The Big East is without a question the best conference in the nation. It also might be the toughest conference to figure out. There are so many talented teams that they just beat up on each other game in and game out. It is thought that this conference could get a record 11 teams into the NCAA Tournament in a few weeks, so that should give you an idea of how good the top of the conference is. With only 8 days left in the regular season there are no spots that have been clinched in the 16-team conference tournament. No team in the conference has more than 3 games remaining and yet other than Pitt nobody has really been able to separate themselves from the rest of the league. Pitt is the only team in the conference that holds more than a game lead on the team immediately behind them. They have a 2 game lead over 2nd place Notre Dame with just 3 games to play after last night’s win. In the other Big East game last night in further cluttered the standings. Check out the results from last night.
THURSDAY’S RECAP:
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES 74
Connecticut Huskies 67
OVERTIME
Just to give you another idea of how tough the Big East is, UCONN is ranked 15th in the country, after losing last night they are in 10th place in the conference. Marquette jumps into a 3-way tie for 9th place with Connecticut and West Virginia after the results from last night. This is a game that UCONN should have won. And had they won it, they would have been just 1 game out of a double bye in the BET. Now they find themselves currently in position to play an opening day game. The Huskies were up by 8 half way through the 2nd half and up by 2 with under 15 seconds on their home court and still lost the game. One of the reasons was Kemba Walker. As great as he has been at some times, he scored 27 points for UCONN, but it took him 27 shots to achieve that. He also had only 2 assists while turning the ball over 4 times, including 1 with under 10 seconds to go that led directly to the game-tying hoop for Marquette. UCONN has 3 games remaining and all 3 are against teams either tied with them or better than them in the standings. The face Cincinnati and WVU on the road before the season finale at home versus Notre Dame. The Golden Eagles have a much easier end of the season schedule. Marquette has home games with Providence and Cincinnati before going on the road against Seton Hall to close the season.
PITT PANTHERS 71
West Virginia Mountaineers 58
As mentioned above, WVU is now in a 3-way tie with Marquette and UCONN for the 9-10-11 spots after losing in the Backyard Brawl. Pitt with the win clinched a double bye. The Panthers can clinch at least a share of the conference title with one more win. Pitt has road games with Louisville and South Florida still on the schedule before closing the season at home against Villanova. WVU has 3 games to play as well. They go to Rutgers on Sunday, then play UCONN and Louisville at home to finish things. WVU is currently slated for a Tuesday game when the BET kicks off, but could still get all the way up to the top 4 for a double bye.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
*Pitt Panthers 13-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Louisville Cardinals 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Georgetown Hoyas 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Syracuse Orange 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
Villanova Wildcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Cincinnati Bearcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 8-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
UCONN Huskies 8-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-14
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
*- Clinched Double-Bye
THIS WEEKEND:
Saturday:
Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
St. John’s @ Villanova 2:00 pm, ESPN
South Florida @ DePaul 2:00 pm, Regional TV
Seton Hall @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPNU
Sunday:
West Virginia @ Rutgers NOON, Regional TV
Connecticut @ Cincinnati NOON, ESPNU
Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Providence @ Marquette 4:00 pm, Regional TV
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES COMING UP:
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30 pm, ESPN
Sunday - Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Monday - Villanova @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – Marquette
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Connecticut
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – West Virginia
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Cincinnati
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - Georgetown
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – St. John’s
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Update on Hoyas Guard Chris Wright
According to the Washington Post Georgetown Hoyas guard Chris Wright has had surgery on his broken left hand and the team is hoping he can make a full recovery and return by the start of the NCAA Tournament.
Wright broke his non-shooting hand at the beginning of the second half during the Hoyas loss to Cincinnati at the Verizon Center in Washington last night.
The Hoyas are currently in line for a bye in the Big East Tournament and are still in play for a double bye, but losing Wright for their final two games will make it difficult for the team. The last two regular season games for Georgetown are Saturday at home on Senior Day, which Wright will be honored, against rival Syracuse and then the following weekend at Cincinnati. With Wright out for those 2 games Georgetown could drop out of the top 8 in the standings and draw a Tuesday game in the Big East Tournament; while winning both games still doesn't guarantee a double bye either. In either case, Wright is not expected to play in New York at all during the tournament.
Georgetown's biggest concern may be how the NCAA Tournament committee views this injury. The Hoyas, which had been thought of as a team that could fall in the top 12 overall seeds, may drop drastically without Wright. In years past the committee has never held a very consistent view on these types of injuries while seeding. Sometimes the committee tries to view how the team would rank without the player, and in this case could really focus on how Georgetown does without Wright, other times they anticipate a players return and wouldn't consider what a team has done with his absence at all. It will be very interesting to see what the committee does on Selection Sunday. It will also be interesting to see how the Hoyas respond to losing arguable their most valuable player at this point in the season.
Wright broke his non-shooting hand at the beginning of the second half during the Hoyas loss to Cincinnati at the Verizon Center in Washington last night.
The Hoyas are currently in line for a bye in the Big East Tournament and are still in play for a double bye, but losing Wright for their final two games will make it difficult for the team. The last two regular season games for Georgetown are Saturday at home on Senior Day, which Wright will be honored, against rival Syracuse and then the following weekend at Cincinnati. With Wright out for those 2 games Georgetown could drop out of the top 8 in the standings and draw a Tuesday game in the Big East Tournament; while winning both games still doesn't guarantee a double bye either. In either case, Wright is not expected to play in New York at all during the tournament.
