Tournaments & Events

BREAKING DOWN BIG EAST DANCE OPPONENTS: ROBERT MORRIS

by RAY MERNAGH

#15 vs. #2 Villanova, 12:30 PM (Providence)

Robert Morris tries to shock the world early Thursday in a 2 vs 15 pairing with Villanova.

RMU has tough kids, led by frosh guard Karon Abraham who puts up 13 points a game. They also have veteran bigs in Dallas Green (6′8″, 210) and Rob Robinson (6′8″, 215) — both are seniors that can run the floor and make shots (particularly Green who’s made arguably the biggest BASKETS in Colonials history both this March and last) and they both shoot over 50%. Velton Jones and Mezie Nwigwe round out the starting lineup. RMU’s coach Mike Rice will go eight deep with guys that get 13 minutes a game or more.

This team is littered with kids from the Philly area who will be AMPED up to face Villanova. As a team the Colonials average 68 points and give up 65. They turn the ball over though so that could be their main undoing against Nova. If they do lose I’d be shocked if Rice isn’t announced at another school within a short period of time. He’s put in his time at the NEC school and can leave with his head held high knowing the foundation and successor are firmly in place. With the Seton Hall opening, among others, we’re wondering if Rice will bypass the A-10 level and go straight to a Big Six-type job. Word on the street is that Fordham is his if he wants it at somewhere between 400-500 K a year, but Rice, who’s been incredible both winning games and bringing in talent via his recruiting connections, could have much bigger options at this point. It says here that the AD that hires him will be making an intelligent call because the fiery Rice has what it takes to be a big-time coach.

Tickets to Providence pod for games involving ‘Nova and Bobby Mo, among others…

– Dunkin Donuts Center (Providence, RI)

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 1 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 2 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 3 (Second Round) March 20 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Strip (Inlucdes all Three Sessions) March 18 2010

2010 NCAA TOURNAMENT PRIMER: THURSDAY

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Let the Madness begin! The 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off today at 12:20 PM with Florida and Duke in Oklahoma City.

On this opening day of the tournament four of the eight Big East teams will be in action with Villanova and Notre Dame in action this afternoon while Georgetown and Marquette begin their tournament experiences this evening.

Below is today’s primer on the Big East-related match-ups and resources for fans to purchase tickets to any of these games this first weekend. For the opportunity to purchase tickets for any other location or round of the tournament, please visit our 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament information and ticket page HERE!

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/17/2010) – BOBBY GONZALEZ FIRED?

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The 2010 postseason got under way last night and it was not a great night for Big East teams. While Connecticut survived a challenge from Northeastern to win their opening NIT contest, South Florida fell at home to North Carolina State on a late Wolfpack bucket and Seton Hall was blown out of their own building. The loss by the Pirates has but a cap on a bizarre couple of days and last night might have truly been ‘Rock’ bottom at the Prudential Center.

In fact, the display, among other incidents over the last few years seems to have ended the Bobby Gonzalez era at the school as the NJO is reporting that Gonzalez Has Been Forced out at Seton Hall.

Tonight Cincinnati and St. John’s are in action while half the league is preparing for the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament that tips off on Thursday afternoon.

Read on for more from last night’s NIT action with the Big East and stay tuned to more on the SHU coaching situation. Also, a decision on the Rutgers position also will be coming in the very near future. Stay tuned…

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SETON HALL GOES DOWN SWINGING, BUT WITHOUT A FIGHT

By Ray Floriani

NEWARK, NJ – A week ago Seton Hall still had hopes of a bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Now the season is over. The Pirates were handed a quick exit by Texas Tech, 87-69 in the opening round of the NIT at the Prudential Center. The three key points:

1. Herb Pope’s ejection. Seton Hall’s outstanding sophomore forward was ejected just under 6 minutes into the game for a flagrant foul. The first few times down the floor Pope and Darko Cohadarevic of Texas Tech jostled for position. “Herb thought he was getting pushed and retaliated,” Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez said. “I didn’t get a good look at what Herb did but the officials were adamant in tossing him. I told Herb you can’t retaliate, you just have to keep your head and play through things.”

