Anthony Jaskulski, Cincinnati News, Connecticut News, DePaul News, Georgetown News, Louisville News, Marquette News, Notre Dame News, Pittsburgh News, Providence News, Rutgers News, Seton Hall News, St. John's News, Syracuse News, USF News, Villanova News, West Virginia News

BIG EAST STOCK REPORT: WEEK #8

By Anthony Jaskulski

*All stats provided are conference games only unless otherwise noted.

1.  Connecticut 25-2, 13-2, Stock: UP

National Ranking: 2

Last game: W 64-50 vs. South Florida

Next game: Feb. 25 at Marquette

Current Streak: W 1

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Connecticut’s defense made itself heard again on Saturday, holding South Florida to just 32.3% from the field, and a back-to-himself Hasheem Thabeet dropped 21 points, nine rebounds and six blocks, playing 38 minutes with just three fouls.

Area of Improvement: The Huskies shot just a combined 6 of 24 from beyond-the-arc in their last two games against USF and Pittsburgh.

Overall Analysis: Connecticut is back to the top of the charts once again, but proving why they are the best will be another difficult task, as games at Marquette and at Pittsburgh are up on the docket.  The Huskies have shot under 45% and have been held to under 70 points in the three games without guard Jerome Dyson, but the defense, which is still giving up a league-best 36.5% does not seem to be shaken.  Defending the ball may be their best shot at stealing these final three games down the stretch.

2.  Pittsburgh 25-3, 12-3, Stock: Level

National Ranking: 1

Last game: L 81-73 at Providence

Next game: Feb. 28 at Seton Hall

Current Streak: L 1

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Pitt continues to hold a taunting +10.9 rebounding margin over opponents, pulling down a monstrous 40 rebounds per game, and both best in the league.

Area of Improvement: Surrendering 18 turnovers did the Panthers in Tuesday night at Providence.  11 of those turnovers came from steals, with the Providence completely exploiting a lackadaisical Pitt offense.

Overall Analysis: Ouch is probably the best word to come to mind after the Panthers dropped a disgusting loss to Providence.  The fact that it was an eight point difference on the final score truly lies, as Pitt, at one point, was getting waxed by 20 points, including a 17-1 run put on them by the Friars.  It’s a bad loss that the Panthers will have to learn from, and move on.  If they want a moral victory out of the loss, they still out-rebounded the Friars 31-24, and they still did shoot 46.6% from the field.

3.  Marquette 23-4, 12-2, Stock: Rising

National Ranking: 10

Last game: W 78-72 at Georgetown

Next game: Feb. 25 vs. Connecticut

Current Streak: W 3

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: The Wesley Matthews/Jerel McNeal tandem struck gold yet again on Saturday, scoring a combined 45 points out of the 78 Marquette posted in the win over Georgetown.

Area of Improvement: Giving up 36.8% to the opposition this year, Marquette really needs to start buckling down on defending the three point shot.  They allowed one of the worst three point shooting teams in the league, in Georgetown, to shoot 8 of 18 (44.4%).

Overall Analysis: Don’t be fooled, their most recent win in the house of a Hoyas team that desperately needed a win for NCAA tournament hopes was as big as they come.  And the fact that the Golden Eagles offensive numbers-78.6 points per game-continue to terrorize teams, and that their transition game on both ends of the floor is still as good as it was at the beginning of the year, should scare the Big East.  And if Marquette posts an above .500 record in this “gauntlet” schedule, with Connecticut, Louisville and Pittsburgh coming up, then the entire nation should be just as frightened.

4.  Louisville 22-5, 13-2, Stock: Rising

National Ranking: 6

Last game: W 76-58 at Georgetown

Next game: Mar. 1 vs. Marquette

Current Streak: W 4

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Since their loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago, Louisville has been pulverizing opponents, with margin victories of 18, 9, 18 and 45.  That jumps their scoring margin to +9.4 points per game, and boasts the offensive numbers to 72.5.

Area of Improvement: Louisville’s free throws have been struggling of late, and a 64.6% average from the line doesn’t lie.  They shot 20 of 32 from the line against Georgetown Monday.

Overall Analysis: This is the Louisville the Big East is familiar with.  The aggressive, 2-2-1 full court trap forcing 16 turnovers a game, and helping the Cardinals to a league-best nine steals per game, as well as an offense that is shooting lights out early, including a 13 of 13 start in the Georgetown game, and knocking down their first 6 three pointers in the game..  It seems their embarrassment at South Bend is completely in the rearview mirror.  Can the guards keep this up, and continue to make it easier on the front court?

5.  Villanova 22-5, 10-4, Stock: Rising

National Ranking: 12

Last game: W 86-83 at Syracuse

Next game: Feb. 25 at DePaul

Current Streak: W 2

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Villanova continues to show off their depth by finding a new role player in almost every game.  Their huge win over Syracuse Saturday was thanks to a 22 point performance from unsung hero, forward Dwayne Anderson.  Corey Fisher chimed in with 16 points from the bench.

