Big East
Big East's teams, coaches and style of play.
Leave it to the Big East Tournament to open with a crucial game. Seems like this tourney always gives us an early glimpse of March Madness.
No. 8 seed Villanova plays ninth-seeded Syracuse at noon ET Thursday. The winner still has a shot at earning an NCAA Tournament bid. The loser is headed for the NIT. Talk about pressure.
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Call it a gift for Georgetown, call it a horrendous call for Villanova or just call it part of the game, all three would be correct.
A “nudge” from Villanova’s Corey Stokes sent Georgetown’s Jonathan Wallace – who was 70 feet from the basket – to the free-throw with less than a second to play and effectively gave the Hoyas a 55-53 win on Monday.
Make the call? Don’t make the call?
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One undefeated New England may have lost Sunday, but there’s another still standing. And it’s an awfully familiar unbeaten sight.
The UConn women’s team torched Providence on Saturday, setting up a showdown against Big East rival Rutgers on Tuesday. Rutgers beat the Huskies in the Big East Championship last season and was the conference representative in the Final Four, losing to Tennessee in the title game. Since then, the Huskies (21-0) have torn through the competition, winning all but one game by double-digit margins.
Of course, Memphis’ men’s team is no slouch either. It just takes me out of the New England theme…
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My prevailing thought during UConn's win against Louisville? Both teams look like a 6 or 7 seed in the tourney. That's a nasty thought for any 2 or 3 seed.
Unless UConn or Louisville rip off a big winning streak, the best seed either squad will likely receive is 5, making both a dangerous second-round matchup for a Final Four hopeful.
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Guess Pitt missed the memo about writing off this season.
For the last few weeks, the Panthers have heard about how tough their season will be without starters Mike Cook and Levance Fields. But a 69-60 win against No. 5 Georgetown should silence any remaining doubters and reestablish Pitt as a Final Four contender.
It’s amazing what a few weeks, a good coach and lots of talent will do.
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Nothing like a victory milestone to prompt stories about the coach involved. Then again, who needs an excuse when it’s Rick Pitino?
The Louisville coach could earn his 500th career win on Saturday, a nice round coaching milestone any way you slice it.
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