NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Big East Tournament Preview: Everyone Is Playing, Except Bubble Teams

Chas Rich — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Cincinnati, Connecticut, DePaul, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Big East

The Big East Tournament gets underway Tuesday, and this year the Big East Tournament (BET) matches the construction of the conference -- oversized, a bit confusing and very clearly divided.

The Big East at this point has seven teams that are definitely going to the NCAA tournament and one team that lies way out on the fringe of the bubble. This year, the BET is all about teams trying to improve or maintain their projected seeding for the Big Dance.For the first time, the BET includes all 16 teams. The Big East, though, did not want the top teams to have to play too many games in a row before the NCAA Tournament or risk damaging their seed with the possibility of a really bad loss. To protect the top teams, the top four get a double-bye and do not play until Thursday. The next four teams seeded from No. 5 to No. 8 get a first-day bye. That leaves teams No. 9 through 16 to face each other.

Those teams in the bottom half have no chance of going to the NCAA Tournament, and to win the BET they would have to win five games in five days. The odds are prohibitively stacked against that. So much so, that the opening day is not televised anywhere. There are free webcasts at the Big East site.

Matchups

Tuesday: DePaul (16) vs. Cinci (9); St. John's (13) vs. Georgetown (12); Rutgers (15) vs. Notre Dame (10); USF (14) vs. Seton Hall (11).
Wednesday: 16/9 Winner vs. Providence (8); 13/12 Winner vs. Marquette (5); 15/10 Winner vs. West Virginia (7); 14/11 Winner vs. Syracuse (6)

You can view the bracket and times here (PDF).

What Teams Want

Playing for No. 1 Seed: Pitt, UConn and Louisville
Trying to improve seed: Villanova, Syracuse, Marquette and West Virginia
Hoping to find a golden ticket: Providence
Next stop, NIT: Notre Dame, Georgetown, Cinci
Where is the CBI: Seton Hall, St. John's
Just stopping by to say hello: USF, Rutgers, DePaul

Storylines

The Bubble is an Illusion for Providence
Every conference is supposed to have a bubble team. The Big East really does not. Nonetheless, for purposes of keeping punditry with standard storylines, Providence will be proffered as a Big East bubble team.

The Friars' RPI is hovering around 70. With the exception of knocking off Pitt and Syracuse, they were the beneficiary of an unbalanced schedule that gave them six five games against the bottom four of the Big East. That gave them the edge in finishing above .500 in the conference. They did beat Cincinnati twice, which only made the Big East bubble more barren.

Will the Big East Get Three No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament?
That will be the most discussed issue in the BET. Pitt seems like a virtual lock for a No. 1 seed even if it goes out and loses its first game. They have the No. 1 RPI, they are No. 2 in both polls. They have been a top-five team all season. UConn was considered another lock, but how do you deny the regular season Big East Champion in Louisville? It just does not seem possible that the NCAA selection committee would pick three No. 1 seeds from the same conference. UConn and Louisville do not meet unless both get to the championship game. If so, that could decide the issue.

How Far Will Marquette slide?
The injury to Dominic James has been devastating. Before that, the Golden Eagles were looking like a No. 2 or 3 seed and seemed like a guard-heavy team that could go far in the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Eagles played tough against UConn, Louisville and Pitt but still lost. That was not so bad, even encouraging. But then Marquette lost at home, on senior day to Syracuse. That was damaging. If Marquette does not win a couple games, they could see themselves as a No. 6 or 7 seed by Sunday night.

The Big East is a Beast: It is the biggest and was supposed to be the toughest conference. With four teams in the top 10 and six teams ranked in the Top 25, there is plenty of quality in the conference. The issue is that the bottom is so weak. DePaul went 0-18 in the Big East. Rutgers is a wreck. South Florida is very slowly improving. The sheer size is the issue. Teams at the bottom have a hard time getting out from under the pile.