Minus Pope the burden fell on John Garcia and Ferrakohn Hall to produce. Garcia, playing in what would be his last Seton Hall game, had a creditable 7 point, 10 rebound effort. Hall was not much of a factor with two points and four boards.

2. Defense. Texas Tech coach Pat Knight pointed out his team does not have trouble putting points on the board. The defensive end is another thing. “We had a lot of games we gave up 80 points,” Knight said. “Seventy is our cutoff. We give up under 70 we are tough to beat.” Tech gave up 69 and in the process limited the Hall to 35% shooting from the floor that included a 5 of 26 mark from beyond the arc.

3. Here’s to you Mr. Robinson. With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel…Jeff Robinson was the only consistent performer for Seton Hall. The junior forward scored a game-high 23 points, added 12 rebounds and did a little of everything for the Pirates. Unfortunately for the Hall, Robinson had little or no help. Jeremy Hazell, with a bad back, struggled through a 6 point night and was 0 for 4 from three. Eugene Harvey, also playing in his last game, added 12 points and 6 assists. It was not enough.

“Jeff (Robinson) was spectacular,” Gonzalez said. “But for us to win we need contributions from Herb Pope and Jeremy Hazell. Herb (Pope) was gone and Jeremy (Hazell) had one of his poorer offensive games. He wasn’t at full strength but also cedit Texas Tech’s defense for that (Hazell’s performance) as well.”

Texas Tech had five players in double figures, a well-rounded attack. Guard John Roberson led the way with 22 points. Junior forward D’Walyn Roberts had a well rounded 12 point 11 rebound effort. The 6-9 Cohadarevic showed the ability to step outside (12 points) while battling inside (9 rebounds). Tech shot 30 of 60 (50%) for the game. Gonzalez said he broke down about four tapes of Tech in preparation but, “tonight they stepped up and hit some shots they normally do not make.”

Tough night overall for the Big East as NC State edged South Florida and UConn held on for dear life just getting by Northeastern by two in Storrs.

Some teams enter the NIT with disappointment. Not Texas Tech as Knight noted there was about a three week stretch when the Red Raiders lost several close games. The NCAA picture was basically out so his team refocused on getting to the NIT. “We are thrilled to be here,” Knight said. The Tech mentor also commented on his respect for the tournament. “That goes back with my father who admires this tournament so much. In fact my middle name is Clair after Clair Bee (a coaching legend with success in early NITs).”

Texas Tech advanced to 18-15 and the Hall finished at 19-13. “We had nineteen wins and were 9-9 in the best conference in the country,” Gonzalez said. “We had a successful season. You just have to look at the whole body of work not just tonight.”

Attendance was a disappointing 1,829. The atmosphere was also devoid of any excitement. It felt like two teams were playing a 3 p.m. game in a neutral site two time zones away. Unfortunately the only energy in the crowd was supplied by a sparse Seton Hall student section under one basket. They began with ‘Robert Mitchell’ chants, in support of the Hall junior recently put off the team. Later through the evening the chants changed to ‘fire Bobby..’.

Sad way to end what was the first post season tournament since 2006.

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BIG EAST PATH TO 2010 NCAA FINAL FOUR: GEORGETOWN

The lone Big East representative in the Midwest Region of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the Georgetown Hoyas coached by John Thompson III.

Fresh off a run to the 2010 Big East Tournamanet championship game the Hoyas grab the No. 3 seed in the Midwest and will take on the MAC conference tournament champion Ohio Bobcats Thursday night in the Dunkin’ Donuts center in Providence (RI).

It was an up and down regular season for Georgetown as they finished 10-8 in the Big East. In recent years Providence (2009) and Syracuse (2007) won 10 Big East conference games and did not make the NCAA Tournament while the Hoyas not only made it but received a No. 3 seed. It gives a glimpse of the Hoyas’ potential as they have knocked off two No. 1 seeds this season (SU and Duke) as well as Pitt (No. 3) on the road, Bulter (No. 5) on a neutral floor and Villanova (No. 2) as some of their biggest wins. On the downside the Hoyas lost at home to South Florida and on the road to Rutgers demonstrating some of the highs and lows of the season.

