Big East Bubble Season Part 2

 

Cincinnati's NCAA hopes are flying high after a critical win at Georgetown.

Photo courtesy ESPN.

This time last week there were several Big East teams who were looking to jump off the bubble and into the “lock” status for an NCAA tournament bid. At least one of those teams has accomplished this feat, as St. John’s heart-stopping last second victory over Pittsburgh surely put them over the top. West Virginia also recorded a much needed victory over streaking Notre Dame, and Cincinnati scored their first major road victory of the season. But where do these teams and another in Marquette fall in this week’s Bubble review? Let’s find out!

BIG EAST LOCKS: Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Villanova, Syracuse, Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut, St. John’s

ON THE BUBBLE:

Cincinnati (22-6, 9-6) Current Big East standing: 8   Since start of February: (4-2) Last 10 games: (6-4)

RPI: 35  Strength of schedule: 83

Bubble Status: Almost a lock.

Just two weeks ago this was looking like another season all too familiar to Bearcat Nation. Cincinnati had performed admirably throughout the season and now were just going to close up shop and limp to the finish line…leaving their fans yearning for an elusive NCAA appearance. However, Mick Cronin has clearly instilled some energy in his group and the Bearcats have  a rather unusual three game winning streak in the Big East. Also, those wins aren’t just against the likes of Depaul or Providence (OK, one was against Providence in OT) but Cincinnati also took down Louisville at home and then absolutely stunned Georgetown in D.C. last night. Last evening’s road win is more than likely going to put this team in the Big Dance for the first time in years, but Cincy also has UConn and Georgetown coming to town. If the Bearcats can win either one of those games, or both, they will go from just getting in the tournament to a rather impressive seed (I’m thinking a 5 or 6) and that is all a Bearcat fan could ask for!

West Virginia (17-9, 8-6) Current Big East standing: T-8 Since start of February: (3-3) Last 10 games: (5-5)

RPI: 21  Strength of schedule: 4

Bubble Status: Almost a lock.

Following West Virginia’s loss at Syracuse, Coach Bob Huggins raged about his team’s inability to make shots. Who could blame him? The Mountaineers had reached 70 points only twice in their previous 10 games, but a return to Morgantown was all the struggling Eers would need. Huggins’ crew ousted No. 7 Notre Dame at home, 72-58, and nearly placed themselves in the NCAA tournament field. Like Cincinnati, the Mountaineers are currently “on the bubble” but if they make the tournament then expect a seed in the 5-7 range…it is the Big East after all. The last four games of the season will prove pivotal in the seeding process as WVU plays at Pittsburgh tonight, then travels to the scary RAC and finishes the season with home dates against UConn and Louisville. If the Mountaineers can go at least .500 in that stretch, look for this team to move into the “lock” status and staring down a high seed. Not bad for a “rebuilding” year.

Marquette (16-11, 7-7) Current Big East standing: 11   Since start of February: (2-3)  Last 10 games: (4-6)

RPI: 69  Strength of schedule: 31

Bubble Status: Squarely on the bubble.

This has been a frustrating year so far for the Marquette Golden Eagles. For one they don’t have a “bad loss” on their schedule (as we investigated last week), but they also have only two or three quality wins. Secondly, Marquette has found the sledding rather tough outside of Milwaukee as they have won only three games away from home (not exactly a figure the NCAA selection committee likes to look at). However, all is not lost, Marquette can still win a big road game tonight at UConn, and two of the last three are at home as well. I’m going to say that if the Golden Eagles can walk out of Connecticut with a victory, plus win at least two of their last three regular season games AND steal one game in the Big East Tourney…then Katy bar the door! The Big East sends 11 teams to the Big Dance!

Standings information courtesy ESPN.com, RPI and SOS courtesy WarrenNolan.com.

Statement Makers

 

Cuse, Pitt, and Nova stay unbeaten in the Big East.

Following Wednesday’s nationally televised Big East triple-header, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Villanova all staked their claims as leaders of the Big East race. ESPN promoted the evening for the better part of week, promising intense, bull-dog like action from some of the Big East’s most rugged teams. However, what college basketball nation was treated to was blowout after blowout as each of the higher ranked teams prevailed in their games.

