I grew up on Big East Basketball. I believe in the Big East--from Hoya Paranoia to 30,000+ at the Carrier Dome clapping out of rhythm. Despite the sixteen school membership (it's not ideal when you have to scroll up and down just to see the entire standings) and despite the fact that recently I have covered the ACC on a more day-to-day basis, my heart still resides in Dave Gavitt's dreamchild.
This year the conference is as good as ever: four contenders for a #1 seed (yes, I include Villanova), four other worthy tournament teams capable of damage in March (yes, Providence makes the field in my book) plus three schools that had a berth in their fingertips if they had only executed down the stretch (sorry Georgetown, Cincinnati and Notre Dame).
Which brings us to five (yes, I'm not crazy about that either) days of excitement and madness at Madison Square Garden...and plenty of thrills, chills and spills...
BOLD PICK: Since dropping seven straight games, Notre Dame has taken five of eight-- including four double digit smackdowns (one against league champ Louisville)... Mike Brey has the Irish playing better and has Luke Harangody (23 points and 12 boards a game) at his disposal (despite the fact last year's Big East Player of the Year looks just like the guy who took Brenda Walsh to her senior prom). Honorable Mention--Syracuse has gotten its act together and as a 6th seed could do damage on its half of the bracket...and does anyone remember the McNamara magic of '06?
FOLD PICK: Just a few weeks ago Marquette was being bandied about as a potential top seed--until Dominic James got hurt. Since then the Golden Eagles have dropped four straight and is still trying to find itself post-James. It's never good to be shaky going into MSG in March.
Honorable Mention--Syracuse is known for early round losses (Villanova in '91, Seton Hall in '94, Georgetown in 2000) where they've marvelously underperformed...and they're due for another stinker.
GOLD PICK: With Marquette falling by the wayside, the top of the league has rotated between UConn, Pitt and Louisville...the three schools a combined 46-8 in conference play...:
Cardinals pro: Terrence Williams (13ppg, 9rpg and 5apg) and Earl Clark are miserable matchups for opponents--and Pitino's up-tempo style will be tough for anyone to slow down.
Cardinals con: Lville hasn't played anyone good since their February 2nd loss to UConn...and top seeds are known as much for mysterious collapses (UConn in '06, Syracuse in '00) than they are for great play in the BET.
Huskies pro: Hasheem Thabeet is the best pure big man this conference has seen in some time... unless you're shooting lights out you will have to go through him to the basket--and that's just not happening.
Huskies con: no Jerome Dyson means less depth and less three-point shooting...meaning a lot more bumping and grinding this week in the Big Apple--and one can only bump and grind so long without wearing thin.
Panthers pro: Dejuan Blair is possibly the only forward who can stand up to Thabeet--Sam Young is the type of wingman who explodes in March, and Pitt has been the most consistent team this season--and Levance Fields is a smart senior who will direct the offense to perfection. PITT IS IT.
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