“I told the players I think Georgetown is capable of beating anybody any night,” Jim Boeheim said after the Hoyas’ upset No. 1 seeded SU in the Big East Tournament last week.

The Hoyas were the final victim of the Da’Sean Butler rampage in the Big East Tournament as the WVU senior scored in the waning seconds to beat Georgetown Saturday night. The Big East Tournament run for the Hoyas saw them reach a four-game winning streak which came on the heels of four losses in their previous five games as the plummetted in the national rankings. Now they must be re-motivated and shrug off the disappointment coming up short in New York City and prepare for the Big Dance.

“No it’s March. And there’ no time to take a breath and pat yourself on the back in March,” said JT III last week. “Your next opponent is very good. Your next opponent is very well coached. Your next opponent is trying to kick your behind. So no, we weren’t satisfied at all.”

That newx opponents is the Ohio Bobcats, the No. 13 seed in the Midwest bracket coming off a MAC Conference Tournament championship. John Groce’s club is a bit of a Cinderella story as they were just 7-9 in conference play this year before running off four consecituve wins in Cleveland last week to take the MAC crown. Former Indiana guard Armon Bassett scored 25 points and freshman DJ Cooper scored 23 in the overtime win against Akron, 81-75.

The Bobcats have not had much high-major experience on the season, losing 74-49 at Pittsburgh in December, so facing the Hoyas is a tall order. Ohio has just one player taller than 6-foot-8 on their roster and the Hoyas will start a pair with Julian Vaughn and their versatile big man Greg Monroe.

“He’s the best inside passer in college basketball easily,” said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim after Monroe scored 15 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had 7 assists in a 91-84 upset of the Orange in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals last week. “And he can score in there [too].”

The Hoyas are not very deep, but increased production from freshman Hollis Thompson off the bench and a more consistent level of production from Jason Clark on the perimeter was a big factor in the conference tournament run. While foul trouble and/or bad games from any two of the Hoyas’ big guns such as Monroe, Chris Wright and Austin Freeman could put them in deep trouble, it might not be nearly as severe as it was a month ago with others coming of age. So despite their rough stretch towards the end of the regular season the mindset of the Hoyas has their coach pleased.

“I don’t think this group has ever lost confidence in what we’re doing [or] lost confidence in each other,” said John Thompson III. “And that’s still true right now. I like where we are going into the NCAA Tournament.”

if the Hoyas avoid a first round upset Thursday night in Providence (RI) they will face the winner of the nightcap in the evening session between No. 6 Tennessee and the 11th seeded Aztecs of San Diego State. The Vols had their five-game winning streak snapped in a blowout loss in the SEC semifinals to Kentucky, the same team they started their winning streak with a 74-65 win over in Knoxville on February 27th. SDSU was a surprise winner of the Mountain West Tournament upsetting New Mexico and UNLV, both received at-large invitations, to earn the conference’s automatic bid.

Getting past the first weekend in Providence would send Georgetown to St. Louis for the Midwest Regionals and a possible date with Ohio State. The two programs are no stranger in March Madness with the Hoyas winning a second round contest in 2006 in Dayton (OH) while the Buckeyes exacted some revenge with a Final Four vctory led by Greg Oden the following year in Atlanta (GA). Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech are the 7/10 match-up that will hope to advance past Thad Matta’s club into the Sweet 16.

The other half of the Midwest bracket is headed by overall No. 1 seed Kansas. The Jayhawks will face Lehigh in the opening round and then the 8/9 winner between UNLV and Northern Iowa in the second round. If they can escape unscathed in their opening pair of games KU will have a huge following in St. Louis for the Midwest Regionals. Other top seeds in the Midwest aiming for the Jayhawks prior to the Elite 8 include Maryland (4) and Michigan State (5).

