THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE

[vutomcat]

Georgetown is a team with multiple personalities. This might be JT III 's last year.

[GannonFan]

AP Poll

1 Michigan State Spartans (64) 11-0 1,621
2 Kansas Jayhawks (1) 8-1 1,499
3 Oklahoma Sooners 7-0 1,409
4 Kentucky Wildcats 9-1 1,385
5 Iowa State Cyclones 9-0 1,370
6 Maryland Terrapins 9-1 1,353
7 Duke Blue Devils 8-1 1,271
8 Virginia Cavaliers 8-1 1,132
9 Purdue Boilermakers 11-0 1,082
10 Xavier Musketeers 10-0 1,062
11 North Carolina Tar Heels 7-2 1,023
12 Villanova Wildcats 8-1 865
13 Arizona Wildcats 9-1 860
14 Providence Friars 10-1 724
15 Miami-Florida Hurricanes 8-1 622
16 Baylor Bears 7-1 605
17 Butler Bulldogs 8-1 562

Three in top 10 now.

None of them are the bluebloods of the Big East.

Providence is a fraud, they might even get exposed in conference before crashing out in the tourney. Xavier's the real deal though, they're poised for another run deep into the tourney. Butler's the wild card - with those seniors they could be really tough - I wouldn't want to play them in March. I like that nova is struggling at this part of the season - they need to be toughened up before March to avoid their recent struggles in the tourney. This could be the type of year where they finally peak at the right time.

[GannonFan]

Georgetown is a team with multiple personalities. This might be JT III 's last year.

Wonder if Mullin will last more than a year at St John's - back to back losses to Incarnate Word and NJIT, with a loss too Fordham thrown in there too, is not a promising start to the season. In Mullin's defense, however, I don't think St. John's is salvageable anyway.

[vutomcat]

Three in top 10 now.

None of them are the bluebloods of the Big East.

Providence is a fraud, they might even get exposed in conference before crashing out in the tourney. Xavier's the real deal though, they're poised for another run deep into the tourney. Butler's the wild card - with those seniors they could be really tough - I wouldn't want to play them in March. I like that nova is struggling at this part of the season - they need to be toughened up before March to avoid their recent struggles in the tourney. This could be the type of year where they finally peak at the right time.

Providence. I think they have two future NBA players. Obviously Dunn, and Bentil looks like one too. They may be a little better than you think.

I agree with you on Nova. The Virginia game at UVA was good preparation and they played well. And, if the polls are even remotely right they will be challenged much more than last year.

[GannonFan]

Providence is a fraud, they might even get exposed in conference before crashing out in the tourney. Xavier's the real deal though, they're poised for another run deep into the tourney. Butler's the wild card - with those seniors they could be really tough - I wouldn't want to play them in March. I like that nova is struggling at this part of the season - they need to be toughened up before March to avoid their recent struggles in the tourney. This could be the type of year where they finally peak at the right time.

Providence. I think they have two future NBA players. Obviously Dunn, and Bentil looks like one too. They may be a little better than you think.

I agree with you on Nova. The Virginia game at UVA was good preparation and they played well. And, if the polls are even remotely right they will be challenged much more than last year.

Nah, I've watched at least 4-5 Providence games so far, they're weak. Dunn's legit, and the other guy is pretty good, but they've little depth beyond them and I think they've just feasted on an easy non conference schedule. They'll stay near the top as I think the Big East is even more top heavy than usual (St John's and DePaul are virtual bye weeks) so they'll come into the tourney with a 4-6 seed, but I don't see them lasting past the first weekend. Too soft.

nova's fine, no sense getting too worked up about Nov/Dec basketball. It's all about March, so get right by then. They played okay against UVA, but they disappeared at times too much in that game. Disappear in a tourney game and you'll disappear from any subsequent rounds.

[89Hen]

I've watched at least 4-5 Providence games so far

[vutomcat]

Providence. I think they have two future NBA players. Obviously Dunn, and Bentil looks like one too. They may be a little better than you think.

I agree with you on Nova. The Virginia game at UVA was good preparation and they played well. And, if the polls are even remotely right they will be challenged much more than last year.

Nah, I've watched at least 4-5 Providence games so far, they're weak. Dunn's legit, and the other guy is pretty good, but they've little depth beyond them and I think they've just feasted on an easy non conference schedule. They'll stay near the top as I think the Big East is even more top heavy than usual (St John's and DePaul are virtual bye weeks) so they'll come into the tourney with a 4-6 seed, but I don't see them lasting past the first weekend. Too soft.

nova's fine, no sense getting too worked up about Nov/Dec basketball. It's all about March, so get right by then. They played okay against UVA, but they disappeared at times too much in that game. Disappear in a tourney game and you'll disappear from any subsequent rounds.

