Two of the nation's top teams dive headfirst into conference play Thursday when No. 6 Xavier visits No. 16 Villanova in the Big East opener for both squads. The Musketeers are one of four undefeated teams left in the nation, while the Wildcats have suffered two losses - both to squads currently ranked in the top five.

Mississippi State is trying to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule strong and will aim for its third straight win when it hosts North Carolina Central on Thursday. The Bulldogs are getting their final tuneup before a date with Texas A&M opens SEC play on Jan. 6.

St. John’s had a rough time closing out the non-conference portion of its schedule and is hoping to turn things around with the start of Big East play. The Red Storm will try to snap a three-game slide when they host Creighton in the Big East opener for both teams on Thursday.

Two of the favorites in the Big East come streaking into a marquee matchup when No. 13 Providence visits No. 10 Butler in the conference opener for both teams Thursday afternoon. The Friars have taken six straight since a loss to top-ranked Michigan State and had perhaps their best overall effort in a 90-66 victory at Massachusetts on Dec. 21.

No. 24 Gonzaga strives to win its fifth consecutive contest and third straight in West Coast Conference play when it visits Santa Clara on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs won their first two conference games by an average of 24.5 points and now face a Broncos' squad that has lost three straight games.