The Hoyas will also have an early round advantage with a familiarity with the first two rounds’ site as they defeated Providence College in a Big East regular season match-up, 79-70, back on February 9th. Below Georgetown fans can find the links to purchase tickets to follow their team every step of the way during the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament:

– Dunkin Donuts Center (Providence, RI)

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 1 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 2 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 3 (Second Round) March 20 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Strip (Inlucdes all Three Sessions) March 18 2010
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March 26th and 28th:

– Midwest Region: Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis)

NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Tickets – Session 1 (Semifinals) March 26 2010

NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Tickets – Session 2 (Final) March 28 2010

NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Tickets – Strip (Includes both Semifinals and the Finals) March 26 2010
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NCAA Tournament Final Four:

April 3rd & April 5th

– Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)

2010 Final Four Tickets – Session 1 (Semifinals) April 3 2010

2010 Final Four Tickets – Session 2 (Championship) April 5 2010

2010 Final Four Tickets – Strip (Includes both Semifinals and the Championship) April 3 2010

BREAKING DOWN BIG EAST DANCE OPPONENTS: OLD DOMINION

by RAY MERNAGH

#11 vs. #6 Notre Dame, (New Orleans, LA), 12:25 PM.

The Monarchs, an #11 seed with a 26-8 record, are very good.

Notre Dame is no doubt concerned because of all the matchups they could’ve gotten, ODU is quite possibly the worst for the Irish’s new ball control style in the entire tournament. ODU averages 67.5 points a game and holds opponents to 57.1. The CAA is a league that rivals the A-10 a lot of years. So Notre Dame’s style is kind of ODU’s style, except ODU has been doing it a lot longer

I can feel your skepticism — “who have they beaten Ray?”

How about Georgetown at McDonough Arena, the Hoyas 2,400 capacity bandbox that they never lose in. In fact you know how many schools have one in McDonough since 1982?

One.

Got your attention yet? Good. ODU had an 18-point lead in the second half of that game and were able to withstand the expected G-Town run, leading wire-to-wire in a 61-57 win.

The Monarchs are a team full of experienced vets. Leading the way is Gerald Lee, 6′10″ Finnish import who put up 14.6 points a game. Lee grabs a modest 4.9 rebounds a game but is a terrific marksman. He shoots 54% from the field and 76% from the line, and while he doesn’t take a lot of three-pointers he makes the ones he does take (7-11 on the year). Lee is All CAA first team.

Frank Hassell is a 6′8″, 245 pound RS Junior. Hassell shoots it a tad better than Lee (54.7%) and collects about 7 boards a game while scoring right around 9 points. Hassell was very big in the win over Georgetown (10points, 7 boards, 3 steals and a block).

Ben Finney is a 6′5″, 220 pound Junior guard/forward that scores 8.8 and boards at a rate of just about 6 a game. Finney is a good distributor and fills up a lot of different categories statistically. The Portsmouth, Virginia product is relentless on the offensive glass and will hurt you if you don’t get a body on him.

Kent Bazemore is a 6′5″ RS Sophomore out of North Carolina. Bazemore is a lockdown defender who also gives you 8.4 points and 4.2 boards from the guard/small forward spot whoile shooting 48%. Bazemore is a good facilitator (113 assists on the yr vs 67 turnovers.

Blaine Taylor’s club has won five straight games heading into this first round game vs the Fighting Irish. The Monarchs play about 9-10 guys and switch up defenses on you while rebounding the snot out of the ball 39.2 boards a game(+9 on the year).

The Irish may have their work cut out for them.

Tickets to the New Orleand pod involving the Irish and Monarchs:

March 18th and 20th:

– New Orleans Arena (New Orleans, LA)

NCAA Tournament New Orleans Tickets – Session 1 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament New Orleans Tickets – Session 2 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament New Orleans Tickets – Session 3 (Second Round) March 20 2010

NCAA Tournament New Orleans Tickets – Strip (Includes all Three Sessions) March 18 2010

BIG EAST PATH TO 2010 FINAL FOUR: PITTSBURGH

At the beginning of the season if someone said that one of the three No. 1 seeds out of the Big East from 2009 would not make the Big Dance in 2010 the guess would have probably been unanimous that Pittsburgh would be on the outside looking in come Selection Sunday. The guess probably would have remaining the same right into early January…but, it would have been wrong.

