Articles

RPI #'s updated as of 2/24/10, 2:00 pm.

 

Cincinnati

Connecticut

Louisville

Marquette

Seton Hall

Cincinnati (15-10, 6-7, 52 RPI)

Marquette (16-8, 7-5, 59 RPI)

Notre Dame (17-10, 6-8, 78 RPI)

Seton Hall (15-9, 6-7, 57 RPI)

South Florida (16-9, 6-7, 55 RPI)

UCONN (15-11, 5-8, 50 RPI)

The Big East is nearly as strong at the top as it was a year ago, when it could claim three of the four number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament. This season, however, nearly half of the Big East teams lie squarely on the bubble. There seems to be very little separation between teams 6-12 in the conference and it is difficult to determine who will end up where when the season ends. The Big East Tournament may be the deciding factor on which bubble teams make it, and which fall short.

 

While there's a lot of respect for the two-time defending Ivy League champion Cornell Big Red few people expected Steve Donahue's team to pull off the upset at top-ranked Kansas. But while the Big Red didn't complete the task they did have the nation on tilt for most of the game before falling 71-66. Sherron Collins led the way with 33 points as the Jayhawks enjoyed a free throw margin of +20 in the second half (23-3) and a +14 in points scored from the charity stripe.

 

With a lot of talent leaving the Big East, a lot of people felt the conference would be in a down year.  However, it currently has the best record of any power-6 conference and has a great shot at putting 7+ teams in the NCAA tournament.

 

Sunday signals the end of the Thanksgiving tournament schedule with title games in both Orlando and Anaheim. West Virginia, who welcomed back Devin Ebanks in their win over Texas A&M, will take on a Portland team that's looked every bit the challenger to Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference in wins over UCLA and Minnesota. But they're going to have their hands full with the Mountaineers, who are more versatile offensively than either of the two teams the Pilots have beaten in Anaheim. 

Milwaukee – The Marquette University men’s basketball program has signed prep point guard Reggie Smith (Harvey, IL/Thornton Township HS) to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Buzz Williams announced Thursday afternoon.

Smith, a 6-0, 175-pounder, will arrive on campus this summer and have four years of eligibility with the Golden Eagles.

Despite losing a ton of talent in the off-season, the Big East is still one of the country's most exciting and talented leagues.. and it features the country's dominant fantasy star: Luke Harangody. Other players to watch include newcomers like Lance Stephenson and Youphtaou Yarou and vets like Scottie Reynolds and Da'Sean Butler.

 

Milwaukee – The Marquette University men’s basketball program has signed prep standout Jamail Jones to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Buzz Williams announced Wednesday morning.

Jones, a 6-6, 205-pounder, will arrive on campus this summer and have four years of eligibility with the Golden Eagles.