No. 4 Syracuse 76 – St. John’s 59

The Syracuse Orange (17-0, 4-0) raced out to their second best start in school history behind Jim Boeheim’s stifling 2-3 zone and a balanced scoring attack. The ‘Cuse consistently got easy looks close to the basket with forwards Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph combining to go 14 of 17 from the floor . However, it wasn’t only the big guys that shut down the Red Storm (10-5, 3-2), the back court tandem of Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche tallied 29 points together and always seemed to get a jump shot or an assist when the Storm could least afford it. The always tough Big East road win puts Syracuse on top of the standings with a home date against one-loss Cincinnati on the horizon.

What about the loser?: While Boeheim had confidence his team would be special this season, (and after last night’s dominating performance who could blame him?) Steve Lavin had to know his team’s 8 game slate against ranked opponents was going to be a make or break stretch for his talented group. Unfortunately the “Green Mile” of St. John’s schedule has dealt the Storm a 1-2 record so far with the team still staring down 5 more nationally ranked opponents. The hot shooting that proved vital in wins at West Virginia and at home against Georgetown cooled off considerably and the Storm’s usually reliable post players Burrell, Kennedy, Brownlee, and Coker were held to a miserable 34% shooting percentage (10 for 29). Defensively, Lavin’s team forced 20 turnovers on the 4th ranked Orange but they also conceded 20 assists and could never really get back into the ball game after leading by 8 early. While St. John’s has been the feel good story of the Big East so far this season, outings like last night could turn Lavin’s glorious return to college basketball a bit sour.

No. 5 Pittsburgh 72 – No. 22 Georgetown 57

Pittsburgh heard the bark, but didn’t feel the bite. The Panthers (16-1, 4-0) enjoyed their largest Big East halftime lead in school history and held par in the second half to down the reeling Georgetown Hoyas (12-5, 1-4). The dismantling of the Hoyas was the second 15 point victory over a ranked Big East foe in 4 games and has the Panthers tied with Syracuse and Villanova at the top of the Big East. The story coming into the game focused on how John Thompson III’s squad would bounce back from a 1-3 record in Big East play, then the Panthers promptly bounced the Hoyas. Pittsburgh’s two headed monster of Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wannamaker tallied 39 points together with Gibbs claiming 22 of those points with five three-pointers and the Pitt guards kept Georgetown off-kilter all night with a 15-5 assist-to-turnover ratio.

What about the loser?: Clearly Thompson’s much heralded trio of Jason Clark, Austin Freeman, and Chris Wright are not getting the job done for the Hoyas. The Georgetown coach even questioned his players’ shot choices and mentality on the court after the Blue and Grey dropped their third game in a row and are now off to to their worst start in the Big East in over a decade. Unlike the team that beat Missouri and Memphis with smart guard play and big shots, the Hoyas look out-of-sync on the court with little to no leadership from experienced players like Freeman and Wright. While pandemonium hasn’t reached a fever pitch in Washington, D.C. just yet, if Georgetown drops one of its next three games against Rutgers, Seton Hall, or St. John’s things could get ugly.

No. 7 Villanova 88 – No. 17 Louisville 74

Jay Wright’s No. 7 ranked Wildcats (15-1, 4-0) continued their recent pounding of the Louisville Cardinals with a rather easy victory to extend their win streak to 10 games. Nova could have the best backcourt in the Big East outside of Connecticut and it showed last night. Wildcat guards Corey Stokes, Corey Fisher, and Maalik Wayns combined for 55 points and kept up their high-pressure, run and gun offense all night. Besides the guard play, the Wildcats got a big double-double from Mouphtaou Yarou with 18 points and 11 rebounds and punished Rick Pitino’s squad in the paint. This is just the kind of game Villanova needed before they travel to Syracuse and Georgetown next week.

What about the loser?: Of all the losers from Wednesday night, the Cardinals are in the best shape following their 14-point loss. Louisville was in the game until the last few minutes and was only down by 1 at halftime. However, Yarou’s constant rebuilding led to a 41-25 differential in favor of the Wildcats and the Cardinals couldn’t keep Nova’s shifty guards out of the paint as Villanova shot 16 more free throws than the Cards. The early departure of Samardo Samuels in the off-season and the lackluster play of big man Terrence Jennings has forced the Cards to play smaller than usual. And with no legitimate threat in the front court, Louisville could find themselves in a constant struggle throughout the Big East season to keep opponents out of the paint and off the boards. One bright spot for Pitino’s crew is this is only their first Big East loss and the Cardinals have a favorable schedule ahead with 3 home games and no ranked opponents in the next four games.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE:

Cincinnati (16-1, 3-1)  74  –  South Florida (6-12, 0-5) 66

Seton Hall (8-9, 2-3) 78    –  Depaul (6-10, 0-4) 67