Jamie Dixon and the Panthers completed the regular season as the No. 2 seed in the Big East Tournament in the strength of a 13-5 conference mark and their 24-8 record was good enough to earn a No. 3 seed in the West Region of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The 2009 Elite Eight participant will begin their quest to reach their elusive Final Four on Friday afternoon in Milwaukee (WI) when they take on the No. 14 seed in the West, Oakland.

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BREAKING DOWN BIG EAST DANCE OPPONENTS: OHIO UNIVERSITY

by RAY MERNAGH

#14 Ohio vs #3 Georgetown (Providence, RI), 7:25 PM.

The Bobcats have been playing very strong when it counts. I called John Groce’s hiring a home run when it happened and he’s proven it a year earlier than most expected. With Ohio you have to start in the back court because that’s where they can kill you. Armon Bassett, yes the one-time Indiana guard who had a brief stopover at UAB, can put up major points in a hurry. Bassett was one of those high risk/high reward additions for Groce (who’s known the kid since he was very young). The reward has paid huge dividends. Bassett is a big talent, has breakneck speed plus a handle and can bury shots from deep as well as get to the rim and finish. He also can find open shooters like Tommy Freeman (Freeman has 15 games with three treys or more and shoots it at a remarkable 47%). Freeman will also find people in open space with the pass and sacrifice his body to take open-court charges, which he did a number of times in the MAC tournament to players not paying attention and running with their heads down. DJ Cooper is Ohio’s point guard and is the MAC’s freshmen of the year. Cooper is a long-armed baby-faced kid with moxie and game. He gets to the rim, a streaky three shooter (30%) and finds people after the bounce breakdown. The 5′11″ Chicago native puts up 13 points, 6 dimes and collects almost 6 boards a game. He and Bassett are a high-major backcourt that will be at the top of the Georgetown scouting report.

The X factor for Ohio on the player side — if they are to have a chance at a remarkable upset — will be their bigs. DeVaughn Washington is a 6′8″ junior who brings a high level of athleticism to the table. Washington will have to provide some resistance defensively without getting into foul trouble and score a bit. Kenneth Van Kampen is a Dutch kid with size, 6′10″ 250, who has turned into a decent 12-15 foot shooter. The Bobcats can also throw two young bigs into the mix in Ivo Baltic and Reggie Keely who both go 6′8″. Keely had a stretch when Washington was out for five games when he came alive a bit. Asown Sayles is a junior with a Big East body, 6′6″ 228, who could really help matching up with the Hoyas bigger wings.

Groce will have a very good gameplan but the problem will be implementing it against Georgetown’s size and skill. If Monroe and either Freeman or Wright have poor games or foul trouble, Ohio has a slim chance, with their talent and coaching, to shock the world.

Tickets to the Providence pod involving the Hoyas and Bobcats:

– Dunkin Donuts Center (Providence, RI)

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 1 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 2 March 18 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Session 3 (Second Round) March 20 2010

NCAA Tournament Providence Tickets – Strip (Inlucdes all Three Sessions) March 18 2010

BIG EAST PATH TO 2010 FINAL FOUR: SYRACUSE

In 2009 the Big East conference set a NCAA Tournament record with three No. 1 seeds as Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Louisville garnered top seeds in last year’s March Madness brackets. While only one Big East team was honred with a No. 1 seed in 2010 the conference is still expected to play a major role in determining this year’s national champion as the conference has a total of five teams seeded as a No. 3 or better.

The leader of the bunch is Syracuse, the No. 1 seed in the West. The Orange were the 2009-2010 Big East regular season champions, finishing with a conference record of 15-3 and an overall mark of 28-4. The Orange hope their 2010 postseason goes at least as far as one of the 2009 No. 1 seeds out of the Big East that they have a lot of similarities to on paper as we countdown to tip-off of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

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MERNAGH: BIG EAST TOURNAMENT WAS BUTLER’S TIME

by RAY MERNAGH

“Da’Sean Butler is the best basketball player in the Big East.”