Predictions

Day one: Cincinnati over DePaul; Georgetown over St. John's; Notre Dame over Rutgers; and USF surprises Seton Hall.
Day two: Providence over Cincinnati; Marquette over Georgetown; WVU over ND; and Syracuse beats USF.
Quarterfinals: Louisville over Providence; Villanova over Marquette; Pitt over WVU; and UConn over Syracuse.
Semifinals: Villanova upsets Louisville and UConn finally beats Pitt.
Championship: UConn

Big East Tournament Preview: Everyone Is Playing, Except Bubble Teams originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seniors Lead Pitt Closer to No. 1 Seed

Chas Rich — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Big East

There is nothing more terrifying at the end of the season than to be the road opponent on Senior Day. UConn was harshly reminded of that in their 70-60 loss to Pitt, a win largely won by the Pitt seniors.

Elder statesmen Sam Young and Levance Fields were unstoppable, even though Fields entered the game as questionable with a lower back contusion.

The win likely clinched a No. 1 seed for Pitt in the NCAA Tournament. It might've also put UConn's hopes of a top slot in peril.

No. 3 Pitt 70, No. 1 UConn 60: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores

The story going into the game was the matchup of Hasheem Thabeet and DeJuan Blair, Part Two. While Thabeet was effective in the first half with 14 points, he was held scoreless in the second half. Blair was limited by UConn double-teams, keeping him to eight points and eight rebounds.

Pitt had a surprisingly effective game plan against UConn. Known for their very efficient halfcourt offense, Pitt ran at every chance on Saturday. Any turnover, defensive rebound or mental lapse by UConn and Pitt would push the ball upcourt, forcing Thabeet to expend too much energy.

UConn struggled shooting the entire game. Even A.J. Price, who hit the clutch threes in the second half to give the Huskies a chance, shot 5-for-15 to get his 19 points. Pitt simply rarely let UConn's guards get penetration or find room to work. That made it harder to get the ball inside, as the Huskies' overall lack of a three-point shooting threat meant Pitt could pack it inside against UConn.

UConn shouldn't be in danger of losing their No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they could be. If Louisville ends up winning the Big East regular season title outright -- rather than a three-way tie -- and has a deep Big East Tournament run, UConn could find itself bumped to a No. 2 seed. It just doesn't seem likely that the NCAA selection committee would put three teams from one conference on the top line.

Seniors Lead Pitt Closer to No. 1 Seed originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Should Pitt Sit Fields to Protect Seed?

Chas Rich — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Big East

In Pitt's win over Marquette Wednesday night, starting point guard Levance Fields went down hard with 9:30 left in the game. He suffered a bruised tailbone, but finished the game. Today, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said that Fields is questionable for Saturday's game against UConn, and that ultimately it would be a game time decision.

The question is, should Pitt even play Levance Fields? By nearly every bracket projection, Pitt is in line to receive a No. 1 seed for the NCAA tournament. So did Blake Griffin and Oklahoma provide Pitt a precedent, an "injury protection" for Pitt if Fields does not play?

When Griffin suffered his concussion that knocked him out of two games -- both losses for Oklahoma -- the punditry and brackets all indicated that the Sooners should not, and would not, be penalized in the polls and bracket projections for losses without their national player of the year candidate.

While DeJuan Blair is arguably Pitt's most important player, Fields is a close second, averaging about 33 minutes per game in the Big East. He provides over 11 points and and nearly eight assists per conference game. His backup is a freshman, Ashton Gibbs, who plays fewer than 10 minutes per game. Clearly, Pitt would be nowhere near the same team without Fields.

The injury is not serious, but it requires rest to heal. It would be a smart and reasonable precaution to make sure one of the team's most important players is fully recovered. There is no question that with a few days off, Fields would easily be back for the Big East and the NCAA tournaments. So, it would only be one regular-season game missed ... against the No. 1 team in the country that Pitt would be hard pressed to win without Fields anyway. (And Pitt has already shown that it can beat UConn -- in Hartford, Conn., no less.)

Keeping Fields out of the game is a logical move for the Panthers. Pitt is already assured of finishing the season no worse than third in the Big East, and securing the double-bye for the Big East tournament. The best that happens if Fields plays and Pitt wins is that the Panthers might finish the season in a three-way tie for the Big East regular season title with UConn and Louisville -- if Louisville loses to West Virginia in its finale. Then Pitt would have a No. 1 seed in the Big East tournament.

A No. 1 seed in the Big East tournament, though, hardly means as much as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. By sitting Fields, Pitt would be protecting its seed position and be in a no-lose situation in their season finale.