Georgetown's biggest concern may be how the NCAA Tournament committee views this injury. The Hoyas, which had been thought of as a team that could fall in the top 12 overall seeds, may drop drastically without Wright. In years past the committee has never held a very consistent view on these types of injuries while seeding. Sometimes the committee tries to view how the team would rank without the player, and in this case could really focus on how Georgetown does without Wright, other times they anticipate a players return and wouldn't consider what a team has done with his absence at all. It will be very interesting to see what the committee does on Selection Sunday. It will also be interesting to see how the Hoyas respond to losing arguable their most valuable player at this point in the season.
2-24 BETology
What a crazy night in the Big East. We had an upset that further crowds the race for the top 8 in the conference. We had a scorer drop a Big East single game record 52 points, which was more than 2 different teams scored on the evening. We also had a devastating loss for a team, and that loss was not shown on the scoreboard. Let’s get to the action.
WEDNESDAY’S RECAP:
ST. JOHN’S RED STORM 76
DePaul Blue Demons 51
St. John’s just keeps winning. This was an easy let down game, but the Johnnies dominated from start to finish and by doing so the move into 4th place and a double bye spot with just 3 games remaining. St. John’s could do themselves a huge favor bye continuing this 6 game winning streak in the conference by beating Villanova Saturday. If they can do that, they would be sitting pretty with only Seton Hall and South Florida left on the schedule after Saturday. DePaul losing certainly comes as no surprise. The Blue Demons could climb to the 13-seed if they win out and get some help, but we do know that they will certainly be playing on Tuesday.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH 94
Providence Friars 93
The game of the night, was an absolute shoot out. 125 shot attempts, 43 3-point attempts, both teams shooting over 50% from the field. Now the crazy stats. Providence guard Marshon Brooks scored 52 points, breaking the previous Big East single season scoring record set in 1991 by fellow Friar Eric Murdock. Brooks was fantastic, shooting 20-28 from the field including 6-10 from beyond the arc. Another crazy stat is that only 5 other Friars scored and only 2 scored in double figures. Brooks scored 52, the rest of his team scored 41. As for the Irish, they had 2 guys scored a total of 60 points. What does this results mean for the rest of the Big East though besides just being an exciting game? Well, actually not much. This game was a game the Irish were expected to win. Notre Dame is a game and a half behind Pitt for the top seed in the conference tournament. They also have a full game lead with only 3 games remaining on the group behind them trying to get a double bye. The Friars do know that they will be playing Tuesday. They could climb as high as 12th in the standings, but that is if they win out and get help.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 58
Georgetown Hoyas 46
This was a game that Cincinnati absolutely had to have for NCAA Tournament hopes. It finally gives them a quality win for their resume. But this is a loss that Georgetown absolutely could not afford. Not the loss of the game, but the loss of their starting point guard and second leading scorer, Chris Wright, who left the game with a broken left hand. Wright is out indefinitely and the Hoyas will have to rely on sophomore Hollis Thompson and freshman Markel Starks to fill in until Wright can come back, if he can come back. Losing the game didn’t help Georgetown much either as it dropped them out of the top 4 and into a tie with Syracuse, who they host Saturday. The Bearcats have now won 3 in a row and have snuck up into the top 8 during that run. Cincy still has a tough remaining schedule and can’t afford a let down with only 3 games to go. The Bearcats lone road game is against Marquette. Cincy gets both UCONN and Georgetown at home to finish the season.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Louisville Cardinals 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Georgetown Hoyas 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Syracuse Orange 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
Villanova Wildcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Cincinnati Bearcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-14
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES COMING UP:
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30 pm, ESPN
Sunday - Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Monday - Villanova @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Connecticut
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Cincinnati
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - Georgetown
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – St. John’s
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
WEDNESDAY’S RECAP:
ST. JOHN’S RED STORM 76
DePaul Blue Demons 51
St. John’s just keeps winning. This was an easy let down game, but the Johnnies dominated from start to finish and by doing so the move into 4th place and a double bye spot with just 3 games remaining. St. John’s could do themselves a huge favor bye continuing this 6 game winning streak in the conference by beating Villanova Saturday. If they can do that, they would be sitting pretty with only Seton Hall and South Florida left on the schedule after Saturday. DePaul losing certainly comes as no surprise. The Blue Demons could climb to the 13-seed if they win out and get some help, but we do know that they will certainly be playing on Tuesday.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH 94
Providence Friars 93
The game of the night, was an absolute shoot out. 125 shot attempts, 43 3-point attempts, both teams shooting over 50% from the field. Now the crazy stats. Providence guard Marshon Brooks scored 52 points, breaking the previous Big East single season scoring record set in 1991 by fellow Friar Eric Murdock. Brooks was fantastic, shooting 20-28 from the field including 6-10 from beyond the arc. Another crazy stat is that only 5 other Friars scored and only 2 scored in double figures. Brooks scored 52, the rest of his team scored 41. As for the Irish, they had 2 guys scored a total of 60 points. What does this results mean for the rest of the Big East though besides just being an exciting game? Well, actually not much. This game was a game the Irish were expected to win. Notre Dame is a game and a half behind Pitt for the top seed in the conference tournament. They also have a full game lead with only 3 games remaining on the group behind them trying to get a double bye. The Friars do know that they will be playing Tuesday. They could climb as high as 12th in the standings, but that is if they win out and get help.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 58
Georgetown Hoyas 46
This was a game that Cincinnati absolutely had to have for NCAA Tournament hopes. It finally gives them a quality win for their resume. But this is a loss that Georgetown absolutely could not afford. Not the loss of the game, but the loss of their starting point guard and second leading scorer, Chris Wright, who left the game with a broken left hand. Wright is out indefinitely and the Hoyas will have to rely on sophomore Hollis Thompson and freshman Markel Starks to fill in until Wright can come back, if he can come back. Losing the game didn’t help Georgetown much either as it dropped them out of the top 4 and into a tie with Syracuse, who they host Saturday. The Bearcats have now won 3 in a row and have snuck up into the top 8 during that run. Cincy still has a tough remaining schedule and can’t afford a let down with only 3 games to go. The Bearcats lone road game is against Marquette. Cincy gets both UCONN and Georgetown at home to finish the season.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Louisville Cardinals 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Georgetown Hoyas 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Syracuse Orange 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
Villanova Wildcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Cincinnati Bearcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-14
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES COMING UP:
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30 pm, ESPN
Sunday - Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Monday - Villanova @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Connecticut
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Cincinnati
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - Georgetown
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – St. John’s
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
BETology 2-23
I’m back from vacation and ready for the stretch run. Look for my Rants about the Jim Calhoun slap on the wrist punishment and the Top 25 Rankings, but this is the BETology so let’s take a look at the last 2 days of hoops in the Big East and look ahead a little bit at what is still to come.