Those words were uttered by an NBA scout, a guy I respect, back in January of this year.

And while I didn’t scoff at him, I also wasn’t completely buying it.

Butler was definitely one of the top five players in the Big East, maybe even in the top three, but the best?

Really?

“He does whatever they need him to do Raymond,” the scout scolded me — no doubt seeing the doubt in my face. “That’s what this Butler kid does, his will to win is off the charts.”

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NCAA TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE FOR BIG EAST

NCAA Tournament pairings information and ticket resources for Big East teams

The tournament selection committee has set the field of 65 and now the action of March Madness truly gets underway beginning on Tuesday with the play-in game and Thursday and Friday with the first round of the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Once again the Big East led all conferences with eight teams selected including the No. 1 seed in the West Region, Syracuse. The Orange open their quest for Jim Boeheim’s fourth Final Four appearance in Buffalo on Friday against 16th seed Vermont. Of course there is some NCAA Tournament history between the two schools as the Catamounts upset the No. 4 seed Orange in an opening round game in overtime back in 2005.

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2010 BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP WAS DA’SEAN’S TOURNAMENT

By Anthony Jaskulski

Heroic efforts and exemplary moments are not scarce in the Big East tournament.

In 2006, Gerry McNamara rocked the tournament for four days, hitting buzzer-beaters and shocking every opponent his Syracuse Orange played to reach the title.

In 2009, Syracuse and Connecticut went to an epic six overtime periods to decide a 127-117 Orange victory. The game lasted for 3 hours and 46 minutes.

But this year, Da’Sean Butler’s story could be added to the classics played in the past. Butler played three games in three days that made everybody who watched ask exactly how thin is that line between reality and just plain impossible?

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WEST VIRGINIA TAKES BIG EAST TITLE

Mountaineers win on the heels of Da’Sean Butler

By Anthony Jaskulski

He did it again.

Arguably the most clutch shooter in the history of West Virginia basketball, Da’Sean Butler showed exactly why he is the go-to man.

And while he’s hit six game-winning shots for the Mountaineers this year, none was as big as Saturday night’s.

With just four seconds left, the senior did what he does best, and drove from the top of the key to the paint, where he then fired up an acrobatic floater that dropped giving West Virginia (27-6) the 60-58 advantage and eventual win over Georgetown (23-10) in the 2010 Big East tournament championship game at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

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2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: CHAMPIONSHIP PRIMER

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The 2010 Big East Tournament has reached it’s end-point as Georgetown and West Virginia will meet at 9 PM tonight under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden for the conference tournament championship.

If you can get to NYC, there are still tickets available to be purchased and the links below (or at our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page) provide the resources to find seats with Stub Hub’s guarantee for fans to have their tickets in hand prior to the game, even at this last minute…

The remaining Big East Conference Tournament Schedule…

Championship, Saturday March 13th:

Session 8:

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 8 (Championship) March 13 2010

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2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: DAY THREE RECAP

by RAY FLORIANI and MATT WHITFIELD

NEW YORK CITY – The quaterfinals of the 2010 Big East Tournament served as reminder, as if we needed one, as how tough and unforgiving this conference is. Also, how interesting and exciting for those of us watching and/or analyzing.

The Scores:

Georgetown 91, Syracuse 84

Marquette 80, Villanova 76

Notre Dame 50, Pittsburgh 45

West Virginia 54, Cincinnati 51

Ray’s ten points of emphasis from Thursday…

1. Syracuse exited the tournament one and done. For Orange faithful, the weekend to quote Steeley Dan, “didn’t turn out as you planned”. Orange fans can also take solace from 2003. That year they won a quarterfinal game before being eliminated by UCONN in the semis. Less than a month later they cut the nets down in New Orleans. ESPN reported no team lost its first conference tournament game and won the national title. Interesting, but right now Syracuse is concerned with Arinze Onuaku who exited the Georgetown game with a knee strain that needed further evaluation.