They are 11-1 with a win over #8 Arizona.

They play Butler next, let's see what happens.

[GannonFan]

I've watched at least 4-5 Providence games so far

Parts of 4-5 games. Saw them play Harvard, Illinois, Mich St, URI, and Bryant. Everyone's on tv anymore, you can really see any game you want.

[GannonFan]

Nah, I've watched at least 4-5 Providence games so far, they're weak. Dunn's legit, and the other guy is pretty good, but they've little depth beyond them and I think they've just feasted on an easy non conference schedule. They'll stay near the top as I think the Big East is even more top heavy than usual (St John's and DePaul are virtual bye weeks) so they'll come into the tourney with a 4-6 seed, but I don't see them lasting past the first weekend. Too soft.

nova's fine, no sense getting too worked up about Nov/Dec basketball. It's all about March, so get right by then. They played okay against UVA, but they disappeared at times too much in that game. Disappear in a tourney game and you'll disappear from any subsequent rounds.

They are 11-1 with a win over #8 Arizona.

They play Butler next, let's see what happens.

Eh, November basketball. If memory serves, Providence played Arizona a night after Arizona got taken to OT by a rather mediocre Santa Clara team. Trophies are handed out for what happens in March.

[dbackjon]

They are 11-1 with a win over #8 Arizona.

They play Butler next, let's see what happens.

Eh, November basketball. If memory serves, Providence played Arizona a night after Arizona got taken to OT by a rather mediocre Santa Clara team. Trophies are handed out for what happens in March.

Under Lou Henson, Illinois was known as the Fightin' Decembers! Illinois has numerous December national championships

[89Hen]

Parts of 4-5 games. Saw them play Harvard, Illinois, Mich St, URI, and Bryant. Everyone's on tv anymore, you can really see any game you want.

Right, but why would you want to see them?

I hate bball, so take it FWIW.

[GannonFan]

Parts of 4-5 games. Saw them play Harvard, Illinois, Mich St, URI, and Bryant. Everyone's on tv anymore, you can really see any game you want.

Right, but why would you want to see them?

I hate bball, so take it FWIW.

But I do like bball. Our positions are reversed in hockey I imagine - unless it's the Flyers or it's snowing on the ice, I'm not really watching. Whereas I'm sure you get all excited when Calgary/Columbus comes on as a late night game from Alberta. To each their own.

[89Hen]

Right, but why would you want to see them?

I hate bball, so take it FWIW.

But I do like bball. Our positions are reversed in hockey I imagine - unless it's the Flyers or it's snowing on the ice, I'm not really watching. Whereas I'm sure you get all excited when Calgary/Columbus comes on as a late night game from Alberta. To each their own.

Nah, to be honest, the only sports (other than championships/majors/Olympics) I watch where I don't have a dog in the hunt is a few NFL and CF games (I guess that's actually one sport). I do watch golf more often than the majors.

[vutomcat]

Shootout at noon today.

According to ESPN RPI index this is #1 in the country Xavier against #2 Villanova.

2015-16 RPI

RK TEAM RPI D1 W-L SOS
1 Xavier .7156 12-0 3
2 Villanova .6672 10-2 4
3 Michigan St .667 13-1 46
4 SMU .6609 12-0 73
5 Txas Tech .6586 10-1 16
6 Oklahoma .6558 11-0 100
7 Kentucky .6550 10-2 19
8 Nrth Carlina .655 12-2 34
9 Virginia .6543 11-1 78
10 Dayton .6462 10-2 9 127

[GannonFan]

Shootout at noon today.

According to ESPN RPI index this is #1 in the country Xavier against #2 Villanova.

2015-16 RPI

RK TEAM RPI D1 W-L SOS
1 Xavier .7156 12-0 3
2 Villanova .6672 10-2 4
3 Michigan St .667 13-1 46
4 SMU .6609 12-0 73
5 Txas Tech .6586 10-1 16
6 Oklahoma .6558 11-0 100
7 Kentucky .6550 10-2 19
8 Nrth Carlina .655 12-2 34
9 Virginia .6543 11-1 78
10 Dayton .6462 10-2 9 127

I'm sure undefeated Oklahoma, who handled nova very easily, is amused by the RPI rankings. I'm sure if 89 was here he would chip in how computer models at this point of the season with such little information are notoriously wrong.

[vutomcat]

Shootout at noon today.

According to ESPN RPI index this is #1 in the country Xavier against #2 Villanova.

