NEW YORK -- Xavier's quest for its first Big East Tournament championship begins Thursday when it faces St. John's in the quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden.
The No. 3 Musketeers (27-4) are 6-5 in the tournament since joining in the 2009-10 season.
The Red Storm (16-16) knocked off Georgetown 88-77 in the opening round Wednesday. Shamorie Ponds returned from an abdominal strain and scored 26 points in the win.
Xavier defeated St. John's in both regular-season meetings.
"Having one of your best players in the lineup is always important," St. John's coach Chris Mullin said.