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DOUBLE-BYE A CURSE IN BIG EAST TOURNAMENT

‘Nova and Pitt join Syracuse out the MSG door heading into final quarterfinal game

In the unique, 16-team tournament format in the Big East conference the top four regular season finishers breeze into the quarterfinals with a double-bye. The reward for finishing at the top of the grueling and competitive 18 game conference schedule would seem to be a significant one and an advantage in the conference tournament played annually at Madison Square Garden.

Not so fast.

This year in the 2010 Big East Tournament the double-bye has acted more of a curse as Syracuse. Villanova and Pittsburgh all recipients of a double-bye for their outstanding regular seasons, fell one-by-one over the course of the first three quarterfinal contests Thursday.

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LANCE STEPHENSON AT HOME UNDER GARDEN LIGHTS

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While an extended stay in New York City and Madison Square Garden is something new to most of the Cincinnati Bearcats on Mick Cronin’s roster, there is one player that is an old pro at playing under the bright lights and scrutiny that the Garden brings.

The NBE Big East Freshman of the Year Lance Stephenson was a New York City basketball prodigy since he was in 6th grade and the legend of the player known as ‘Born Ready’ grew to a climax as Stephenson led Lincoln High School to four consecutive PSAL championships on the Garden floor. This week he returned home hoping to help the Bearcats turn around a season that has not lived up to the preseason expectations heaped upon them by adding Stephenson to an experienced returning cast.

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2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: THURSDAY PRIMER

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The 2010 Big East Tournament has reached the quarterfinal round and what better way to tip-off the action than with a match-up between Syracuse and Georgetown at high noon in Madison Square Garden. I am sure many fans will be joining Digger Phelps on a long lunch today. If you can get to NYC, there are still tickets available to be purchased and the links below provide the resources to find seats with Stub Hub’s guarantee for fans to have their tickets in hand prior to the game, even at this last minute…

The remaining Big East Conference Tournament Schedule…

QUARTERFINALS: THURSDAY, MARCH 11th:

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 5 March 11 2010

1) Syracuse vs. 8] Georgetown, 12 noon.
4) Villanova vs. 5) Marquette, 2 PM.

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 6 March 11 2010

2) Pittsburgh vs. 7) Notre Dame, 7 PM.
3) West Virginia vs. 11) Cincinnati, 9 PM.

Semifinals, Firday March 12th:

Session 7:

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 7 (Semifinals) March 12 2010

Championship, Saturday March 13th:

Session 8:

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 8 (Championship) March 13 2010

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2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: DAY TWO RECAP

by RAY FLORIANI and MATT WHITFIELD

NEW YORK CITY – Day two at the 2010 Big East Tournament is complete and one thing is definitely certain, we will have a new champion.

The scores:

Georgetown 69, South Florida 49

Marquette 57, St. John’s 55

Notre Dame 68, Seton Hall 56

Cincinnati 69, Louisville 66

Ray’s ten points of emphasis from Wednesday…

1. Georgetown did it the old fashioned way. They defended the heck out of South Florida. Dominique Jones of USF had 21 points to lead all scorers but the Bulls outstanding junior talent had no one to lend a helping hand. Credit the Hoya defense that forced South Florida into a 29% afternoon from the field.

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BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: MERNAGH’S THOUGHTS ON DAY I

by RAY MERNAGH

USF 58 DePaul 49

A lot is being made about South Florida winning without scoring from outside a few feet and I’ll concede it’s one of the more stranger things I’ve seen in a long time.

But it also points to the control that Stan Heath has over this squad. The Bulls finished 0-8 from three but only took two of those in the second half.

Why? Because they didn’t have to make three’s or a lot of jump shots to beat DePaul. Heat told them that and they executed their game plan of getting to the rim.

Today against Georgetown they’ll have to hit some J’s, but because they realized they didn’t need to yesterday they got to today.

It’s all about advancing folks.

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