Big East Notebook
George Rodecker, Columnist
Leading Off
Despite all the distractions, Syracuse is the No. 1 team in the nation’s polls at 13-0. While that likely will change after BIG EAST games begin, it’s pretty damn amazing that everyone was able enough to stay focused and play so well in the unsettled early going. And they have some info to back it all up. ‘Cuse is fifth nationally in scoring margin at 22.2, lead the nation in steals at 11.6 and turnover margin with 8.6. All this to supplement the 15th best offense scoring in the country at an 80.8 clip per game - - - without even having a top 20 scorer in the conference. Jim Boeheim has perhaps the best collection of team players at any time in his Orange career. The depth is strong, no, make that very strong, and this might be the year he cuts down some netting once more.
Morning coffee companion
Louisville was heading to a crushing defeat against Charleston when Russ Smith made all the difference.
A look at what is helping make Seton Hall’s Herb Pope a potential All American.
Respected long-time Syracuse Orange/BIG EAST beat guy Mike Waters tackles a few questions in his readers mailbag including whether Jim Calhoun’s won/lost record will be credited during his three BIG EAST game suspension.
If you don’t know why the Georgetown Hoya student section chants “Otto-matic” here’s the story.
Numbers to know
The Louisville Cardinals are averaging 21,064 fans so far this season through 11 games. That’s more than three major league baseball teams: Florida, Tampa and Oakland. The 21,064 mark is more than 29 of the 30 (the Bulls) NBA teams from last season, and all but two (Chicago and Montreal) of the 30 NHL teams from 2010-2011.
Around the BIG EAST
Over the last four games, the Cincinnati Bearcats have averaged 93.8 ppg and shot 54.4 percent from the field.
DePaul is off to its best start through 12 games since the 1999-2000 season when they also began 9-3. Oliver Purnell has the Blue Demons off and running!
Pittsburgh has lost back-to-back games for just the seventh time in coach Jamie Dixon’s nine-year tenure, and they’ll look to stop the bleeding on New Year’s Day hosting Cincinnati.
New Head Coach Ed Cooley has the Friars of Providence off to an
11-3 start as he quickly puts his stamp on the program.
Saint John’s Moe Harkless broke the freshman debut BIG EAST scoring record when he dropped in 32 points in 91-67 homecourt win a over Providence. The previous mark was 30 points, held by both Troy Murphy of Notre Dame and Allen Iverson of Georgetown.
To date, the South Florida Bulls are undefeated at home (7-0) but haven’t won a game (0-6) on the road.
The Rant
The Cincinnati/Xavier game seems to be fading from memory rather quickly, and the actions of the players go right along with it. But there’s something that continues to rub me the wrong way.
Hypothetically if a melee happened in the stands during the time that the Musketeer-Bearcat melee was happening on the court, I’m pretty sure that all the involved fans would have been arrested, booked, fingerprinted and given a court date to appear and face criminal charges.
So can anyone tell me what’s the difference between people acting like jerks in the stands and people acting like jerks on a court?
Looking Ahead: The week in preview
If you’re looking for something to do before all the
partying on New Year’s Eve, then find a seat at noon Eastern
ime and watch a rivalry game the equal of anything in NCAA Division
I basketball. No. 4 Louisville heads over to Lexington and a
matchup against No. 3 Kentucky in an in-state contest that is every
bit as big a deal as UNC versus Duke or any other.
Kentucky’s ridiculously potent offense will contend with
Louisville’s smothering defense. It’s the SEC
versus the BIG East, it’s the Cardinals versus the Wildcats,
and on a grander stage, yeah, it’s Pitino versus
Calipari.
West Virginia (9-3) visits Seton Hall (11-1) for a matchup pitting the Hall’s Herb Pope and WVU’s Kevin Jones. The Mountaineers Jones is tops in both scoring and rebounding among BIG EAST teams while Pope follows a close second in a No. 1 versus No. 2 early season battle in conference play.
Let the fireworks begin!
Happy New Year!
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