Area of Improvement: The Wildcats have given up 41 turnovers in three games, dating back from their 16 in the Feb. 13 loss at West Virginia

Overall Analysis: If they can take better care of the ball, the Big East’s most prolific offense, averaging 80.6 points per game, the future will be extremely bright.  The fact that forward Dante Cunningham and guard Scottie Reynolds are getting more and more help, makes the job easier on them, and gives them more open looks.  Giving up 75 points per game, however, is something that needs to be improved come March.

6.  West Virginia 19-8, 8-6, Stock: Rising

Last game: W 74-56 at Rutgers

Next game: Feb. 26 at Cincinnati

Current Streak: W 3          

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Some would say 71 points per game isn’t the best number you could have, but for West Virginia it’s a number they continue to improve on.  In their last three games, they have shot over 70 points, and continue to hold opponents to just 61.4 points a game.

Area of Improvement: West Virginia needs to get more production from players to help Alex Ruoff and Da’Sean Butler.  Other than the duo, no Mountaineer scorers are averaging double figures or better. 

Overall Analysis: If they can get a little more depth, the Mountaineers could be a tough matchup for anybody in the postseason.  Butler’s 18.1 points per game, and Ruoff, who has taken over the full time responsibilities of the point guard position with great leadership and moxie is helping West Virginia fix that one nagging facet, the offensive scoring.

7.  Syracuse 20-8, 8-7, Stock: Level

Last game: W 87-58 at St. John’s

Next game: Mar. 1 vs. Cincinnati

Current Streak: W 1

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: Syracuse got back to their dominant offensive ways, dropping an astounding 64.9% of their field goals on St. John’s Tuesday, going 37 of 57, and 6 of 11 from beyond-the-arc. 

Area of Improvement: If it wasn’t for lights out shooting Tuesday, the Orange would have been in a much tighter tussle, as they surrendered a horrendous 20 turnovers to the Johnnies.

Overall Analysis: It’s tough to pinpoint where Syracuse is right now.  They have no depth, defense is shaky, and they are starting to get careless with the ball.  However, they are making up for it on the offensive end, and are really showing discipline in select shooting, going a league-best 48% from the field.  It seems at this point, the offense has to show up for the Orange to contend.  Defense just is not bailing them out right now, as they proved, giving up 86 points to Villanova last week.

8.  Providence 17-11, 9-7, Stock: Rising

Last game: W 81-73 vs. Pittsburgh

Next game: Mar. 1 at Rutgers

Current Streak: W 1

Postseason Status: NCAA

Strong Point: It’s tough to say what was better: Providence shooting 49.1% from the field, or the fact that they kicked out 18 team assists in the win over Pitt Tuesday night.

Area of Improvement: Even with the win, Providence was still out-rebounded by Pitt, which only makes their lousy -1.3 rebounding margin, allowing their opponents to an average of 37 boards per game stat worse.

Overall Analysis: Knocking off Pitt added the color and sparks to the Friars resume, and it looks to be enough to get them in the Big Dance as one of the last to be entered.  Providence’s offense proved on Tuesday that defense doesn’t always have to get you the W.  If you draw the fouls, which they got to the line 29 times, hitting 22 free throws, and you shoot a solid percentage, you can beat anybody on any day, apparently.

9.  Cincinnati 17-10, 7-7, Stock: Level

Last game: L 72-63 vs. Louisville

Next game: Feb. 26 vs. West Virginia

Current Streak: L 2

Postseason Status: NIT

Strong Point: Cincinnati showed some depth in Saturday’s loss to Louisville, as guard Alvin Mitchell tallied up 14 points, and guard Dion Dixon and forward Yancy Gates both chimed in with 10 a piece.  They outscored the starters 34-29.

Area of Improvement: Not one Bearcat starter scored in double figures against Louisville, which helped contribute to just a 43.8% day from the field going 25 of 58, and a miserable 11 of 27 from three point territory.

Overall Analysis: The Bearcats are blowing their shot at sneaking in the backdoor of the Big Dance.  A home win over Louisville would have been more than enough, but now Providence, with their win over Pittsburgh, seems to have taken over that spot.  Cincinnati has to take down West Virginia at home, and finish strong down the stretch.  Deonta Vaughn and Mike Williams being held to under 10 points each will not help.

10.  Notre Dame 14-10, 5-7, Stock: Rising

Last game: W 103-84 at Providence

Next game: Feb. 25 vs. Rutgers

Current Streak: W 2

Postseason Status: NIT

Strong Point: The Irish’ explosion at Providence Saturday was triggered by a 13 of 28 day from beyond-the-arc, including a ridiculous 7 of 11 performance from Ryan Ayers.

Area of Improvement: Notre Dame is still giving up 72.5 points per game to their opponents, and has given up 79 or more points in 5 of their last 7 outings.

Overall Analysis: They have some work to do, but nevertheless it can be done.  Much like Providence, if you get into a high scoring affair with the Irish, odds are plenty stacked against you.  While their defense is sub-par, they averaging 77.2 points and a 39.3% three point shooting percentage, dropping 8.6 a game.