Latest College Basketball Images

Villanova's Dante Cunningham acknowledges the crowd after coming out for the last time at home during their NCAA college basketball game at the Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 5 , 2009. (Ron Cortes/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

MCT

Villanova's Dante Cunningham's fakes out Providence's Randall Hanke, 32, Geoff McDermott, 11, and Marshon Brooks, 2, during first half action at the Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 5 , 2009. (Ron Cortes/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

MCT

Villanova's Corey Fisher is hammered by Providence' Jeff Xavier during second half action at the Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 5 , 2009. (Ron Cortes/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

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Villanova seniors Frank Tchuisi, Dante Cunningham, and Dwayne Anderson acknowledge the crowd during their NCAA college basketball game against Providence at the Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 5 , 2009. (Ron Cortes/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

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Villanova head coach Jay Wright reacts after Dante Cunningham received a foul for throwing an elbow during their NCAA college basketball game against Providence at the Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 5 , 2009. (Ron Cortes/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

MCT

Villanova's Dwayne Anderson, left, Scottie Reynolds (1) and Reggie Redding, right, celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Villanova, Pa., Thursday, March 5, 2009. Villanova won 97-80. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Villanova's Dwayne Anderson (22) and Antonio Pena, left, and Providence's Jonathan Kale scramble for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Villanova, Pa., Thursday, March 5, 2009. Villanova won 97-80. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Illinois coach Bruce Weber, left, yells from the bench as guard Trent Meacham (1) enters the NCAA college basketball game against Penn State during the first half Thursday, March 5, 2009, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Penn State forward Jamelle Cornley, right, and Illinois forward Mike Davis look for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in State College, Pa., Thursday, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Should Pitt Sit Fields to Protect Seed? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Runs Marquette to Exhaustion

Chas Rich — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Marquette, Pittsburgh, Big East

The offense was more vibrant, the swing in the score more violent, but much like Marquette's Sunday game with Louisville, the Golden Eagles just did not have enough depth to stay in the game. Marquette, without Dominic James, simply does not enough bodies to survive against the top teams. Especially teams that play physical.

Pitt, while not comfortable as the No. 1 team, clearly wants a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers shot over 60% in both halves, and just kept coming at Marquette with more bodies and scoring options.

No. 3 Pitt 90, No. 13 Marquette 75: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores

Pitt had five players score in double figures. Marquette could not defend inside with DeJuan Blair. When they tried to collapse on Blair, Sam Young or Gilbert Brown were able to drive to the basket. Or Pitt could let Levance Fields and Jermaine Dixon take shots from outside.

Marquette stayed with Pitt for most of the first half, and came out hot in the second half because they were extremely hot from outside. They even built a very brief 9 point lead in the second half. They did it thanks to shooting 10-for-17 on three-point shots. The problem was that kind of reliance on the three-ball never lasts. Marquette proceeded to miss their next nine threes.

Part of the reason the Marquette offense went south, was simply tired legs. The Marquette offense is now reliant on Lazar Hayward, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews. The three provided 61 of the team's 75 points. They also played 115 of 120 available minutes. As the second half wore on, you could see them getting slower and the legs having less lift on shots.

This is the problem Marquette faces in the NCAA Tournament. The lack of depth and being forced to play their three best players this much, late in the season. It does not bode well for the Golden Eagles.

Pitt looked extremely comfortable all night. After two road games last week, they clearly were happy to be home. It makes Saturday's game in Pittsburgh against UConn even bigger. Pitt has not lost at home all season. UConn has not lost on the road all season.

Pitt Runs Marquette to Exhaustion originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let the One-derful Upsets Roll

Ray Holloman — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, March Madness

Long ago, somewhere around the time you broke your first New Year's resolution in a flurry of Haagen-Dazz and Oreos, dangerous stopped being an adequate word to describe college basketball's pole position.

Asking Jim Calhoun about his W-2s is dangerous. Tailgating LenDale White is dangerous. Taking tax advice from Barry Bonds is dangerous.

Being No. 1 is just plain stand-between-CC-Sabathia-and-the-training-table, accept-an-Evite-from Pacman Jones, asking for trouble

Yes, college basketball's top ranking long ago stopped being just dangerous.

Now it's just great.

