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FIVE BIG EAST QUESTIONS WITH…SETH DAVIS

Last week we debuted a new feature that we hope will become a regular aspect of the NBE Basketball Report this season. Five Big East Questions With…Mike DeCourcy kicked off the segment and was quickly followed by Five Big East Questions With…Jay Bilas as we poll some of the more well-known college basketball analysts and writers from around the country to learn what they are seeing in the Big East so far this year.

Up next in the series is a Seth Davis, a staff writer for Sports Illustrated who authors the Inside College Basketball column during season for the magazine. Davis is also an in-studio analyst for CBS’ NCAA men’s college basketball coverage

This afternoon, with have the opportunity to get this experts’ thoughts on the conference with Five Big East Questions with…Seth Davis:

NBE: To this point, which Big East team that you have seen impresses you the most and what separates them from the rest of the conference?

Davis: Connecticut seems to be one level above the rest of the conference, but I’m curious to see how the Huskies stack up against better competition. As their near-escape at Buffalo demonstrates, I think they get bored playing bad teams this time of year. So their game against Gonzaga will give us an interesting gauge. Clearly, though, no other team has a player quite like Hasheem Thabeet. He has really improved on the offensive end and gives them a dimension nobody else has. I’m a little concerned that A.J. Price is not playing with the same explosiveness he had before his knee injury. That will need to change over time if they’re going to make a run at the championship.

Aside from UConn, there are obviously a lot of good teams, but the one that stands out most in my mind so far is Notre Dame. I know defense is important (and the Irish are better defensively than people give them credit for), but it’s also important to be able to score in bunches, and ND obviously is capable of doing that.

NBE: To this point, which Big East team has surpised you as being better than anticipated and what are the factors of their better play?

Davis: I’d give the nod here to Seton Hall. I know they’re short on players, but that was a pretty good USC team they beat down in Puerto Rico, and beating Virginia Tech is no automatic task either. Jeremy Hazell is a little streaky for my tastes, but man, when he’s on, he’s on. I also like John Garcia’s progress in the post, which allows them to play a little inside-out. It will be very hard for them to get through the meat grinder of the Big East so short-handed, but their first seven will enable them to compete with anyone.

NBE: Which team do you anticipate improving the most between now and the stretch drive of February-March?

Davis: Louisville is going to get better because they’re not getting great production from their point guard position and they’re relying heavily on a freshman in Samardo Samuels, but I’ve also got my eye on Georgetown. I think Samuels and Monroe are the two best freshmen in the country, but the Hoyas also have a true budding star in Chris Wright. He missed most of his freshman season because of injury, but he is a natural scorer who gives them a dimension at that position they haven’t had. And it’s good to see DaJuan Summers starting to come into his own. I was starting to wonder if it was ever going to happen. I’m really looking forward to the Georgetown-Memphis game, and not just because it’s on CBS.

NBE: What is one Big East match-up your DVR will be set to record this season and why?

Davis: Gotta go with Louisville-UConn. Pittsburgh might be better than both those teams, but they’re not as much fun to watch.

NBE: Your in a Big East Fantasy Basketball Draft…who are the top 5 players on your draft board?

Davis:Given that fewer players can give you assists than any other category, I’m a little point guard heavy: : 1. Jonny Flynn 2. Luke Harangody 3. Levance fields 4. Scottie Reynolds and 5. Sam Young