Breaking Down the BIG EAST Tournament

[Skinsfan]

FIRST ROUND
Wednesday, March 7
Game 1: No. 8 DePaul vs. No. 9 Villanova (Noon)
Despite losing to Depaul earlier this year, Novas in your face pressure and defense will get them a hard fought win against Depaul.

Game 2: No. 5 Syracuse vs. No. 12 Connecticut (*2 p.m.)
The Cuse made a nice run in February, and should be able to count on that momentum to help them in the tourny. Regardless, UConn is not a very good basketball team. Their 7'3" center is useless, and will be even more worthless against Cuse's zone defense. Cuse wins easily.

Game 3: No. 7 West Virginia vs. No. 10 Providence (7 p.m.)
Providence lost all hope of squeeking into the field of 65 when they got worked over by St John's this weekend. Providence will roll over and die in the first half against WVA. Mountaineers win big.

Game 4: No. 6 Marquette vs. No. 11 St. John's (*9 p.m.)
Marquette is coming off a huge win against Pitt, and should be able to beat St. John's. Pretty much a home game for St. Johns, so this game could be much closer than people think.


QUARTERFINALS
Thursday, March 8
Game 5: No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 9 Villanova (Noon)
Two good defenses battling it out. I suspect this game will go down very similar to the two regular season meetings: a close low scoring game. GTown will get the close win on account of the talent differences, but it will not be easy.

Game 6: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 5 Syracuse (*2 p.m.)
This should be a fun game to watch, with lots of points. Both teams finished the season strong. Could be a coin flip, but I trust the Cuse and their momo more in this spot, and they should win this high scoring contest.

Game 7: No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 7 West Virginia (7 p.m.)
Louisville is one of the hotter teams in the nation. Won't be much of a contest. Louisville handles the mountaineers handily.

Game 8: No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. No. 6 Marquette (*9 p.m.)
Tough one to call here. Pitt *should* be thinking about revenge. Pitt is the more talented team, and I don't see them losing their first game. Close game, with Pitt coming out on top.


SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 9
Game 9: No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 5 Syracuse 7 p.m.)
Rematch between rivals. Cuse rolled a week ago against the Hoyas. But to be fair, Gtown had 1 day off (stuck in doors during a snow storm) after whopping up on Pitt. They were still hung over or even still hammered. GTown really couldn't care less about the game at Cuse. Things will be different this time. There really is no comparison between these two teams. GTown is better in all phases of the game, and they will actually be motivated to play. Green and Sapp will destroy the Cuse zone, and Hibbert will feast on the boards all night long. Hoyas by 25.

Game 10: No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. No. 2 Louisville (*9 p.m.)
Pitt comes out of its shell in the semis. Too much talent on this Pitt team to not be able to handle Louisville. 10 point victory for Pitt.


CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 10
Game 11: No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh (ESPN, 9 p.m.)
Should be a GREAT game for the first 10-15 minutes. Then Georgetown will remove all doubt about who the best team in the country is. Gray is a pussy and will probably quit at halftime. Georgetown wins by 30, maybe 40 points... Really no reason to watch this game unless A) You are a Gtown fan or B) You want to watch the eventual national champion Hoyas win their conference.


*Approximate game times

[joepa66]

Great stuff Skins....thanks for giving us the "what for" on that stuff....GL

[BUNK MORELAND]

Two freshman Caracter and Sosa have been playing very well... Pitino has done a great job this year with his team

[wsox08]

let's get some more big east talk going.

[CuseFan10]

I think Villanova is capable of making a strong run, and will beat DePaul and give Georgetown all they can handle. If Syracuse gets past an improving UConn squad, I think they beat Notre DAME as well. Syracuse always plays great at the Garden. Marquette should handle St Johns, but it will be close, and I like Providence to take down West Virginia.

[BUNK MORELAND]

I didn't think their non conference slate was that impressive


northwood
x
iowa- did bomb them in iowa
navy
penn
oklah
drexel
rider
lasalle
temple
TEXAS - very good win
st joes

West Virginia is the team here that needs a win bad ... I expect Beilen to have this team ready ... I agree WVU rolls against PROVIDENCE ...

[joepa66]

Syracuse has the best of the seeding IMO and they clearly have a shot at making it to a matchup with G-town in the semis.....and if G can get past Nova their toughest test of the tourney then they will win it all....however, i expect Cuse to give them closer than expected game cause Boeheim and his boys won't go away quietly....where the clear advantage is for the Hoyas is against Devendorf and the Cuse guards!