11.  Georgetown 14-12, 5-10, Stock: Falling

Last game: L 76-58 vs. Louisville

Next game: Feb. 28 at Villanova

Current Streak: L 2

Postseason Status: NIT

Strong Point: After giving up 12 turnovers in the first half, Georgetown surrendered just one more in the final period in Monday’s loss to Louisville.

Area of Improvement: Georgetown’s -0.5 rebounding margin, pulling down just 32 a game came into full swing against Louisville, as the Hoyas corralled a miserable 23 total.

Overall Analysis: The Hoyas are just about off the life support for NCAA tournament hopes.  They had golden opportunities in their recent two home game stretch, but blew it with losses to Louisville and Marquette.  Now, instead of basking in a resume building win, Georgetown is in the midst of losing 9 of their last 11, and has as many Big East home losses-five-as it did in John Thompson III’s first four seasons combined.

12.  Seton Hall 14-12, 5-9, Stock: Falling

Last game: L 70-65 at St. John’s

Next game: Feb. 25 vs. South Florida

Current Streak: L 3

Postseason Status: None

Strong Point: The Pirates outshot St. John’s 47.1% to 36.5% against St. John’s, getting a solid 28 combined points from Robert Mitchell and John Garcia

Area of Improvement: The problem was, St. John’s outrebounded Seton Hall 49-31, as the Pirates shot just 8 of 16 from the charity stripe in the loss.

Overall Analysis: Seton Hall’s flame has burned out, losing three games, including a game that should have been theirs in St. John’s.  A highlight for Pirates’ fans came from talented guard Jeremy Hazell, who scored 22 points in the loss, and surpassed the 1,000 point milestone for his career in just his sophomore season.

13.  St. John’s 13-15, 4-11, Stock: Falling

Last game: L 87-58 vs. Syracuse

Next game: Feb. 28 at DePaul

Current Streak: L 1

Strong Point: D.J. Kennedy led all scorers with 21 points in the win over Seton Hall, while Justin Burrell checked in with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Area of Improvement: St. John’s has now lost 9 of their last 10 meetings with Syracuse, after losing Tuesday night.  They gave up their worst field goal percentage to an opposing team (64.9%), was outrebounded 34-24 and surrendered 18 turnovers.

Overall Analysis: The Red Storm hit a nice highlight in their hard-fought win over Seton Hall on Sunday, which was put in the books thanks to four straight clutch free throws from Kennedy in the waning seconds of the game. 

14.  South Florida 8-18, 3-11, Stock: Plummeted

Last game: L 64-50 at Connecticut

Next game: Feb. 25 at Seton Hall

Current Streak: L 4

Postseason Status: None

Strong Point: Dominique Jones, who scored 14 points in Saturday’s loss to Connecticut, is just one point shy from surpassing the 1,000 point plateau for the Bulls.

Area of Improvement: South Florida’s offense has hit an all-time low.  They haven’t scored over 63 points in eight straight games, including the entire month of February. 

Overall Analysis: In their 50 point outing against Connecticut, the Bulls shot just 21 of 65 from the floor (32.3%) and an even more embarrassing 5 of 24 from beyond-the-arc. That basically sums up the entire season for a team averaging a league-worst 57.9 points per game and field goal percentage of 39.1%.

15.  Rutgers 10-17, 1-13, Stock: Plummeted

Last game: L 74-56 vs. West Virginia

Next game: Feb. 25 at Notre Dame

Current Streak: L 5

Postseason Status: None

Strong Point: Guard Mike Rosario got back to his scoring ways, dropping 15 on a 6 of 9 night from the field in the loss to West Virginia.  He is a shoe-in for the Big East freshman of the year award.

Area of Improvement: Same story, different week for the Scarlet Knights.  They shoot an abysmal 29% from three point range this season, and they did not disappoint, going 5 of 16 vs. West Virginia.

Overall Analysis: Running off their awful stats would be pointless at this time of the season.  Right now, this is time to get Rosario and the youth of this team all the experience they can take in during this final stretch.

16.  DePaul 8-19, 0-14, Stock: Plummeted

Last game: L 80-61 at Pittsburgh

Next game: Feb. 25 vs. Villanova

Current Streak: L 14

Postseason Status: None

Strong Point: Forward Dar Tucker led DePaul with 18 points in the loss at Pittsburgh Saturday.  Guard Will Walker dropped 17 points, hitting five three pointers, including three of them on three straight possessions late in the second half.

Area of Improvement: Almost everything needs improvement.  An easier start would be to improve a lousy 60.8% from the free throw line, which is second to last in the league.

Overall Analysis: We get it, the Blue Demons just cannot win a game…but at least make it respectable when you lose.  DePaul is heading for the worst scoring margin in Big East conference history, with a ridiculous, unheard of -17.5 margin per game.  They have lost by 19 or more points in 6 of their last 7 games.  That is just not healthy, no matter what conference you play in.

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