NYC Metro Hoops

Both Rutgers and Seton Hall are struggling in Big East play, sporting conference records of 0-5 heading into Wednesday. Rutgers hosts Louisville tonight, while Seton Hall welcomes Providence on Thursday. The two Garden State rivals face off on January 29th, with a second meeting on February 8th. So who do you like to get the job done first? Vote and leave your thoughts on the matter!

For those of you not looking forward to the BCS National Championship Game there is a full slate of games in the NEC (LIU is off after beating future NEC member Bryant the other night) that'll most likely do more to muddle the conference picture than provide clarity. Monmouth may be the league's hottest team after impressive wins over Sacred Heart and CCSU over the weekend, and they'll head north to take on a struggling St. Francis (NY) club.

Conference Honors

America East: Despite their loss at Binghamton on Monday night it was a good week for Stony Brook, who won games at Air Force and defending America East champ UMBC. Junior Muhammad El-Amin shared the conference Player of the Week award with New Hampshire's Alvin Abreu, and freshman Bryan Dougher was named America East Rookie of the Week. While El-Amin accounted for 19.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in the two wins, Dougher averaged 20.5 points per game. 

The final days of 2008, for most of the teams in the area (save the Ivies and NJIT), mean a transition into full-time conference play. Some schools still have a game or two outside of conference play later in the season, but for the most part it's all about focusing on the direct way of getting to the NCAA Tournament. Big East play begins early this week, and despite a big win over FDU Seton Hall fans have to wonder what the opener at Syracuse will bring for a team that lacks bodies inside. St.

Not a good sight in some of the metropolitan area training rooms right now. As was noted on this site yesterday, St. John's has lost Justin Burrell for the near future due to a collision with teammate Sean Evans in practice, resulting in three broken bones in his face. He's at least out for the Aeropostale Holiday Festival this weekend, but the Red Storm were able to take care of an equally shorthanded Marist team with relative ease.