This season, you'd have an easier time holding on to a bar of soap in the middle of a rainstorm. No team is unbeatable.

No team, that is, except whoever is lucky enough to play No. 1

There have been six different runs at No. 1, including two by Pittsburgh. If two more top teams fall, Octomom can name each of kids in honor of a flopped school.

There was North Carolina which left its defense home on Christmas break and promptly dropped its first two ACC games. Then came Pitt's first run, followed by back-to-back crashes by Wake Forest and Duke so disastrous the NTSB is still investigating. Connecticut took over from the Blue Devils, then Pitt dropped a sequel so bad you'd be forgiven for assuming a Wayans brother suited up.

Good luck to the next guy. We'd tell you you'll last as No. 1, but then we'd be blowing more smoke than Michael Phelps.

But your misery, next No. 1 team, is great for college basketball. And it should be great for a March full of madness and loony pairings.

Sure, it was interesting to see four No. 1 seeds make the Final Four last year, but it was exciting only if your other favorite teams are the Yankees and IBM, and you still get angry that Goliath didn't think about defending against the slingshot.

Now, if history is any guide, it's everybody else's turn.

To find a stretch where there were seven separate reigns at No. 1 in a 11-week period, as there likely will be Monday, you have to go back to 1995, when there were eight total reigns at No. 1, and 1994 when the top spot traded hands nine times. In those two tournaments, just two top seeds made it to the Final Four, both winning in memorable title games. The 1994 tourney gave us Bill Curley and ninth-seeded Boston College upsetting defending national champion North Carolina in the second round, and Tulsa running to the Sweet 16 as a 12 seed. Only eventual champion Arkansas represented the pole sitters. In 1995, only UCLA advanced to the Final Four from the top seed line and that was only with Tyus Edney's miracle dash against Missouri in the second round.

Nearly a decade-and-half later, without the senior laden teams of the mid-1990s, the results could be even more surprising.

After all, who among these top seeds is invulnerable? Not Pitt. The Panthers lost the No. 1 ranking in their first road game both times they held the top spot. They aren't the same team without rebound tree DeJuan Blair, and even with him they trailed bad-side-of-the-bubble team Providence by 18 at the half. Don't mention North Carolina either. Rocket point guards Tyrese Rice and Jeff Teague ripped them to blue-and-white ribbons in losses, while Duke took a halftime lead on the Heels with point guard Greg Paulus at the helm, a man whose 40-time would make global warming seem speedy..

It's certainly not Oklahoma. While Blake Griffin's still woozy with post-concussion symptoms ,the Sooners are just another team one short piece of contending and, without an elite defense might not have been a title contender to begin with. How about Memphis? The Tigers might steal a No. 1 seed, but their best win is over Gonzaga. How good is Gonzaga? Who knows, its best win is over Tennessee, a team that plays defense with the kind of intensity that makes your cat seem industrious. Connecticut? The Huskies lost to Georgetown, a team that's campaigning feverishly to be the best team in the storied two-year history of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (that is, the tournament NIT kicks sand in the face of). Now they're down Jerome Dyson as well. How about Duke, Marquette, or a Wake Forest team that even Roger Clemens thinks can't keep its story straight?

Take the lessons of this season to hear and don't beat on them.

At least, unless they're playing No. 1

Let the One-derful Upsets Roll originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No. 1 Pitt Falls to Providence

Chas Rich — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:18:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Big East

It was senior night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center for the Providence Friars. The Friars' bubble had seemingly been burst by their home loss to Notre Dame last Saturday, which left them at 16-11. Yet somehow that loss proved to be the perfect mix for the latest No. 1 upset in college basketball's skittish season as Providence shocked Pitt Tuesday.

It was the first time Providence had beaten a top-ranked team since 1976.

So just what the heck happened?

Providence 81, Pitt 73: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores

Pitt came out sluggish and sloppy from the start of the game. The Panthers never once led in the game. Surprisingly, Providence attacked Pitt's interior. Providence's Jonathan Kale outplayed Panther star DeJuan Blair inside. Coming into the game, Pitt had averaged just over 11 turnovers per game; the Panthers had 10 in the first half alone.

