Posted on: January 24, 2008 12:34 am
Villanova Falling Fast?
Despite beating Pittsburgh on their home court, Villanova is now 13-4 (3-3) and 1-3 on the road in conference. With losses to Cincinnati, DePaul, and now Rutgers, 'Nova is on the verge of hitting the dreaded NCAA tournament bubble. Despite the great, yet streaky, play of freshman Malcolm Grant, both Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher have rarely shown flashes to merit their 5 star rating before the season. Villanova rests at 24th in the RPI which is strange with such bad losses and a SOS in the 100s. 2006's National Coach of the Year, Jay Wright needs to turn things around quickly before things spiral downwards for the Wildcats who still has games on the road against #13 Pittsburgh, #9 Georgetown, Louisville, and Providence. Without any quality wins the Wildcats may find themselves struggling to get a bid this year.
Category: General
Posted on: January 17, 2008 1:11 am
1/17/08 Big East Power Rankings
1t. Marquette (13-2, 3-1): Despite a loss to West Virginia, Marquette has proven that they have the best guard play in the Big East, and despite a road blow out (its nearly impossible to win on the road in conference, especially at WVU) they have shown the flashes of talent needed to end atop the conference come March.
1t. Pittsburgh (15-2, 3-1): Despite a loss to Villanova, while still in recovery from the loss of two starters, the Panthers have now shown they haven't missed a beat with a dominant 69-60 victory over Georgetown, a game in which they never trailed. With a favorable schedule ahead of them the Panthers could receive starting Point Guard Levance Fields back with only 2 or 3 conference defeats, if accomplished the Panthers could be well on their way to a conference championship.
3. Georgetown (13-2, 3-1):After a gut wrenching loss to in-conference rival Pittsburgh, Georgetown falls as the last unbeaten team in the conference. Without the explosiveness of Jeff Green and the inability to come from behind, it appears the Hoyas may not be the conference champion lock that many had seen them as in the pre-season.
4. Louisville (12-4, 2-1): A team that was written off by many after losing David Padgett and Juan Palacios at the beginning of this season, the Cardinals are back at full strength and with wins over Kentucky on the road and West Virginia at home, the Cardinals appear ready to preform honorably in Big East conference play.
5. Notre Dame (13-3, 3-1): Notre Dame holds the longest home winning streak in the Big East, but the main question surrounding this team is their ability to win on the road, losing to Marquette 92-66 on the road.
6. West Virginia (12-4, 2-2): West Virginia has been a tale of two teams, looking very strong when playing at home, but very poor when playing on the road. They hold a 15 point drubbing of Marquette at home but lost by 14 on the road against Notre Dame.
7. Connecticut (11-4, 2-2): A growing team that is still very young, the Huskies have shown flashes of greatness, in almost beating GTown last week, but with turnover issues and a lack of team stability they are a shaky choice in the Big East this season.
8. Syracuse(12-5, 2-2): A very young team, brought on by injuries to starters Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, the Orange have responded strong some games, and very week in others. With 4 freshmen receiving large amounts of playing time, the Orange should develop into a tournament bound team by the end of the season.
9. Villanova (12-3, 2-2): The Wildcats have not been playing well as of late, with losses to DePaul and Cincinnati. Despite a win over Pitt, the Wildcats struggled at home against the Blue Demons again tonight shaking my faith in their ability to beat opponents on the road. With losses to Cinci, DePaul, and NC State more than 8 losses could keep this team out of the tournament.
10. Providence (11-5, 2-2): A strong team at the beginning of the season, injuries have really hampered the Friars hopes of winning the Big East and perhaps making post-season play.
11. Cincinnati (8-9, 3-2): Despite a winning Big East Record, the Bearcats will once again have trouble making post season play.
12. DePaul (7-9, 3-2): Same boat as Cincinnati.
13. Seton Hall (10-6, 0-3): Looked to be a possible dark horse coming into conference play, but with losses in all 3 of their opening games, the Pirates have quickly fallen off the map.
14. South Florida (10-7, 1-3): With young players such as Dominique Jones, the Bulls should be good in the near future, but not this year.
15. St. John's (7-8, 1-3): Recruiting woes in Basketball Mecca have led to St. John's position as a Big East bottom dweller, and nothing is going to change this year.
