Fresh off sending a record 8 teams into the NCAA tourney, look for the Big East to build off its banner 2005-2006 campaign.

With Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, and Syracuse looking like top ten teams, the top half of the league is absolutely loaded. Throw in a young and dangerous UCONN and Villanova teams who will be top 25 teams, the conference should place 7-9 teams into the NCAA tourney this year.

The "bracketologist" at ESPN thinks that Louisville and DePaul will get in as well. But DePaul has already lost 3 of its first 5 games, so I would look for someone else as a possible 8th team. Georgetown also just lost at home to Old Dominion, so we'll have to see if this is just an early season bump or something more serious. The question is, who will be that "surprise team" that emerges every season unexpectedly?

Georgetown will be ok. Old Dominion isn't exactly a scrub progam from Virginia say like Virginia Tech of James Madison. Old Dominion has won 20 plus games the previous 2 years. The Hoyas will bounce back.

The Jury is still out on Louisville. Tons of talent. Injuries and the lack of a cohesive unit hurt the Cards in their first year of Big East basketball. I'm thinking Pitino will have the cards eyeing a top 6 conference finish ( which is saying a lot).

Write Depaul off. Why they were given some pre season love is beyond me. Their coach who is a Beilein prdigy from Richmond is having chemistry issues attempting to intitate his style of play ( European motion style) to a program that typically lives off urban players from the Chicago/Midwest who's style doesn't fit the new system. Should be interesitng to see how that plays off.


Who could emerge? WVU is off to a 3-0 start and these young guns of Beilien are ultra athletic and have high basketball IQ's. The question is if their first three games against inferior teams is just that or its the sign this freshman/sophomore dominated team is ready to take the reigns of of th program where last year's sensational senior dominated group had taken WVU.

Also, look for South Florida to be much improved and become a middle of the pack BE team. Also, Notre Dame should improve as the seqason goes along.


Here is how i see the BE stacking up

1) Marquette- The Big East rookie of the year Dominic James will be a first team All American this year. Marquetter already slapped around Duke last night in Kansas City.

2) Pitt- Great low post game

3) Georgetown- Great athletes and patient offense.

4) UCONN- Young team will gell as seson goes along.

5) Syracuse- Bohiem has Syracuse and its young guys primed for a National Championship run

6) Louisville- Pitino will have Cards in the BE hunt.

7) Villanova- Sumpter is a beast.

8) Notre Dame- Irish will improve as season progess and battle for NCAA bid.

9) WVU- Belien's young guns are a year away from making their customary NCAA run.

10) South Florida- The Friars are back on track.

11) St. Johns- The Red Storm are always seem like one player away from being an upper BE team.

12) Cincy- The Bearcats will have growing pains under their first year head coach. Nit Bound most likely.

13 DePaul- Wrong system, Wrong players, or Wrong coach?

14 Seton Hall- Won't make BE tourney

15 Providence- Some young players, but not enough talent to make a push towards .500.

16 Rutgers- New coach equals growing pains. At least football has been discovered in New jersey.

WVU lost what looked like a decent game to Arkansas tonight

still, they looked better than I thought they would

they're a young team so I would expect them not to do very well this season but I'm thinking if they can win some BE games, a NIT bid isn't out of the question

Well after a week or two of bball it's clear the Big East is not nearly as strong as last year and definitely not as strong as some thought this year.

Georgetown looks awful, Cincy loses to Wofford, Notre Dame looks weak, Providence loses to BROWN, Villanova has struggled and St. Johns looks pathetic.

I could see 6 teams, maybe 7, but no way does the Big East get more than that this year.

Are you kidding me? I can see I will have to debunk many posts on the college basketball board as I do on the football board. Let the process begin:

" Georgetown looks awful"

Since when is 3-1 awful with a win AT Vandy ( something most elite SEC schools won't win in most years) with a close loss to a very good Old Dominion team that's won 20 plus games the previous 3 years including beating multiple ACC and SEC teams during that periord? Obviously, you are in left field. Georgetown was upset in ONE game against a good team. That hardly is awful as you suggest.


"Cincy loses to Wofford"

Granted Cincy lost to Wofford who was a NCAA tourney team last year. BUT, the Bearcats are 4-1 with a new coach.

"Notre Dame looks weak"

Notre Dame is 4-1 with its only loss to Pre season NIT champion Butler in the final minute. Butler won the NIT over programs such as Gonzaga, UNC, and Tennessee. Also, the Bulldogs are ranked in the top 20 now. I hardly call losing to Butler- WEAK.


" Providence lost to Brown"
That is accurate. But Providence beat up on Boston College and George Washington as well and is 4-1.