MONDAY’S RECAP:
SYRACUSE ORANGE 69
Villanova Wildcats 64
Syracuse starting to get their act together now after losing 6 of 8 the Cuse have now won 3 in a row and are putting themselves back into discussion for a double bye in 2 weeks. As of right now Syracuse is just a half of a game out of 4th place, with two games to play. Their game Saturday at Georgetown will be a huge game for both teams fighting for a top-4 finish. The Orange close the season at home versus DePaul the last Saturday of the season. As for Nova, they are not closing the season the way they would have wanted. The Wildcats have now lost 3 of 5 and struggled in those 2 wins against Seton Hall and DePaul. Things don’t get an easier for Villanova either with St. John’s, Notre Dame and Pitt remaining on the schedule. Villanova went from looking like a sure thing for a bye and probably a double bye to being in real danger of dropping all the way out of the top 8 and playing Tuesday.
TUESDAY'S RECAP:
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS 55
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37
Yes, you read that right, 37 points for Rutgers. Louisville is a great defensive team, but if you can’t score more than a point a minute you should just join the Big Ten basketball conference. Then again, Rutgers was one of the schools considered by the Big Ten, maybe this was their audition, if so they passed with flying colors, but for Big East basketball it is pathetic. Louisville keeps pace for a double bye with the win. They are tied with Georgetown for 3rd place with just 3 games to go. Louisville closes the season with a home game Sunday against Pitt, another one next week versus Providence, and a road game in Morgantown. Rutgers has just 3 games remaining. They can finish no better than 12th place, but technically could drop all the way into last place. Rutgers finishes out the year with hosting WVU, then going on the road against DePaul and Providence before the Big East Tournament.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Syracuse Orange 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
Villanova Wildcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Cincinnati Bearcats 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Notre Dame @ Providence 7:00 pm, Regional TV
DePaul @ St. John’s 7:00 pm, Regional TV
Cincinnati @ Georgetown 9:00 pm, Regional TV
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES COMING UP:
Thursday - Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
Thursday - West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30 pm, ESPN
Sunday - Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Monday - Villanova @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – Connecticut
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – West Virginia
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
MONDAY’S RECAP:
SYRACUSE ORANGE 69
Villanova Wildcats 64
Syracuse starting to get their act together now after losing 6 of 8 the Cuse have now won 3 in a row and are putting themselves back into discussion for a double bye in 2 weeks. As of right now Syracuse is just a half of a game out of 4th place, with two games to play. Their game Saturday at Georgetown will be a huge game for both teams fighting for a top-4 finish. The Orange close the season at home versus DePaul the last Saturday of the season. As for Nova, they are not closing the season the way they would have wanted. The Wildcats have now lost 3 of 5 and struggled in those 2 wins against Seton Hall and DePaul. Things don’t get an easier for Villanova either with St. John’s, Notre Dame and Pitt remaining on the schedule. Villanova went from looking like a sure thing for a bye and probably a double bye to being in real danger of dropping all the way out of the top 8 and playing Tuesday.
TUESDAY'S RECAP:
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS 55
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 37
Yes, you read that right, 37 points for Rutgers. Louisville is a great defensive team, but if you can’t score more than a point a minute you should just join the Big Ten basketball conference. Then again, Rutgers was one of the schools considered by the Big Ten, maybe this was their audition, if so they passed with flying colors, but for Big East basketball it is pathetic. Louisville keeps pace for a double bye with the win. They are tied with Georgetown for 3rd place with just 3 games to go. Louisville closes the season with a home game Sunday against Pitt, another one next week versus Providence, and a road game in Morgantown. Rutgers has just 3 games remaining. They can finish no better than 12th place, but technically could drop all the way into last place. Rutgers finishes out the year with hosting WVU, then going on the road against DePaul and Providence before the Big East Tournament.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Syracuse Orange 10-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
Villanova Wildcats 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Cincinnati Bearcats 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Notre Dame @ Providence 7:00 pm, Regional TV
DePaul @ St. John’s 7:00 pm, Regional TV
Cincinnati @ Georgetown 9:00 pm, Regional TV
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES COMING UP:
Thursday - Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
Thursday - West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30 pm, ESPN
Sunday - Pitt @ Louisville 2:00 pm, CBS
Monday - Villanova @ Notre Dame 7:00 pm, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – Connecticut
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – West Virginia
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
Monday, February 21, 2011
2-21 BETology
What a week to go away on vacation!! Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I get back to work and unfortunately the real world, cold weather and all, on Tuesday evening so things should be back to normal by then. Until then, I will update as much as possible, but won’t promise anything.
