Big East Wednesday

The matchup up between Villanova and Xavier today is the highest matchup of two ranked teams in the new Big East. Xavier is looking for revenge for their Big East opening loss at the Pavilion, where they lost by 31 after watching their starting PG Edmond Sumner get taken off the court on a stretcher roughly 2 mins into the game. Ever since their loss to Creighton Xavier has been playing some great basketball winning their last 3 by an average of 15 points. 

Chris Mack will have his team prepared to play this game and they also get to play home, but how will they respond to the hype surrounding the Top 5 matchup up? Nova has proven they can play big games as they have been ranked number 1 for te past 3 weeks and haven't seemed to feel the pressure of being th top ranked team in the country, and that's a credit to the leadership of Arcidiacono, Ochefu, and Hart. 

The Cintas center will be live tonight and expect the X-Men to come ready to play especially Sumner, but in the end I think the Cats will prove just too much to hadle and win a close close game and loc up the Bug East regular season title by doing so. 

The other game tonight is an extremely important game for at least one team involved. Creighton is looking to sneak in the tournament. Currently sitting at 17-10 and 8-6 in the Big East, ahead of two tournament teams Providence, and Butler.  With a current RPI of 83 they will have chances to improve that with games left against Providence and Xavier. Getting in may require them going 3-1 down the stretch and winning at least a game or 2 in the Conference tourney if not winning out. But if they are able to beat Providence and say Butler in a 4/5 Big East Tourney matchup? It certainly makes for an interesting discussion. As for tonight they keep the conversation alive with a win over Marquette. 

Come back tomorrow for some more Big games in the Big East that could decide who's still playing in 3 weeks. 

Wednesday night in the Big East

Two game on tap tonight in the Big East. Seton Hall hosts Butler, and Providence travels to Milwaukee to take on Marquette.

It feels like everyteam in the Big East is a bubble team. You have Seton Hall, Butler, Cerighton, and Georgetown competing for the same one or two bids which makes every game that much more important. Even Providence is no longer a lock unless they can get out of the tailspin they're currently in. 

Butler @ Seton Hall

The Pirates come in with a 4 game conference winning steak looking to make it 5 I a row for the longest streak since 2009. Butler after seeing themselves ranked as high as 9 in the polls to start the season are now at 5-6 in conference and need every win possible with 7 games left to secure a bid on Selection Sunday. These two teams currently sit in opposite sides of the bubble making this game all the more important. I'm taking the Pirates at home tonight where they are 12-3. Much was made post game after the Georgetwon win Saturday night about some fatigue well they have a week off after tonight's game so I'm expecting maximum effort and for their defense to control the game as it has done all year. Seton Hall continues to build a stron resume and Butler is left with more work to do in the last few weeks. 

Providence @ Marquette

In the second game of the night the reeling Friars take on Marquette, who came very close to pulling the upset of Xavier last week. Providence has been struggling losing 3 of their last 4 and Ben Bentil is still dealing with the ankle injury he suffered against DePaul, although you wouldn't know it by his play against Nova on the weekend. Marquette on the other hand has lost 2 straight but the Xavier game showed they can play with anyone and they play well at home. I think the post play for Marquette is the difference with Fischer and Ellenson controlling the paint. Marquette get the upset this time and Providence finds themselves outside the Top 25 on Monday. 

Big East Monday

It's the rare Big East Monday game. 

After a weekend that went as planned with Villanova getting revenge on Providence, Xavier pulling out the win or a game Marquette team, and Seton Hall picking up a huge win for their tournament resume against Georgetown, a team they may be competing against for an invite on Selection Sunday. We have the rare Conference game on a Momday night. 

Only two teams have to make the quick turnaround from Saturday when St.  John's visits Georgetown. In a game that the Hoyas will look to get back into the win coloum after 3 straight losses. They get a bit of a break with the winless Johnnies coming into town. While St. John's has been playing better as of late and I don't believe they will go winless in conference they won't get that first one tonight. Georgetown is too deep and too talented. Hoyas win 78-60

Just a few quick points from this weekends action. 

While I do have Xavier ahead of Villanova in my personal rankings. The Wildcats remain the team to beat in the conference. 

Seton Hall is making a very strong case for the NCAA tournament. If they can continue their good play they may even be a single did got seed. 

Xavier has been winning, but winning ugly. They had certainly not played great in some recent performances, but they have still been able to find ways to win. If they keep playing they way they have been though I think they could lose a game, say in the road at Creighton on Tursday?

Butler once a Top 10 teams finds itself squarely on the bubble and have a game against Seton Hall that carriers a lot of weight for both teams. 

Football seaso is officially over so fasten your seat belts for a wild finish and gear up for March baby. It's the best time of the year.