" Villanova has struggled"

Villanova is 3-1 with a tough narrow loss to Xavier (there is no shame to losing to Xavier), yet the wildcats delivered a 30 point smacking of Iowa and beat mid major power Charleston. That is hardly struggling.

"St. Johns looks pathetic"


And? Every conference has bad teams at the bottom. Most telling is the BE's bad team almost beat a ranked Texas team. Not many conferences can claim that.


The BE teams you stated that were struggling is way off. I suggest research before posting on such matters.

All in All, the BE is still the best conference in basketball. With the ACC's 3 pre season highest ranked teams off to bad starts ( UNC lost to Gonzaga, Duke was blown out by Marquette, and BC losing to Providence and Vermoont) , possibly only the SEC can rival the Big East as the best conference in America. When you lose as much talent as the BE did last year, there will always be a new guard of teams that rise to the top ( marquette, Gtown, Pitt) as the old Guard from last year ( UCONN, WVU, and Villanova) providr their young guns playing time as the will evolve with experience into very good teams by March.

Ha hahahaaa......you're funny.

If the ACC completes a strong showing in the ACC-Big East challenge, I don't think anyone (with any basketball knowledge) will deny that the ACC has the potential to be the strongest conference this year.

The ACC always dominates the Big 10-ACC challenge. What else is new? The Big 10 aside from Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State won't make much of a splash on the national scene.


The ACC should have dominated this matchup. Its like chest thumping for something as simple as tying your shoe strings when they become untied. If that is what the ACC needs to make them selves feel they are at the level of the Big East, have at it.

Peopel in the KNOW know differently.

anyone who thought that WVU would win a national championship in football or even be a top 10 team, are NOT in the "know".

"anyone who thought that WVU would win a national championship in football or even be a top 10 team, are NOT in the "know"."

Look Resolve, this is a Big East BAKSETBALL thread, so lets stay on topic. Additionally, If I want to BE chest thump ( as its certainly the best conference), its a BE thread, so I am more than entitled to champion America's best basketball division/conference oustide the NBA.

ALso, I get that you love to follow every post of mine around similar to a deprived pupply starved for attention. If I wanted a board dawg, you are certainly in major candidate.

So, just to address your post above and end with sports topic , Many forecasted WVU to possibly win the National Championship this year ( just not myself). WVU was the sexy pick, but as we've found out WVU's defense wasa bigger liability than anyone would have thought ( including myself). With that being said, WVU is currently ranked 15th in the polls. IF WVU beats ranked Rutgers, WVU should be 12th or so going into the Bowl season. If WVU wins the Gator Bowl against some obscure ACC team, WVU will land in the top 10 this year for a 2nd consecutive year. So, I would refrain from making a comment when the reality is WVU has a good chance to land in the top 10 if they win out. Of course, I will remind you of this when the last polls come out in January.

Until then, "Keep trying sparky".

Best basketball conference outside the NBA ??? Haaahahahahahaaa.....

...man I want some of what you're on.....delusions are so fun!


RPI College Basketball Ratings, Nov. 28, 2006

1. ACC (57-12) .5906
2. Pac-10 (45-9) .5764
3. Big 12 (54-11) .5698
4. Missouri Valley (29-12) .5683
5. Big Ten (51-18) .5662
6. Mountain West (31-11) .5609
7. Big East (58-19) .5561

I love the argument and stats of this. Every year, the bottom feeders of the Big East lose to a team or two or three from a lesser conference and you almost scratch your head and wonder if the Big East teams' starters actually played for that team that night, it has happened every year.

In order to truly assess the Big East this year, you're going to have to wait a little longer. Many of the better Big East teams are not involved in marquee non-conference games until later in the season. Pitt, for example, although they are playing well, can't really get a true barometer, til December 16th when they travel to Wisconsin. UCONN is in a similar boat where a lot of their big games are in 2007 (usually on CBS). Some of these schools like USF, Seton Hall, Rutgers are in transition and I don't think it's just to dis the Big East just because Rutgers loses to NJIT or Brown or someone. I think it should be judged upon more of the marquee games.

BC loses to Vermont and Big East bottom feeder Providence.

Duke gets smacked by Marquette.

UNC gets run off the court by Gonzaga.


When the ACC's preseason top 3 teams are beaten in the early season in the way they were in these games, its comical to see anyone champion the ACC as the best conference.

The BE's bottom feeder teams played some damn good competition. They won some and lost some. however, unlike the ACC's top teams, the Big East's best teams have destoryed the competition. This is easily why the Big East is the best basketball conference outside the NBA as it was last year.

You are certainly correct when you say you have to wait awhile before pointing out marquee games for the Big East. So far the Big East is 2 - 3 vs. Top 25 teams......after 83 total games!!!! It would make it a lot easier if the Big East would actually play some good teams so when this argument is made their can be some basis behind what is being talked about instead of talking about other teams who actually play against decent competition that may have lost some games.