You will read that DeJuan Blair fouling out was the reason Pitt lost, but it wasn't. Not this time. Blair only had one foul in the first half and yet Pitt was already down 18 at the intermission. Pitt lost because the Panthers looked like a team that had started to believe their own press clippings, that they could just show up and win. They turned the ball over, took poor shots, and were out-hustled by Providence.

Pitt was considered a lock to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before this game. The Panthers can still get a top seed if they end the season with home victories over Marquette and UConn, both top-10 teams. It is an embarrassment, much like UNC losing to Boston College earlier in the season.

For Providence, it suddenly re-enters the bubble picture. This win will provide a big boost to their computer numbers as well as outsiders' perception of them. The Friars are now 9-7 in the Big East and should be able to at least beat Rutgers to get 10 wins in the conference. As long as they can win a game in the Big East Tournament, they will be right there in the discussion for final teams in the NCAA tournament.

Latest College Basketball Photos

Ohio State's P.J. Hill (4) drives to the basket for two as Penn State's Andrew Jones (22) and Ohio State's B.J. Mullens (32) look on during the second half of an NCAA college men's basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-59. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

Syracuse forward Arinze Onuaku, center, shoots over St. John's guard D.J. Kennedy, left, as Syracuse forward Paul Harris looks for the rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn, left, attempts a reverse layup against St. John's guard Quincy Roberts in the fist half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

St. John's center Dele Coker, left, drives against Syracuse forward Arinze Onuaku in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Ohio State's William Buford (44) goes up for two as Penn State's Stanley Pringle (11) defends during the first half of an NCAA college men's basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

Ohio State's P.J. Hill (4) shoots over Penn State's Talor Battle (12) during the first half of an NCAA college men's basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

In this Feb. 21, 2009 photo, Maryland's Greivis Vasquez (21) celebrates against North Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in College Park, Md. Maryland upset North Carolina 88-85 in overtime. Now that the afterglow of beating North Carolina has faded, Maryland faces an even stiffer challenge: a matchup Wednesday against Duke, which ripped the Terrapins by 41 points a month ago. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

In this Feb. 21, 2009 photo, Maryland coach Gary Williams looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in College Park, Md. Maryland upset North Carolina 88-85 in overtime. Now that the afterglow of beating North Carolina has faded, Maryland faces an even stiffer challenge: a matchup Wednesday against Duke, which ripped the Terrapins by 41 points a month ago. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

In this Feb. 21, 2009 photo, North Carolina guard Ty Lawson (5) puts up a shot while being defended by Maryland's Greivis Vasquez (21) and Cliff Tucker (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in College Park, Md. Now that the afterglow of beating North Carolina has faded, Maryland faces an even stiffer challenge: a matchup Wednesday against Duke, which ripped the Terrapins by 41 points a month ago. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Kansas guard Taylor Tyshawn (15) is fouled as he passes away from Oklahoma guard Omar Leary in the second half during their NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Oklahoma, February 23, 2009. REUTERS/Bill Waugh (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

No. 1 Pitt Falls to Providence originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DeJuan Blair May Have Cost Hasheem Thabeet Some Money

Chas Rich — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:33:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Big East, NBA Prospects

There were quite a few NBA scouts in attendance at the XL Center in Hartford to see what Hasheem Thabeet would do against DeJuan Blair, one of the top big men in the Big East. It was no contest. Blair was tougher, more aggressive, he shot better, he grabbed rebounds, and he literally put Thabeet on the deck.

Blair finished with 22 points and 23 rebounds, and his play put Thabeet on the bench for almost half the game with foul trouble. Thabeet only finished with 2 blocks, 4 rebounds and 5 points. That the 7-foot-3 Thabeet was dominated by a stronger, more determined 6-foot-7 Blair had to be an eye-opener for the NBA scouts.

Thabeet has been looking like an unstoppable force in the pain for the past few weeks. He completely intimidated entire opposing teams from coming into the paint for fear of having their shot blocked. Coaches like Jim Boeheim were comparing him to Patrick Ewing. Well, Ewing was never abused the way Blair treated Thabeet.

Thabeet is still a big man, and as the cliche goes, you can't teach 7-foot-3. That said, if there was anyone suggesting that maybe Thabeet might get drafted among the first five picks, that should be finished. The NBA is littered with promising big men who were too offensively limited in college and never advanced that part of their game. A performance like this could be the sort of thing that sticks with scouts and general managers. Heck, a performance like this could potentially keep Thabeet at UConn for his senior season. A thought that should worry most of the Big East.