It was a crazy weekend in all of college basketball, not just the Big East. For the first time since November of 2003, the top 4 in the AP rankings all lost in the same week. That on top of 3 OT games in the Big East as well as the top 2 teams losing. Just 2 weeks remaining in the regular season and still lots to determine. 7 games to review and break down, so let’s not delay any longer.
SATURDAY’S RECAP:
ST. JOHN’S RED STORM 60
Pitt Panthers 59
This game was the 5th that St. John’s has won at home against an elite team this year. Being a Pitt fan, I will say that I believe Dwight Hardy was out of bounds before taking the last second game winning shot, but that is in the past and there is nothing that can be done about it. The loss, sets the Panthers back a bit, but not that much since Notre Dame lost also and Pitt still holds a 2 game lead with just 2 weeks remaining in the season. Pitt finishes the season with home games against WVU and Villanova and road trips to Louisville and South Florida. For St. John’s this win bumps them into a 3-way tie for the final double-bye. As of right now they would get that spot due to the strength of their wins against Pitt and Notre Dame. The Johnnies has 3 very winnable games remaining, but the 4th is against Villanova in Philadelphia this Saturday. Nova is one of those teams tied currently for 4th, so that game could end up being the biggest game on the schedule for St. John’s and it is away from MSG where they have had so much success.
VILLANOVA WILDCATS 77
DePaul Blue Demons 75
OVERTIME
This Villanova team better get their act together if they don’t want to avoid ending the same way they did last season (losing 4 of 6 to close the reg. season, losing their 1st BET game, sneaking by Robert Morris in the NCAA’s before losing in the 2nd round to St. Mary’s). They have now won 2 straight, after losing 2 in a row, but the wins are a 3 point win versus Seton Hall and a 2 point overtime win against DePaul. Honestly, if DePaul take you to overtime, the NCAA committee should not be allowed to put you in the Big Dance. All that, and Nova closes with easily the most difficult schedule in the conference. The host Syracuse tonight, then St. John’s Saturday before going on the road to close out against Notre Dame and Pitt. DePaul, well they still stink.
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS 72
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58
Well, we knew that at some point WVU would finally get their offense going, and we also knew that at some point Notre Dame would fall back to reality. We just never realized that it would be in the same game. The Irish, one of the better shooting teams in the conference, shot 35% from the field, under 30% from 3 and just a hair over 60% from the foul line, while WVU shot over 40% from both the field and 3, and almost 75% from the charity stripe. The lost blows a golden opportunity for Notre Dame to gain ground on Pitt, they are still 2 back with 4 to play, but hold that valuable head-to-head victory. Notre Dame closes the season at Providence on Wednesday then 2 home games against Seton Hall and Villanova before finishing off on the road in Connecticut. WVU gets a much needed win, pulling them back up into a tie for the final opening day bye spot at 8-6. The Mountaineers have a tough stretch though to finish. They play game 2 of the Backyard Brawl in Pittsburgh Thursday, then stay on the road Sunday against Rutgers before finishing with 2 home games against UCONN and Louisville. One would think WVU has to win at least 2, maybe 3 of those 4 to be in play for that final bye spot. That could be difficult.
GEOREGTOWN HOYAS 61
South Florida Bulls 55
Georgetown took advantage of Pitt and Notre Dame losing and gained a game on both while also keeping some separation between themselves and the rest of the pack chasing. The Hoyas are 2.5 games out of 1st with 3 games remaining, but in a fairly comfortable spot to secure a double bye. In the Hoyas remaining games the face Cincinnati home and away, with a home game against rival Syracuse sandwiched between. South Florida is assured of playing on Tuesday at this point, still with only 2 conference wins. The Bulls have just 3 games remaining too, a home game against 1st place Pitt and road games with DePaul and St. John’s.
SYRACUSE ORANGE 84
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 80
OVERTIME
A win is a win, that is what Syracuse is thinking at this point I would imagine. It wasn’t pretty, but Syracuse has now won 2 straight with 3 to go. They sit one half game behind a 3-way tie for 4th place and a double-bye and one half game from 10th place and playing on the opening day. The Cuse have the week off before traveling Villanova Saturday, then to Georgetown before closing the season in the Carrier Dome against DePaul. With that schedule and how streaky the Orange have been this year, I wouldn’t be surprised with them getting that double bye or playing Tuesday afternoon. The loss for Rutgers puts them into the Tuesday schedule. The best the Knights could do now would be 8-10, which would change their seed, but not get them into a bye and a day off in New York. Rutgers closes with Louisville and WVU at home before road trips to DePaul and Providence.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 93
Providence Friars 81
OVERTIME
Cincinnati one again wins the games they are supposed to win and taking advantage of their schedule. The Bearcats could possibly claim a bye in the BET yet only 2 wins they have are to teams at .500 or better in the conference (St. John’s and Louisville). The Bearcats will earn it if they do get that bye though with 4 tough games remaining. A home-and-home with Georgetown on top of hosting UCONN and traveling to Marquette. Providence clinched a Tuesday time slot with the loss.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES 73
Seton Hall Pirates 64
I once again don’t know what to say about Marquette. They are the definition of average, right down to their 7-7 record. Right now, that won’t cut it if you want a bye on Tuesday in New York. The Eagles do have 3 winnable games down the stretch after going to Connecticut Thursday. I think they will probably have to be above average the last 2 weeks to get that last bye, but their schedule says they could do it. After that UCONN game Marquette has Providence and Cincy at home before a return trip to Seton Hall. As for those Pirates, it looks like their ship has sailed. I guess technically they could still get a bye, but they need TONS of help on top of winning out their final 3 games. I’m not even going to get into detail what they would need to happen until they win 1 or 2 games.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
St. John’s Red Storm 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Louisville Cardinals 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
Syracuse Orange 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Cincinnati Bearcats 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Syracuse @ Villanova 7:00 pm, ESPN
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES THIS WEEK:
Thursday - Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
Thursday - West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – Connecticut
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – West Virginia
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Louisville
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – St. John’s
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
It was a crazy weekend in all of college basketball, not just the Big East. For the first time since November of 2003, the top 4 in the AP rankings all lost in the same week. That on top of 3 OT games in the Big East as well as the top 2 teams losing. Just 2 weeks remaining in the regular season and still lots to determine. 7 games to review and break down, so let’s not delay any longer.