Yep -- another loss -- at home -- to another unranked team.

Saturday they travel to Duke -- a probable third loss?

Maybe the top 11 teams of the Big East should schedule the top 11 teams of the Big 10. That would assist the BE in solidifying a claim as the top conference in America, right?

No, the Big East would have to do more than just schedule good teams, they'd also have to beat them.

So far, the entire Big East conference has ONE (1) win against a ranked team this season.

A conference claiming to be the best would also need to do something noteworthy, like have a team make it to the Final Four. The Big East hasn't done that since UConn in the 2003-04 season.

You'll get a partial wish come true next Saturday when Wisconsin visits Marquette (it's the one day out of 365 I root against MU). I'm fairly certain that these teams haven't been this highly ranked (currently MU at #8, UW at #12) going into the match-up (the 113th of the series). Will be a great one.

[edited to add]:

Wisconsin then also takes on Pitt a week later. (nice tuf ooc sked)

d'OSU will travel downstate to Cinci later in the month.

Penn State will also take on Seton Hall

So a mini-Big Ten / Big East showdown.

Louisville made the Final 4 two year ago as it was departing CUSA to the Big East. Of course it had to beat West Virginia in overtime to advance to the Final 4 that year.


Anything else?

Btw, its a good time to be a BE fan. Many would like to duplicate our success.

Georgetown just lost to Duke, already its 3rd loss. Syracuse just lost to Wichita State.

The Big East is the weakest BCS conference so far this year, and probably weaker than the Missouri Valley as well.

And Marquette just lost to North Dakota State. Soon the Wisconsin BB powers will stop letting the Bison into the state. Last year they beat the Badgers when they were ranked #14, and tonight they beat Marquette while ranked #8. GO BISON!!!

Add Marquette's loss to North Dakota St. to that list.

I think Wisconsin will pass a state law banning the Bison from ever coming back.

[quote name='SteelResolve' date='Dec 3 2006, 02:35 AM' post='310880']
Georgetown just lost to Duke, already its 3rd loss. Syracuse just lost to Wichita State.

The Big East is the weakest BCS conference so far this year, and probably weaker than the Missouri Valley as well.
[/quote

Lesson 1

There are no "BCS" conferences in college basketball. The BCS only pertains to College football.


Lesson 2

One of the worst Big East teams this year- Depaul won @ #5 Kansas yesterday. That speaks volumes on the quality of the Big East. Syraucse losing to Wichita State is not a bad loss. The Shockers were ranked and are undefeated.



Look Resolve, I know its been a tough year for you and all being a Iowa Hawkeye fan. Not that much to cheer for, eh?

RPI Ratings, December 3, 2006
.......................................................Record..............RPI.........Schedule Strength
1 Atlantic Coast Conference...........65-15 .813.......(.6111).......5571 ( 1)
2 Pac 10 Conference .....................51-12 .810......(.5683)........4972 (20)
3 Mountain West Conference.........41-15 .732.......(.5640)........5166 (11)
4 Big XII Conference......................64-18 .780.......(.5634)........5002 (19)
5 Big Ten Conference.....................61-23 .726.......(.5584)........5241 ( 7)
6 Missouri Valley Conference..........41-15 .732.......(.5568)........5044 (17)
7 Big East Conference..................71-25 .740.......(.5561)........5198 ( 8)
8 Southeastern Conference............60-19 .759........(.5522).......5058 (16)


Ok....I guess you're right and Wikipedia is wrong:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_basketball#Conferences
"The term is generally used in college football, though it is often applied to all collegiate sports."

Notre Dame beats #19 Maryland tonight & Georgia Tech loses to a horrible Miami, FL team.

The BE improves to 5-1 in matchups with the ACC.


The BCS stands for Bowl Championship Series. There are no bowls in basektball, baseball, or any other college sport. THE BCS strictly pertains to football and not one time has any basketball coach, analyst, announcer, or anyone in the "know" use "BCS" when distinguishing the conferences in basketball. Additionally, anyone who references the BCS when speaking on a sport other than football or references Wikipeda when discussing sports reinforces an opinion I derived that you most likely are a product of google instead of using your own knowledge when debating issues.



You referencing the BCS in basketb all is similar to a little kid that calls all soft drinks a "COKE" because they haven't developed thought process/skills to be more detailed.

Ummm.....I believe this is protocol down in places like Texas and such(spin however you like)

I'll pile on the ACC a bit here, for goodness sakes Miami lost on the hardwood to BUFFALO!

We'll see how Buffalo does next weekend when Pittsburgh comes to town, I'm thinking the outcome will be a little different(part of me hopes not though)......

