The Big East This Week

Jae Crowder has Marquette playing at a high level right now

It was a week in which the top teams beat up on the bottom dwellers

By Shane McCarthy on February 20, 2012 

Notable games this week:

Syracuse @ UConn on Saturday – UConn will need this win as they haven’t done much in the Big East.

Marquette @ West Virginia on Saturday – West Virginia is looking for another notable victory.

Georgetown @ Seton Hall on Tuesday – Seton Hall is floating on the bubble.

Providence @ Depaul on Saturday – Neither team wants to finish at the bottom of the conference.

#2 Syracuse Orange (14-1 / 27-1)

Last week:  WON 52-51 @ #18 Louisville, WON 74-64 @ Rutgers

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 vs South Florida; Sat, Feb 25 @ Connecticut

It has been a while since Syracuse has blown an opponent out, but they continue to win both at home and on the road.  The Orange also ended their seven game skid to the Louisville Cardinals.  The goal now is to fine-tune some aspects of their game and maintain a #1 seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

#10 Marquette Golden Eagles (11-3 / 22-5)

Last week:  WON 79-64 @ Connecticut  

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 vs Rutgers; Fri, Feb 24 @ West Virginia

Marquette has shown time and time again that they are one of the hardest working teams in the country and they showed that again at Connecticut this past week.  They’ll get another decent test this week on the road at a desperate West Virginia team. 

#18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-3 / 19-8)

Last week:  WON 71-53 vs Rutgers, WON 74-70 OT @ Villanova

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 vs West Virginia; Sat, Feb 27 @ St. John’s

The Fighting Irish have not lost since they knocked off the then #1 Orange on January 21^st – reeling off eight straight wins.  For a team that struggled in non-conference play, they couldn’t have picked a better time to get hot.

#8 Georgetown Hoyas (10-4 / 20-5)

Last week:  WON 63-53 @ Providence,  

This week:  Tue, Feb 21 @ Seton Hall; Sat, Feb 25 vs Villanova

It seems like Georgetown has not gotten that much publicity this year, but they keep chugging along.  They’ll be traveling to a desperate Seton Hall team on Tuesday who is seriously flirting with the bubble. 

South Florida Bulls (10-4 / 17-10)

Last week:  WON 65-51 vs Villanova, WON 56-47 @ Pittsburgh

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 @ Syracuse; Sun, Feb 26 vs Cincinnati

A win at Syracuse on Wednesday could almost but cement South Florida in the NCAA Tournament.  Otherwise they will probably need a notable win or two in the Big East Tournament. 

#17 Louisville Cardinals (9-5 / 21-6)

Last week:  LOSS 52-51 vs Syracuse, WON 90-82 OT @ DePaul

This week:  Thu, Feb 23 @ Cincinnati; Sun Feb 26 vs Pittsburgh

Louisville didn’t play to the best of their ability against Syracuse this past week and still should have won the game.  Nonetheless, this team can hang with the top dogs and will benefit getting out of conference play for the NCAA’s. 

Cincinnati Bearcats (9-5 / 19-8)

Last week:  WON 81-66 vs Providence, WON 62-57 vs Seton Hall

This week:  Thu, Feb 23 vs Louisville; Sun, Feb 26 @ South Florida

When flirting with the bubble it is important that you beat other bubble teams when the opportunity arises and that is just what Cincinnati did this past week against Seton Hall.  The Bearcats probably need to do a bit more work, and they will get that chance this week versus Louisville.

West Virginia Mountaineers (7-7 / 17-10)

Last week:  WON 66-48 @ Pittsburgh

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 @ Notre Dame; Fri, Feb 24 vs Marquette

Kevin Jones could potentially be the Big East Player of the Year, but if he wants to get back to the NCAA Tournament he is going to need to lead his team to victory over either Notre Dame or Marquette this week, preferably both.

Seton Hall Pirates (7-8 / 18-9)

Last week:  WON 94-64 vs St. John’s, LOSS 62-57 @ Cincinnati

This week:  Tue, Feb 21 vs Georgetown; Sat, Feb 25 vs Rutgers

Tough loss at Cincinnati this past week, but the Pirates get two home games this week to make up for it and more importantly, remain in the at-large talk.

Connecticut Huskies (6-8 / 16-10)

Last week:  WON 80-54 vs DePaul, LOSS 79-64 vs Marquette

This week:  Mon, Feb 20 @ Villanova; Sat, Feb 25 vs Syracuse

It looked like UConn was just about to turn the corner and start moving in the right direction when Ryan Boatright took that unnecessary technical foul.  The Huskies are still loaded with talent, and if they can start bringing some heart to the arena like Shabazz Napier has requested, they can pull this thing together. 

Pittsburgh Panthers (4-10 / 15-12)

Last week:  LOSS 66-48 vs West Virginia, LOSS 56-47 vs South Florida  

This week:  Sun, Feb 26 @ Louisville

It was just a few weeks ago when many thought that the Panthers would finish the season strong, make a push in the Big East Tournament, and get into the NCAA Tournament.  That all but came to an end last night with South Florida putting a fork in them.  It will now take a deep run in the Big East Tournament and more likely winning it to get an automatic bid. 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-10 / 12-15)

Last week:  LOSS 71-53 @ Notre Dame, LOSS 74-64 vs Syracuse

This week:  Wed, Feb 22 @ Marquette; Sat, Feb 25 @ Seton Hall

The Scarlet Knights have been a tough out at home all season, as they displayed again yesterday against ‘Cuse. 

Villanova Wildcats (4-10 / 11-15)

Last week:  LOSS 65-51 @ South Florida, LOSS 74-70 OT vs Notre Dame

This week:  Mon, Feb 20 vs Connecticut; Sat, Feb 25 @ Georgetown

The tough season for the Wildcats continues after losing in overtime to Notre Dame on Saturday night at home.  They will be looking to finish off an erratic UConn team on Monday night. 

St. John’s Red Storm (4-10 / 11-16)

Last week:  LOSS 94-64 @ Seton Hall, WON 66-63 vs UCLA

This week:  Mon, Feb 20 vs DePaul; Sat, Feb 25 vs Notre Dame

St. John’s got a nice win on national television at home versus UCLA on Saturday afternoon.  They are a young team and will be looking to feed off that to finish the season strong.

DePaul Blue Demons (2-12 / 11-15)

Last week:  LOSS 80-54 @ Connecticut, LOSS 90-82 OT vs Louisville

This week:  Mon, Feb 20 @ St. John’s; Sat, Feb 25 vs Providence

This team isn’t giving up just yet, as their fight was on display Saturday afternoon when they took Louisville to overtime.

Providence Friars (2-13 / 13-15)

Last week:  LOSS 81-66 @ Cincinnati, LOSS 63-53 vs Georgetown  

This week:  Sat, Feb 25 @ DePaul

Losing nine of their last 10, the Friars will be looking to finish their season on any sort of positive.  

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