SATURDAY’S RECAP:
ST. JOHN’S RED STORM 60
Pitt Panthers 59
This game was the 5th that St. John’s has won at home against an elite team this year. Being a Pitt fan, I will say that I believe Dwight Hardy was out of bounds before taking the last second game winning shot, but that is in the past and there is nothing that can be done about it. The loss, sets the Panthers back a bit, but not that much since Notre Dame lost also and Pitt still holds a 2 game lead with just 2 weeks remaining in the season. Pitt finishes the season with home games against WVU and Villanova and road trips to Louisville and South Florida. For St. John’s this win bumps them into a 3-way tie for the final double-bye. As of right now they would get that spot due to the strength of their wins against Pitt and Notre Dame. The Johnnies has 3 very winnable games remaining, but the 4th is against Villanova in Philadelphia this Saturday. Nova is one of those teams tied currently for 4th, so that game could end up being the biggest game on the schedule for St. John’s and it is away from MSG where they have had so much success.
VILLANOVA WILDCATS 77
DePaul Blue Demons 75
OVERTIME
This Villanova team better get their act together if they don’t want to avoid ending the same way they did last season (losing 4 of 6 to close the reg. season, losing their 1st BET game, sneaking by Robert Morris in the NCAA’s before losing in the 2nd round to St. Mary’s). They have now won 2 straight, after losing 2 in a row, but the wins are a 3 point win versus Seton Hall and a 2 point overtime win against DePaul. Honestly, if DePaul take you to overtime, the NCAA committee should not be allowed to put you in the Big Dance. All that, and Nova closes with easily the most difficult schedule in the conference. The host Syracuse tonight, then St. John’s Saturday before going on the road to close out against Notre Dame and Pitt. DePaul, well they still stink.
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS 72
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 58
Well, we knew that at some point WVU would finally get their offense going, and we also knew that at some point Notre Dame would fall back to reality. We just never realized that it would be in the same game. The Irish, one of the better shooting teams in the conference, shot 35% from the field, under 30% from 3 and just a hair over 60% from the foul line, while WVU shot over 40% from both the field and 3, and almost 75% from the charity stripe. The lost blows a golden opportunity for Notre Dame to gain ground on Pitt, they are still 2 back with 4 to play, but hold that valuable head-to-head victory. Notre Dame closes the season at Providence on Wednesday then 2 home games against Seton Hall and Villanova before finishing off on the road in Connecticut. WVU gets a much needed win, pulling them back up into a tie for the final opening day bye spot at 8-6. The Mountaineers have a tough stretch though to finish. They play game 2 of the Backyard Brawl in Pittsburgh Thursday, then stay on the road Sunday against Rutgers before finishing with 2 home games against UCONN and Louisville. One would think WVU has to win at least 2, maybe 3 of those 4 to be in play for that final bye spot. That could be difficult.
GEOREGTOWN HOYAS 61
South Florida Bulls 55
Georgetown took advantage of Pitt and Notre Dame losing and gained a game on both while also keeping some separation between themselves and the rest of the pack chasing. The Hoyas are 2.5 games out of 1st with 3 games remaining, but in a fairly comfortable spot to secure a double bye. In the Hoyas remaining games the face Cincinnati home and away, with a home game against rival Syracuse sandwiched between. South Florida is assured of playing on Tuesday at this point, still with only 2 conference wins. The Bulls have just 3 games remaining too, a home game against 1st place Pitt and road games with DePaul and St. John’s.
SYRACUSE ORANGE 84
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 80
OVERTIME
A win is a win, that is what Syracuse is thinking at this point I would imagine. It wasn’t pretty, but Syracuse has now won 2 straight with 3 to go. They sit one half game behind a 3-way tie for 4th place and a double-bye and one half game from 10th place and playing on the opening day. The Cuse have the week off before traveling Villanova Saturday, then to Georgetown before closing the season in the Carrier Dome against DePaul. With that schedule and how streaky the Orange have been this year, I wouldn’t be surprised with them getting that double bye or playing Tuesday afternoon. The loss for Rutgers puts them into the Tuesday schedule. The best the Knights could do now would be 8-10, which would change their seed, but not get them into a bye and a day off in New York. Rutgers closes with Louisville and WVU at home before road trips to DePaul and Providence.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 93
Providence Friars 81
OVERTIME
Cincinnati one again wins the games they are supposed to win and taking advantage of their schedule. The Bearcats could possibly claim a bye in the BET yet only 2 wins they have are to teams at .500 or better in the conference (St. John’s and Louisville). The Bearcats will earn it if they do get that bye though with 4 tough games remaining. A home-and-home with Georgetown on top of hosting UCONN and traveling to Marquette. Providence clinched a Tuesday time slot with the loss.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES 73
Seton Hall Pirates 64
I once again don’t know what to say about Marquette. They are the definition of average, right down to their 7-7 record. Right now, that won’t cut it if you want a bye on Tuesday in New York. The Eagles do have 3 winnable games down the stretch after going to Connecticut Thursday. I think they will probably have to be above average the last 2 weeks to get that last bye, but their schedule says they could do it. After that UCONN game Marquette has Providence and Cincy at home before a return trip to Seton Hall. As for those Pirates, it looks like their ship has sailed. I guess technically they could still get a bye, but they need TONS of help on top of winning out their final 3 games. I’m not even going to get into detail what they would need to happen until they win 1 or 2 games.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-2
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-4
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 10-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
St. John’s Red Storm 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Louisville Cardinals 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
Syracuse Orange 9-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
West Virginia Mountaineers 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Cincinnati Bearcats 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 7-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-11
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-13
Remaining Schedule:
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Syracuse @ Villanova 7:00 pm, ESPN
NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES THIS WEEK:
Thursday - Marquette @ Connecticut 7:00 pm, ESPN2
Thursday - West Virginia @ Pitt 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Syracuse @ Georgetown NOON, CBS
Saturday - St. John’s @ Villanova 2:30, ESPN
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – Connecticut
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – West Virginia
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Louisville
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – St. John’s
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
Friday, February 18, 2011
2-18 BETology
Due to the fact that I am in Florida on vacation and the fact that both DePaul and Providence stink, I did not update after that game Thursday night, and hopefully none of you were stuck watching it either. Here is a look back at the last 2 nights in the best conference in basketball.