No need to spin. It common in the South ( just not texas) for pre-adolescent kids to reference all Sodas ( sprite, Dr. peppper, root beer, Pepsi, 7-up) as Coke. Eventually as they mature in life, they become knowledgeble on issues and are able to clearly communicate points in a concise manner.

Florida State 70
#4 Florida 66

p.s. I don't drink soft drinks but feel free to call them whatever you wish.

This needs to be placed in the ACC thread. Neither of those teams are in America's best basketball conference- The Big East.

Yep -- MU had absolutely no excuse for that loss -- the Bison proved they were capable of knocking off good teams -- so there should have been no surprise going into this game. Hand to ND State -- they play a solid game with great teamwork.

Good! That is one less issue you need to become more detailed when attempting to communicate in an effective manner.

Two more "high caliber" Big East teams fall!

Oklahoma State 72
Syracuse 68

Arizona 72
Louisville 65

Unless Marquette beats Wisconsin or Notre Dame beats Alabama this week, the Big East could be left with only 2 ranked teams come Monday.

Marquette's going down!! And then I'll root for them to win every game from then on!

Since when was Louisville a high claiber Big East team?


In the ACC Louisville would be high caliber. In the Big East, just another great program playing 15 other great programs.

WVU 71 NC State 60

'Nova 67
@OU 51

Better conference....Big East? Or NBA Atlantic?

West Virginia is having a good year so far compared to expectations, but the question still is, "can you guys beat Marshall this year?"

Even though NC State is one of the weakest teams in the ACC, its still a good win for WVU. WVU just has a few more patsy teams before Big East play begins. A decent showing in conference play and WVU could get a post-season bid.

Thanks for the analysis.

Notre Dame spanks 'Bama. I am LOVIN this. Go Big East!

if WVU keeps playing the way they have, I still think a NIT bid is not out of the question

Pittsburgh 70
Buffalo 67

Boy oh boy did the Panthers get a big scare in Buffalo today, they were this close to walking out of the building with their first loss of the season.......

I got to see the game on TV today, it was an impressive game, and Buffalo played great until they got fatigued in the last 10 minutes of the game. Pitt took a risk playing this game @ Buffalo but it's a great learning experience to make a comeback in an opponents gym. Pitt has lost to Pacific and Bradley in the last 2 NCAA tournaments and a game like this is great prep work for March. Next up for the Panthers is a High Noon game on Saturday @ Wisconsin, should be a really good game.

Villanova lost to Drexel at home......Drexel ??

Amount of Teams in the most recent AP Top 25 Poll

Big East-5
ACC - 2


P.S.

Also, I would like Like to give a shout out to my fan club over at the "Q". You guys are the "best". I am humbled that i still garner attention from the pink frisbee flying fool contingent.

Looking forward to a great game on Saturday in Madison. Any predictions.

While admitting my bias, I say Pitt beats the Badgers by 5. I definitely see a tight game, and both teams seem to be deep. Pitt seems to be playing to the level of its competition....winning a little bit ugly but still winning.

This is the first of three tough games in a row for the Panthers....one more on the road against OK State and then at home against Dayton. I hope the guys who make the brackets in March are watching as closely as they claim to have been watching the last several years when our December schedule was mostly agianst powerhouses like Coppin State and Howard!

Whew! Predictions? I think you have to go back to the 80s to the last time Pitt was involved in a top-ten matchup with a non-conference opponent. Wisconsin looks pretty tough and they have the experience of the Marquette game. I have a feeling Wisconsin will win by a few points. It took the fatigue of the Buffalo team to finally allow Pitt to take the lead, i don't think the same will happen with the Badgers.

I am looking forward to see how Pitt prepares for this marquee opponent. I could be wrong in this stat, but Pitt is something like 16-1 in it's last 17 Big Ten games, with most of those victories (and the one loss) against Penn State, while others over Michigan, Illinois, Ohio State, Indiana & Wisconsin . That stat alone is phenominal, and it's a wonder they don't get invited into the conference.

Well, if most of those Ws came against PSU, that ... well, speaks for itself (sorry PSU fans -- but that's history. This year like I've posted before I think they're gonna have a fine season)

Back to the matter at hand. Wisconsin has a deep bench, so little fatigue there -- tons of substituions in the swing offense. The game inside the paint will be key -- that's where Pitt is better. Tough match-up. Can't wait. Bucky by 3.

Regarding the Big East-ACC debate on who is the better conference, Depaul's 15 point win over Wake Forest last night gives the BE 6 -2 record against the ACC this year.

BE has 5ranked teams in the top 25 in the AP poll versus only 2 for the ACC.

Its obvious which conference is better.


Anyone seen Steel Resolve?

Well, some potential bad news for the Panthers. Their stud center Aaron Gray has strep throat -- may miss the Wisconsin game -- or play a very limited number of minutes.