Big East Notebook
George Rodecker, Big East Columnist
Syracuse has raced off to a 20-0 and is the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation, and will remain so until someone beats them. But until then, expect Jim Boeheim to continue to climb to new and newer heights on the all time NCAA Division I coaching wins list. The Orange’s recent victory over Pitt was Boeheim’s 876th, tying him with the legendary Adolph Rupp (Kentucky). Three more and Dean Smith is tied at 879 and that could happen before January is over dependant on remaining undefeated. Next up is Bobby Knight’s 902 and that should be during next season’s pre-conference schedule.
Once that milestone is hurdled, all that remains from being numero uno is some guy in North Carolina named Krzyzewski.
Required Reading
Connecticut’s freshman sensation Ryan Boatright continues to struggle more with eligibility than with opposing defenses. The latest issue apparently comes via his mother’s ex-boyfriend.
The South Florida Bulls were picked for 14th in the 16 team BIG EAST. So why are they 11-8, 4-2?
While the celebrated Doctor Martin Luther King’s Day has just passed, some members of the Saint John’s basketball offered interesting insights into a man long dead before their own birth.
Numbers to know
Stan Heath has had only one season with more than five BIG EAST victories: 2009-2010 when his South Florida Bulls went 9-9. They’ve never had a winning conference season. But now, without even one player in the top 30 conference scoring, they’re already 4-2.
How you ask?
The 15th lowest point scoring team in the conference at 60.6 points per game is also the stingiest defense at 59.4 points surrendered. Their ability to limit opponents rebounding: 29 per contest, is good for first, while on the offensive side of the game they have poor numbers, except their number one free throw shooting team at 78.6%. The only number to really know about South Florida is its current four BIG EAST wins and the potential to surpass the 9-9 and have its first ever winning record in the conference.
Stat footnote – the Bulls have the worst home attendance in the conference with an average of 3,999 per game. C’mon people, get out and support your Bulls!
What I did & didn’t know
What I did know was that Kemba Walker was the heart and soul of last season’s national champions – and that he would be extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, to replace. The impact of his departure has made Connecticut mortal, vulnerable and beatable. You don’t replace an all time legendary player/leader and not skip a beat. The Huskies have skipped quite a few beats so far this season.
What I didn’t know and could never have imagined is that Cincinnati would go 10-1 post brawl. It looked like UC was about to go Titanic and sink the season. Now they sit in second place behind Syracuse (didn’t know the ‘Cuse would break out of the gate 20-0).
Around the BIG EAST
Cincinnati continues its quest towards being an upper echelon
team in the conference and its recent win AT Connecticut is just
another notch in their 2011-2012 belt. Sean Kilpatrick sealed
the 70-67 win with a three pointer with 2.5 ticks left on the
clock. The Bearcats: 15-4/5-1 face West Virginia, Syracuse
and Rutgers before a trap game against a very underrated
DePaul. Mick Cronin’s ‘Cats have the opportunity
to remain in the driver’s seat, but will be well challenged
to do so. However since their infamous Skyline Chili
Crosstown Shootout (or punch-out) with Xavier on December 10th
Cronin has coached his squad to an amazing 10-1 record despite
distractions, suspensions and a tough schedule.
What’s wrong with Villanova? Apparently not as much as before they got by Seton Hall 84-76. They begin a stretch of winnable games against Saint John’s Louisville, Marquette, Pitt and Providence. If they are in fact for real, they could be over 500 before February ends, and the get-hot homestretch of BIG EAST play begins, thus regaining some of their lost mojo.
Looking Ahead: The week in preview
Georgetown hosting Rutgers on the 21st may tell us a lot about each team. Is Rutgers for real? Are the Hoyas a national threat? Lets see.
Louisville host Villanova on the 25th before heading to Seton Hall on the 28th as they look to emerge from the muck their season is potentially sinking in.
South Florida can build on their surprising season with wins against DePaul on the 22nd, Marquette on the 24th, and Providence to end the month on the 29th. Then we should know just what to make of this years edition.
Roadie's Rant
This Ryan Boatright story continues to potentially hold UConn’s season in the balance. Eligible, not eligible, suspended, cleared to play, not cleared to play.
So the young man must now sit while we see if this allegation from his mother’s ex-boyfriend is indeed true or just a lover’s spat.
That’s the trap you see. The first violation that cost the Aurora, Illinois, native six games for accepting an airline ticket from AAU coach Reggie Rose was reported by Boatright’s mother’s ex-boyfriend. Now we get another allegation of the same type violation from the same ex-boyfriend.
Enough already!
Hey NCAA – c’mon, one investigation per season. Okay?
Hey accuser - give us ALL the alleged dirt – all at one time.
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Mick Cronin photo courtesy Univ. of Cincinnati Sports Information