THURSDAY’S RECAP:
DEPAUL BLUE DEMONS 79
Providence Friars 76
This is a game that would give ESPN 2nd thoughts about agreeing to broadcasts rights for the Big East Conference. In the conference’s contract agreements with ESPN they state that each team must be on ESPN/ESPN2 a certain number of times. ESPN sucked it up and put them on together to killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Can’t say that I disagree with that strategy actually. Anyway, DePaul wins their first game in 25 attempts in Big East play. Providence drops to 3-10 in conference play and makes themselves a solid 14 seed.
FRIDAY’S RECAP:
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS 71
Connecticut Huskies 58
The complete opposite of scheduling for ESPN on this one. ESPN normally has the NBA on Friday nights, but with this being NBA All-Star Weekend, they had a void in their schedule and put on a elite caliber match-up from the best conference in the country. Another smart move by ESPN scheduling. This game matched up the 4 and 7 seeds in the conference coming in, both with identical records of 8-5. Louisville kind of gets a little breathing room from that large clump behind them with the win last night. The Cards are now tied with Georgetown in the 3-4 spot, both would secure a double bye as of right now. Louisville is sitting pretty at holding on to that spot too, as they have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way out. Still on the schedule for Louisville is road games at Rutgers and WVU as well as home games versus Providence and Pitt. The loss hurts UCONN because they are now behind a group of 4 fighting for that double bye. They are also with another group of 4 within one half game of dropping all the way to the 10 seed, which plays on the opening day. UCONN also has a little tougher schedule to close, their final 4 games are road games at Cincinnati and WVU, and home games versus Marquette and Notre Dame. Notre Dame is obviously ahead of the Huskies in the standings and both Cincy and WVU sit just one half game behind. Marquette isn’t out of the running for a bye either, just one and a half games behind UCONN.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-1
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ St. John’s
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-3
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ West Virginia
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ South Florida
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Pitt
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ DePaul
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Syracuse Orange 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Rutgers
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
West Virginia Mountaineers 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Notre Dame
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
Cincinnati Bearcats 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Providence
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 6-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Seton Hall
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Marquette
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Syracuse
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Cincinnati
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Georgetown
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Villanova
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Villanova @ DePaul NOON, Regional TV
Pitt @ St. John’s NOON, ESPN
Notre Dame @ WVU 1:00 pm, CBS
Rutgers @ Syracuse 4:00 pm, Regional TV
Georgetown @ South Florida 7:00 pm, Regional TV
Cincinnati @ Providence 7:00 pm, ESPNU
Seton Hall @ Marquette 9:00 pm, Regional TV
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Connecticut
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
THURSDAY’S RECAP:
DEPAUL BLUE DEMONS 79
Providence Friars 76
This is a game that would give ESPN 2nd thoughts about agreeing to broadcasts rights for the Big East Conference. In the conference’s contract agreements with ESPN they state that each team must be on ESPN/ESPN2 a certain number of times. ESPN sucked it up and put them on together to killed 2 birds with 1 stone. Can’t say that I disagree with that strategy actually. Anyway, DePaul wins their first game in 25 attempts in Big East play. Providence drops to 3-10 in conference play and makes themselves a solid 14 seed.
FRIDAY’S RECAP:
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS 71
Connecticut Huskies 58
The complete opposite of scheduling for ESPN on this one. ESPN normally has the NBA on Friday nights, but with this being NBA All-Star Weekend, they had a void in their schedule and put on a elite caliber match-up from the best conference in the country. Another smart move by ESPN scheduling. This game matched up the 4 and 7 seeds in the conference coming in, both with identical records of 8-5. Louisville kind of gets a little breathing room from that large clump behind them with the win last night. The Cards are now tied with Georgetown in the 3-4 spot, both would secure a double bye as of right now. Louisville is sitting pretty at holding on to that spot too, as they have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way out. Still on the schedule for Louisville is road games at Rutgers and WVU as well as home games versus Providence and Pitt. The loss hurts UCONN because they are now behind a group of 4 fighting for that double bye. They are also with another group of 4 within one half game of dropping all the way to the 10 seed, which plays on the opening day. UCONN also has a little tougher schedule to close, their final 4 games are road games at Cincinnati and WVU, and home games versus Marquette and Notre Dame. Notre Dame is obviously ahead of the Huskies in the standings and both Cincy and WVU sit just one half game behind. Marquette isn’t out of the running for a bye either, just one and a half games behind UCONN.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-1
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ St. John’s
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-3
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ West Virginia
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ South Florida
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Pitt
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ DePaul
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
Syracuse Orange 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Rutgers
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
UCONN Huskies 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
West Virginia Mountaineers 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Notre Dame
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
Cincinnati Bearcats 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Providence
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 6-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Seton Hall
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Marquette
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Syracuse
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-10
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Cincinnati
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Georgetown
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 1-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Villanova
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
Villanova @ DePaul NOON, Regional TV
Pitt @ St. John’s NOON, ESPN
Notre Dame @ WVU 1:00 pm, CBS
Rutgers @ Syracuse 4:00 pm, Regional TV
Georgetown @ South Florida 7:00 pm, Regional TV
Cincinnati @ Providence 7:00 pm, ESPNU
Seton Hall @ Marquette 9:00 pm, Regional TV
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Connecticut
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2-17 BETology
Just when you think that things are starting to sort themselves out in the Big East we have a day like yesterday that shakes things up again. I’m not sure you can call UCONN winning at home against Georgetown an upset, but Louisville losing to Cincinnati certainly is an upset. Let’s take a better look at what happened last night.