[BUNK MORELAND]

Long , athletic wing players in Summers and Jeff Green
and good guards with Wallace and Sapp who can hit the "3" .. Wallace is also a great free throw shooter

not even mentioning THE BIG MAN HIBBERT ...

[Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by williwonka05

Long , athletic wing players in Summers and Jeff Green
and good guards with Wallace and Sapp who can hit the "3" .. Wallace is also a great free throw shooter

not even mentioning THE BIG MAN HIBBERT ...

Obvious Final 4 team here.

[CuseFan10]

Originally Posted by joepa66

Syracuse has the best of the seeding IMO and they clearly have a shot at making it to a matchup with G-town in the semis.....and if G can get past Nova their toughest test of the tourney then they will win it all....however, i expect Cuse to give them closer than expected game cause Boeheim and his boys won't go away quietly....where the clear advantage is for the Hoyas is against Devendorf and the Cuse guards!

I'm not feeling easy about Syracuse vs UConn. Dyson has really emerged for UConn and I don't think that will be an easy game at all.

Also, on an injury note, St Johns SR Lamont Hamilton is done for the year with a knee injury. Sad note to end his career on.

[Stifler's Mom]

I don't think West Virginia is very a good team. Maybe in a few years again, but not right now. They're riding the public's high from what they saw out of the prior teams from the last few years with Pittsnogle and company IMO, and they've been a super fade this year because of it. Hell, some of the Joe Q's probably don't even know all those guys aren't even on the team anymore, LOL.

I like Nova's chances. I think they're a good team....but I do agree that G'town easily seems to be the best team in the conference.

Then again, G'town is obviously IN the big dance no matter what. Often times teams with that luxury seem to get a little soft during their conference tourney, and end up going down to one with everything to gain and nothing to lose....

[BUNK MORELAND]

Originally Posted by Stifler's Mom

I don't think West Virginia is very a good team. Maybe in a few years again, but not right now. They're riding the public's high from what they saw out of the prior teams from the last few years with Pittsnogle and company IMO, and they've been a super fade this year because of it. Hell, some of the Joe Q's probably don't even know all those guys aren't even on the team anymore, LOL.

I like Nova's chances. I think they're a good team....but I do agree that G'town easily seems to be the best team in the conference.

Then again, G'town is obviously IN the big dance no matter what. Often times teams with that luxury seem to get a little soft during their conference tourney, and end up going down to one with everything to gain and nothing to lose....

The Eers are def. not what they were in the past, what scares me about them is the AMOUNT OF 3 BALLS THEY FIRE UP. They shoot so many , if they are hot they are dangerous.

Nova lost two much talent IMO , to rebuild that fast . They are good, SUMPTER is a real good player IMO , i'm not crazy about their backcourt though.

[PhillyFan3]

WILLI --- in regards to NOVA
I have watched probably every single one of their games this year and they did lose susbstantial talent from last year, but Jay Wright is one of the best coache s/recruiters in this country and he has the ability to get the best out of his players and he really did that this year rebounding after losing their 3 NBA draft picks... the back-court is the reason NOVA is going to be in the tournament... SCOTTIE REYNOLDS has been an absolute lights out gaurd who can shoot his ass off and he has great speed, and the other guy Mike Nardi has been starting/six man for four straight years and he brings leadership, key threes, and can handle the pressure...and those Nova teams have been dynamite those seasons as they have been this year...SUMPTER will come up big time in March, he has only played 1 NCAA tourney game in the last 3 years, this guy is going to be hungry for the BE tournament as well as the BIG DANCE..Im really excited for this Nova team and their March Madness dreams......

AS for the tourney.... Nova, CUse, WVU, and Marq... win
Nova, Cuse, LVIlle, Pitt--
then Nova vs Pitt
Pitt -- they are great in the garden and if they run into Nova their size carries them over the Cats...thats what I foresee... should be a great tourney

I think GTOWN has letdown in Big East tourney, but come tourney time if they get the right draw they are going to be a very dangerous team, Jeff Green wow!! This GTOWN team gave FLA its toughest match last year in the tourney so we'll see...

CUSE-- I think UCONN/SYRA is going to be a very competitive first round match ...UCONN looked pretty good when I saw them play NOVA in STORRS, a young team with nothing to lose and a great coach is never an easy draw

[BUNK MORELAND]

What is the word in Philly about Jay Wright being offered the SIXER job ?

[PhillyFan3]

willi ---
I really hope he doesnt take that job, he has done so much for NOVA, we cant take another LAPPAS ERA here...I persoanlly feel Mo CHeeks has done a pretty good job with a ****ty Sixers squad and he has been stuck with a terrible team for 2 years now ... Hopefully if they get a new coach its LArry Brown, so Jay Wright stays around