Bold, Fold and Gold Big East Picks...

Plenty to play for this week in the Big East Tournament--
Can Georgetown work its way up to a #1 seed? (they should have had one last year after their 65-42 dismembering of Pitt in the finals) Will Louisville or UConn avenge close losses to the Hoyas at Verizon on a neutral floor? Is Notre Dame and Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody for real? (the sophomore averaged a double double during the season but went 3-for 13 with 3 turnovers before fouling out against Roy Hibbert and Georgetown) And who takes the bubble-bursting 8 vs 9 game between Syracuse and Villanova? (the winner faces Georgetown in the quarterfinals) ...


Bold Pick-- Yes, Georgetown's the regular season champ and Louisville was the hottest team until Saturday's loss to the Hoyas, but UConn has quietly won 13 of 15 entering this week-- the most recent loss to Providence giving the Huskies enough anger to not overlook the winner of West Virginia and the Friars in the quarterfinals. Remember, this was a team that led Georgetown by six late at Verizon before being beaten by a Roy Hibbert 3-pointer.


Fold Pick-- Quick, name the last significant win for Notre Dame on the road... February 6th at Seton Hall? The Irish's last three games (all wins) came against schools not qualifying for play at Madison Square Garden. Plus, Luke Harangody looks just like the guy who took Brenda Walsh to the senior prom on 90210.


Gold Pick-- I was very impressed with Louisville last Saturday against Georgetown; the Cardinals have multiple offensive options (Terrence Williams can do it all) and a highly underrated defense (second in the league behind the Hoyas in points allowed and field goal percentage)... they also have the lighter side of the bracket despite being the second seed (I'm more concerned with Villanova, Syracuse and UConn than Notre Dame, Pitt or Cincinnati).
The Hoyas are 6-0 in conference games decided by three points or less... their knack of winning nailbiters has to run out sooner or later, doesn't it?