by Doug Potter
If you turn on your TV and flip to your favorite show, you could watch a thriller, a sad depressing episode, a surprising bone-chiller, or an ugly display of skill on any given night. The same can be said for any Big East game this year. The conference is like a TV station and has a potpourri of effects on its audience. We can try to analyze what we see, but analyzing and attempting to make sense of it all can only confuse us even more. This past week was a very exciting week in the world of the Big East. With Selection Sunday only ten days away, the Big East has the potential to get nine or ten teams into the big dance, but that’s just a measly little word; potential. We do, however, learn many things from watching the competition in this top-of-the-notch conference. Here is a list of things that we did learn this past week in the Big East:
No Idea: At this point in the season, typically a “leader in the clubhouse” so to speak has emerged and we can easily identify the best team in a conference. Not the case this year. There are three teams in the Big East who are in the top ten in RPI (Louisville, Pitt, and UConn). The Cardinals and Huskies are tied for first in the conference (15-2) while many people can make the argument that the Panthers (14-3) have the best team. Any way you look at it, there’s no way we can truly identify the conferences’ best team at this time. Oh what a wonderful time the Big East Tournament will be.
Maybe Three: Selection Sunday is right around the corner, we all know this. Like always at this time of year, there are a great deal of questions we want answered. Enter: Joe Lunardi (who I swear works four weeks out of the year). As discussed above, the Big East has three powerful teams with very impressive resumes. Here’s a crazy possibility: the Big East could have three teams as No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. Don’t think so? Tell me why the struggling Oklahoma team who has lost three of four deserves a top seed. Tell me why the Memphis team who has a SOS of 51 will get one, or why Michigan State, who just beat Indiana, yes Indiana, by just 5 is worthy of the honor. I will painfully admit (very painfully) that a possible four-some as the number 1 seeds are UNC, two of the Big East teams, and Duke. Don’t look now but the Blue Devils are 25-5 with the 4th toughest schedule and the top RPI. With a victory over UNC on Sunday and/or an impressive performance in the ACC tourney, they should have a #1 seed locked up. I believe it’s a five team race for four spots as a number one seed. Let the games begin.
Five Crazy Nights: Okay, we already knew this, but the Big East Tournament is going to be five nights of crazy fun. We will have sixteen teams, all with different identities and backgrounds, but the same goal: an automatic-bid. The top eight teams will advance to the second round with the top four advancing to the quarterfinals. Madison Square Garden will be the site of this glorious event and ESPN will be the messenger to the world. This time of year brings out the best in everyone. It causes work rates to diminish, focus levels to go out the window, and high school kids to bring in their mini-televisions and watch discreetly during class (I swear have a little experience in the field). What a wonderful time of year.
Doug
How is the view from the tent?
I am all set for the five crazy days / nights. Will you be in NYC for any of the action?
I am still doubting Louisville. Samardo Samuels isn’t exactly a go-to presence in the post.
Doug, does ND have an ANY chance (in NYC or at the dance)?
Pete —
Let me offer an answer to your Q: The Irish will likely have to win 4 games in a row — St Johns’s tonight and then three games in the BE Tournament. The chances of this happening are probably 10-20% … in other words, a real looooooooong shot.
I don’t know if you’re a hockey fan, but ND’s chances for post season success are best on the ice. They are currently ranked #2 in the country and will start post-season play next week. They made it to the Frozen Four last year before losing the title game to B.C. They could easily make another run.
I predict the Big East will have two #1 seeds and a #2 seed for the Big Dance. It’s as simple as this … of the Big 3 (UConn, Pitt, Lou’ville) the one that loses first in the BE tournament will have to settle for the #2 seed.
I think your analysis sounds accurate Wally re BE bb. Last season’s loss on ice to BC was so disappointing considering the pre-tourney ranking (#1 I believe) and the dusting of BC (was it 7-2?) in the early season. Hope it’s redemption time for the Irish.
Lets just be happy the Irish are top notch at SOMETHING in men’s sports these days.
On another positive note, anyone else notice that Florida State … oops forgot, Free Shoes U, just received 4 years of probation and may have to forfeit 12-14 football games for widespread academic fraud in football and a number of other sports. When asked about this, Bobby Bumfuzzled Bowden replied ” I had no idea how some of my dummer players were gettin’ decent grades.”
It’s wonderful when the law finally catches up with the bumbling idiot criminals.