Four league games and one nonconference rematch dot Wednesday’s BIG EAST schedule.

 

Eight BIG EAST teams will play their first league games of the 2012-13 season. Louisville, which is ranked No. 4 in this week’s national polls, welcomes Providence to the KFC Yum! Center at 6 p.m. ET on the BIG EAST Network. The Cardinals lead the all-time series 11-6, and are 6-0 against the Friars in Louisville.

 

Syracuse won 12 of its 13 nonconference games to start the season and the Orange begin BIG EAST play by hosting Rutgers at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome on the BIG EAST Network. Rutgers, meanwhile, is off to a 9-2 start and brings a five-game winning streak into tonight’s contest.

 

Villanova has likewise won five straight as the Wildcats open BIG EAST play with a visit from St. John’s at the Pavilion (8 p.m., ESPNU). The Red Storm have not played since Dec. 21.

 

DePaul, which saw a seven-game winning streak snapped in its most recent outing, hopes to get back on track with tonight’s BIG EAST opener against Seton Hall at Allstate Arena. The Pirates will take a six-game winning streak into tonight’s matchup.

 

USF will play its final nonconference game of the regular season as the Bulls make a bus trip to Orlando, Fla., to visit UCF at 8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network). The teams have already met this season as USF dropped a 74-56 decision in Tampa Nov. 10.