WEDNESDAY’S RECAP:
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES 68
Georgetown Hoyas 60
Kemba Walker picked a great time to end his shooting struggles. Walker had been shooting just over 30% from the field since mid-January, but went off for 31 points last night, he also added 10 assists to get his teammates involved. The Huskies entered this game the 7 seed in the conference against the red hot Hoyas, who have won 8 straight and came in in 3rd place. UCONN has now won 2 straight and 3 of 4 in the conference and this win brings them into a 4-way tie for the 4th and final double bye spot in the BET. Georgetown, despite this loss, remains in 3rd place in the conference, but now have little room for mistake. The Hoyas hold a half game lead over that group of 4 in 4th place. Georgetown has only 4 games remaining, all of which are very winnable. They still play Cincinnati twice, as well as a road game in South Florida and hosting Syracuse. Connecticut has a much tougher schedule down the stretch, as they still have 5 games, 3 of which are on the road.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 63
Louisville Cardinals 54
The Bearcats needed this win big time. Having lost 3 of 4 games before last nights victory Cincinnati was heading the wrong direction at the wrong time. Beating rival Louisville maybe be just what they needed to get them kick started down this closing stretch. With 5 games remaining, Cincy has 3 on the road and only the game at Providence would be one they might be favored to win. The others should be 4 battles, that I would think the Bearcats need to win 3 of 4 if they want to make the NCAA Tournament. As for the Big East Tournament, Cincy is one of 7 teams all within 1 game of each other ranging from 4th place to 10th place. For Louisville this loss drops them into that group as well. The Cardinals had been playing as well as any team in the conference and worked their way up to the 4th spot in the standings. Now they share that 4th spot with 3 other teams. Louisville has a very manageable schedule in their last 5 games. Their toughest 2 games remaining are home games, against UCONN and Pitt.
PITT PANTHERS 67
South Florida Bulls 55
This is the only game from the schedule that went as many expected last night, and that isn’t even entirely true. Yes Pitt won, but many would have thought they would have won more convincingly being that they were back at home. Then again, the Panthers were playing their 3rd straight game without leading scorer Ashton Gibbs and this game kind of set up as a trap game being the lone home game in a tough 4 game stretch. Pitt now holds a 2 game lead over the rest of the conference at this point, with just 5 games remaining. South Florida has now lost 5 straight and have all but wrapped up a date in The Garden on opening day of the tournament. The Bulls do have some winnable games remaining and could change their seeding, but most likely won’t be able to do enough to avoid that Tuesday game. USF plays Georgetown and Pitt, but both at home as well as road games against DePaul and St. John’s.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-1
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ St. John’s
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-3
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ West Virginia
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ South Florida
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/18 vs Connecticut
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Pitt
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ DePaul
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
UCONN Huskies 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/18 @ Louisville
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Syracuse Orange 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Rutgers
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
West Virginia Mountaineers 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Notre Dame
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
Cincinnati Bearcats 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Providence
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 6-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Seton Hall
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Marquette
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Syracuse
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/17 vs DePaul
2/19 vs Cincinnati
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/16 @ Pitt
2/19 vs Georgetown
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 0-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/17 @ Providence
2/19 vs Villanova
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
DePaul @ Providence 9:00 pm, ESPN2
THIS WEEKS GAMES ON TV:
Friday - Connecticut @ Louisville 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Pitt @ St. John’s NOON, ESPN
Saturday - Notre Dame @ WVU 1:00 pm, CBS
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Connecticut
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
WEDNESDAY’S RECAP:
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES 68
Georgetown Hoyas 60
Kemba Walker picked a great time to end his shooting struggles. Walker had been shooting just over 30% from the field since mid-January, but went off for 31 points last night, he also added 10 assists to get his teammates involved. The Huskies entered this game the 7 seed in the conference against the red hot Hoyas, who have won 8 straight and came in in 3rd place. UCONN has now won 2 straight and 3 of 4 in the conference and this win brings them into a 4-way tie for the 4th and final double bye spot in the BET. Georgetown, despite this loss, remains in 3rd place in the conference, but now have little room for mistake. The Hoyas hold a half game lead over that group of 4 in 4th place. Georgetown has only 4 games remaining, all of which are very winnable. They still play Cincinnati twice, as well as a road game in South Florida and hosting Syracuse. Connecticut has a much tougher schedule down the stretch, as they still have 5 games, 3 of which are on the road.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS 63
Louisville Cardinals 54
The Bearcats needed this win big time. Having lost 3 of 4 games before last nights victory Cincinnati was heading the wrong direction at the wrong time. Beating rival Louisville maybe be just what they needed to get them kick started down this closing stretch. With 5 games remaining, Cincy has 3 on the road and only the game at Providence would be one they might be favored to win. The others should be 4 battles, that I would think the Bearcats need to win 3 of 4 if they want to make the NCAA Tournament. As for the Big East Tournament, Cincy is one of 7 teams all within 1 game of each other ranging from 4th place to 10th place. For Louisville this loss drops them into that group as well. The Cardinals had been playing as well as any team in the conference and worked their way up to the 4th spot in the standings. Now they share that 4th spot with 3 other teams. Louisville has a very manageable schedule in their last 5 games. Their toughest 2 games remaining are home games, against UCONN and Pitt.
