitive, allowing only 62.8 points per contest. The Musketeers have shown resilience, especially in close games, as evidenced by their one-point win over Georgetown.
Mariyah Noel has been Xavier’s go-to scorer, averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. MacKenzie Givens adds 10.3 points and 4.7 boards, while Meri Kanerva, fresh off her clutch performance against Georgetown, averages 9.6 points and 4.5 assists. Vivien Nejašmić and Savannah White provide additional depth, with White leading the team in rebounding at 7.1 per game.
Looking at the numbers, Villanova’s offensive firepower and home-court advantage make them favorites, but Xavier’s recent grit and history of pushing the Wildcats in past matchups suggest this could be a closer contest than the records imply. After all, upsets are part of what makes college basketball so thrilling—will the Musketeers find a way to break their losing streak in the Pavilion, or will Villanova’s dominance at home continue?
Fans eager to witness the action in person can secure tickets through Vivid Seats, while those watching from home can tune in to ESPN Select or stream live via ESPN+. The Wildcats will look to maintain their momentum before heading to Providence for another BIG EAST test on Sunday, January 11, with that matchup set to air on TruTV.
As Thursday’s tip-off approaches, anticipation is building for another chapter in this BIG EAST rivalry. Both teams have plenty to play for—Villanova aiming to cement its status atop the conference, Xavier hoping to turn the tide and make a statement on the road. One thing’s for sure: the Finneran Pavilion crowd is in for an exciting morning of college hoops.