2015-16 RPI

RK TEAM RPI D1 W-L SOS
1 Xavier .7156 12-0 3
2 Villanova .6672 10-2 4
3 Michigan St .667 13-1 46
4 SMU .6609 12-0 73
5 Txas Tech .6586 10-1 16
6 Oklahoma .6558 11-0 100
7 Kentucky .6550 10-2 19
8 Nrth Carlina .655 12-2 34
9 Virginia .6543 11-1 78
10 Dayton .6462 10-2 9 127

I'm sure undefeated Oklahoma, who handled nova very easily, is amused by the RPI rankings. I'm sure if 89 was here he would chip in how computer models at this point of the season with such little information are notoriously wrong.

It's a little early for sure. Couldn't let it go by though once I saw it. The Cats get lots of support in the computers because they blow everybody out when they win.

Obviously, SOS is excellent too. Given the excellence of the Big East this year it will most likely remain that way all year much to your chagrin.

[dbackjon]

Shootout at noon today.

According to ESPN RPI index this is #1 in the country Xavier against #2 Villanova.

2015-16 RPI

RK TEAM RPI D1 W-L SOS
1 Xavier .7156 12-0 3
2 Villanova .6672 10-2 4
3 Michigan St .667 13-1 46
4 SMU .6609 12-0 73
5 Txas Tech .6586 10-1 16
6 Oklahoma .6558 11-0 100
7 Kentucky .6550 10-2 19
8 Nrth Carlina .655 12-2 34
9 Virginia .6543 11-1 78
10 Dayton .6462 10-2 9 127

Villanova sends a Xavier player to the hospital...

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) -- Xavier freshman guard Edmond Sumner was taken off the court on a stretcher after a hard fall in Thursday's game against Villanova.

Sumner was driving to the basket when he collided with Villanova defenders and crashed to the court. He was on his back and didn't move for several minutes until he finally raised his knees.

Coach Chris Mack, trainers and teammates checked on Sumner. Mack told the media that Sumner was squeezing his hands and moving his legs.

Sumner has averaged 11.7 points for the No. 6 Musketeers.

[dbackjon]

Nova is kicking the crap out of Xavier right now

[vutomcat]

Scary moment. It was the only one of the day for the Cats though. Thorough thrashing of a very good team.

I guess ESPN will have them at #1. I won't be surprised if they change the criteria now. Their worst nightmare is that the Big East catches fire.

[Seahawks08]

I am becoming more convinced that Nova should rarely play outside of the Pavilion. Maybe OOC games against high ranked teams and against Georgetown should be the only ones played at Wells Fargo. I feel like Nova always plays better at the Pavilion anyways. Seriously, who wants to go see St. Johns vs. Nova at Wells Fargo this year?

To be honest though, I would like to see Nova continue to play big time teams away or on a neutral floor as it would give them a better understanding of how March Madness will play out.

Also, Providence showed that they are better than I thought they were. Having Kris Dunn in foul trouble in the second half made the Friars' Bullock and Bentl have to step up and they did. Excellent win for the Friars.

[89Hen]

1985 NC game was on TV this week. What I forgot was not only were villanova and Georgetown in the finals, St John's was in the Final Four. Three teams from one conference can't happen that often. Also of note was Memphis was Memphis State, I didn't recall that either.

[vutomcat]

The Redmen (not redstorm) would have beaten nova. I was in Lexington rooting for Georgetown. Nova did not match up with them at all.

[GannonFan]

I'm sure undefeated Oklahoma, who handled nova very easily, is amused by the RPI rankings. I'm sure if 89 was here he would chip in how computer models at this point of the season with such little information are notoriously wrong.

It's a little early for sure. Couldn't let it go by though once I saw it. The Cats get lots of support in the computers because they blow everybody out when they win.

Obviously, SOS is excellent too. Given the excellence of the Big East this year it will most likely remain that way all year much to your chagrin.

I'm sure it will be that way until sometime in March, much to your chagrin.

[GannonFan]

1985 NC game was on TV this week. What I forgot was not only were villanova and Georgetown in the finals, St John's was in the Final Four. Three teams from one conference can't happen that often. Also of note was Memphis was Memphis State, I didn't recall that either.

I think Keith Lee still has eligibility left for Memphis. He was something like a 6th year player that year they lost to nova'. Gary McLain was also as high as a kite in that semifinal game.

[GannonFan]

The Redmen (not redstorm) would have beaten nova. I was in Lexington rooting for Georgetown. Nova did not match up with them at all.

Yup, worked out for nova. St John's could never beat G'town, and G'town always struggled against nova. If St John's and Memphis were flipped nova would've lost in the Final Four.