16 . Rutgers (8-9, 0-4): Rutgers is once again a low level Big East team, this is not their year to compete in conference.
Tournament Teams (8): Marquette, Pitt, GTown, WVU, ND, UCONN, Louisville, Nova
Bubble: Syracuse
Player of the Week: DeJuan Blair/Antonio Pena- Blair posted 15 points and 9 rebounds, while eliminating Roy Hibbert on offense in a 69-60 win over Georgetown. Pena was key in launching a comeback from a 16 point first half deficit against DePaul to win 71-65 and save their Conference Title Hopes.
1t. Pittsburgh (15-2, 3-1): Despite a loss to Villanova, while still in recovery from the loss of two starters, the Panthers have now shown they haven't missed a beat with a dominant 69-60 victory over Georgetown, a game in which they never trailed. With a favorable schedule ahead of them the Panthers could receive starting Point Guard Levance Fields back with only 2 or 3 conference defeats, if accomplished the Panthers could be well on their way to a conference championship.
3. Georgetown (13-2, 3-1):After a gut wrenching loss to in-conference rival Pittsburgh, Georgetown falls as the last unbeaten team in the conference. Without the explosiveness of Jeff Green and the inability to come from behind, it appears the Hoyas may not be the conference champion lock that many had seen them as in the pre-season.
4. Louisville (12-4, 2-1): A team that was written off by many after losing David Padgett and Juan Palacios at the beginning of this season, the Cardinals are back at full strength and with wins over Kentucky on the road and West Virginia at home, the Cardinals appear ready to preform honorably in Big East conference play.
5. Notre Dame (13-3, 3-1): Notre Dame holds the longest home winning streak in the Big East, but the main question surrounding this team is their ability to win on the road, losing to Marquette 92-66 on the road.
6. West Virginia (12-4, 2-2): West Virginia has been a tale of two teams, looking very strong when playing at home, but very poor when playing on the road. They hold a 15 point drubbing of Marquette at home but lost by 14 on the road against Notre Dame.
7. Connecticut (11-4, 2-2): A growing team that is still very young, the Huskies have shown flashes of greatness, in almost beating GTown last week, but with turnover issues and a lack of team stability they are a shaky choice in the Big East this season.
8. Syracuse(12-5, 2-2): A very young team, brought on by injuries to starters Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins, the Orange have responded strong some games, and very week in others. With 4 freshmen receiving large amounts of playing time, the Orange should develop into a tournament bound team by the end of the season.
9. Villanova (12-3, 2-2): The Wildcats have not been playing well as of late, with losses to DePaul and Cincinnati. Despite a win over Pitt, the Wildcats struggled at home against the Blue Demons again tonight shaking my faith in their ability to beat opponents on the road. With losses to Cinci, DePaul, and NC State more than 8 losses could keep this team out of the tournament.
10. Providence (11-5, 2-2): A strong team at the beginning of the season, injuries have really hampered the Friars hopes of winning the Big East and perhaps making post-season play.
11. Cincinnati (8-9, 3-2): Despite a winning Big East Record, the Bearcats will once again have trouble making post season play.
12. DePaul (7-9, 3-2): Same boat as Cincinnati.
13. Seton Hall (10-6, 0-3): Looked to be a possible dark horse coming into conference play, but with losses in all 3 of their opening games, the Pirates have quickly fallen off the map.
14. South Florida (10-7, 1-3): With young players such as Dominique Jones, the Bulls should be good in the near future, but not this year.
15. St. John's (7-8, 1-3): Recruiting woes in Basketball Mecca have led to St. John's position as a Big East bottom dweller, and nothing is going to change this year.
16 . Rutgers (8-9, 0-4): Rutgers is once again a low level Big East team, this is not their year to compete in conference.
Tournament Teams (8): Marquette, Pitt, GTown, WVU, ND, UCONN, Louisville, Nova
Bubble: Syracuse
Player of the Week: DeJuan Blair/Antonio Pena- Blair posted 15 points and 9 rebounds, while eliminating Roy Hibbert on offense in a 69-60 win over Georgetown. Pena was key in launching a comeback from a 16 point first half deficit against DePaul to win 71-65 and save their Conference Title Hopes.
Category: General