PITT PANTHERS 67
South Florida Bulls 55
This is the only game from the schedule that went as many expected last night, and that isn’t even entirely true. Yes Pitt won, but many would have thought they would have won more convincingly being that they were back at home. Then again, the Panthers were playing their 3rd straight game without leading scorer Ashton Gibbs and this game kind of set up as a trap game being the lone home game in a tough 4 game stretch. Pitt now holds a 2 game lead over the rest of the conference at this point, with just 5 games remaining. South Florida has now lost 5 straight and have all but wrapped up a date in The Garden on opening day of the tournament. The Bulls do have some winnable games remaining and could change their seeding, but most likely won’t be able to do enough to avoid that Tuesday game. USF plays Georgetown and Pitt, but both at home as well as road games against DePaul and St. John’s.
STANDINGS:
Big East Official Tie-Breaking formula
Pitt Panthers 12-1
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ St. John’s
2/24 vs West Virginia
2/27 @ Louisville
3/2 @ South Florida
3/5 vs Villanova
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-3
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ West Virginia
2/23 @ Providence
2/26 vs Seton Hall
2/28 vs Villanova
3/5 @ Connecticut
Georgetown Hoyas 9-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ South Florida
2/23 vs Cincinnati
2/26 vs Syracuse
3/5 @ Cincinnati
Louisville Cardinals 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/18 vs Connecticut
2/22 @ Rutgers
2/27 vs Pitt
3/2 vs Providence
3/5 @ West Virginia
St. John’s Red Storm 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Pitt
2/23 vs DePaul
2/26 @ Villanova
3/2 @ Seton Hall
3/5 vs South Florida
Villanova Wildcats 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ DePaul
2/21 vs Syracuse
2/26 vs St. John’s
2/28 @ Notre Dame
3/5 @ Pitt
UCONN Huskies 8-5
Remaining Schedule:
2/18 @ Louisville
2/24 vs Marquette
2/27@ Cincinnati
3/2 @ West Virginia
3/5 vs Notre Dame
Syracuse Orange 8-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Rutgers
2/21 @ Villanova
2/26 @ Georgetown
3/5 vs DePaul
West Virginia Mountaineers 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Notre Dame
2/24 @ Pitt
2/27 @ Rutgers
3/2 vs Connecticut
3/5 vs Louisville
Cincinnati Bearcats 7-6
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Providence
2/23 @ Georgetown
2/27 vs Connecticut
3/2 @ Marquette
3/5 vs Georgetown
Marquette Golden Eagles 6-7
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 vs Seton Hall
2/24 @ Connecticut
2/27 vs Providence
3/2 vs Cincinnati
3/5 @ Seton Hall
Seton Hall Pirates 5-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Marquette
2/26 @ Notre Dame
3/3 vs St. John’s
3/5 vs Marquette
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 4-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/19 @ Syracuse
2/22 vs Louisville
2/27 vs West Virginia
3/2 @ DePaul
3/5 @ Providence
Providence Friars 3-9
Remaining Schedule:
2/17 vs DePaul
2/19 vs Cincinnati
2/23 vs Notre Dame
2/27 @ Marquette
3/2 @ Louisville
3/5 vs Rutgers
South Florida Bulls 2-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/16 @ Pitt
2/19 vs Georgetown
2/26 @ DePaul
3/2 vs Pitt
3/5 @ St. John’s
DePaul Blue Demons 0-12
Remaining Schedule:
2/17 @ Providence
2/19 vs Villanova
2/23 @ St. John’s
2/26 vs South Florida
3/2 vs Rutgers
3/5 @ Syracuse
TODAY:
DePaul @ Providence 9:00 pm, ESPN2
THIS WEEKS GAMES ON TV:
Friday - Connecticut @ Louisville 9:00 pm, ESPN
Saturday - Pitt @ St. John’s NOON, ESPN
Saturday - Notre Dame @ WVU 1:00 pm, CBS
BETology:
TUESDAY
March 8th:
NOON
9 – West Virginia
Vs
16 - DePaul
2:00
12 – Seton Hall
Vs
13 – Rutgers
7:00
10 – Cincinnati
Vs
15 – South Florida
9:00
11 – Marquette
Vs
14 – Providence
WEDNESDAY
March 9th:
NOON
8 – Syracuse
Vs
Tuesday NOON winner
2:00
5 - St. John’s
Vs
Tuesday 2:00 winner
7:00
7 – Connecticut
Vs
Tuesday 7:00 winner
9:00
6 – Villanova
Vs
Tuesday 9:00 winner
THURSDAY
March 10th:
NOON
1 - Pitt
Vs
Wednesday NOON winner
2:00
4 – Louisville
Vs
Wednesday 2:00 winner
7:00
2 – Notre Dame
Vs
Wednesday 7:00 winner
9:00
3 – Georgetown
Vs
Wednesday 9:00 winner
Check back tomorrow for another update!
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