On the flip side, DeJuan Blair is only a sophomore and a couple mock drafts already had him going in the top-20 picks. Blair has continually raised his game when facing other top big-men. This can only help his stock and make the increase the chances of him going pro after this season.

DeJuan Blair May Have Cost Hasheem Thabeet Some Money originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt's Frontcourt Tames Huskies

Chas Rich — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:54:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Big East

Coming into the Pitt-UConn game, the main event was Pitt's DeJuan Blair against UConn's Hasheem Thabeet -- the rebounding machine against the blocking bully. After the game, ESPN's Jay Bilas put it this way: "If this were a fight, they would have called it early." Blair took it right at Thabeet the entire time and led Pitt to a 76-68 win in Hartford.

Hasheem Thabeet was held to only five points, four rebounds and just two blocks. Overwhelmed by Blair, Thabeet fouled out in the final minutes and was limited to only 23 minutes. Blair, on the other hand, finished with 22 points and 23 rebounds. It was Blair's second 20-20 game of the season. The Pitt frontcourt duo of Blair and Sam Young dominated UConn with a combined 47 points on 18-of-30 shooting.

UConn's frontcourt had no answer for Pitt. The tone was set early when Blair snagged a rebound and Thabeet went over Blair's back trying to get it. Blair had both hands on the ball, Thabeet's arm got pinned, and when Blair yanked, he flipped the 7-foot-3 Thabeet right over his back.

The Panthers outrebounded the Huskies 43-30. Pitt had no fear of going into the paint against UConn. Even with UConn getting plenty of blocks, Pitt kept going inside and attacking. UConn seemed ill-prepared for a team that wasn't scared to go inside.

What kept UConn in the game was their guard play. A.J. Price and Kemba Walker combined for 31 points, and even got the Huskies a lead late in the game. The Huskies guards were faster and able to penetrate and score. They also shut down Pitt's guards for most of the game.

Late in the game, though, it became clear that the UConn guards were getting tired. Losing Jerome Dyson took a toll on UConn's backcourt depth and they were having trouble getting through screens. That freed up Jermaine Dixon and then Levance Fields twice to drain big 3's to give Pitt a lead they never relinquished.

It was a huge win for Pitt, as it was the first time in four tries the Panthers have beaten UConn when the Huskies were ranked No. 1. It was also the first time Pitt has ever beaten a top-ranked team in 14 tries. The season-ending rematch should be fantastic.

Latest College Basketball Photos

Texas' Dexter Pittman (34) struggles with Texas A&M's Bryan Davis (0) and Josh Carter, right, to hold onto the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 81-66. (AP Photo/Wade Barker)

Texas A&M's Bryan Davis (0) and B.J. Holmes (11) celebrate with the Lone Star Showdown trophy after their victory over rival Texas in an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 81-66. (AP Photo/Wade Barker)

Texas' Dogus Balbay (4) shoots over Texas A&M's Bryan Davis (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 81-66. (AP Photo/Wade Barker)

Texas' Gary Johnson (1) goes up for a basket over Texas A&M's Chinemelu Elonu (41) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 81-66. (AP Photo/Wade Barker)

Louisiana Tech's Kyle Gibson, center, threads his way between the New Mexico State defense of Wendell McKines, top, and Jahmar Young during an NCAA college basketball game in Las Cruces, N.M., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Las Cruces Sun-News, Norm Dettlaff)

Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet is attended to by trainer Jim Doran after landing hard during the first half of his team's 76-68 loss to Pittsburgh in an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Thabeet was able to return to the game later in the half. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Pittsburgh's Gilbert Brown fights for a rebound with Connecticut's Stanley Robinson, left, during an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Pittsburgh defeated top-ranked Connecticut 76-68. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Connecticut's A.J. Price shoots while being guarded by Pittsburgh's Jermaine Dixon during an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Pittsburgh defeated top-ranked Connecticut 76-68. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair (45) fights for a rebound with teammate Brad Wanamaker during Pittburgh's 76-68 victory over top-ranked Connecticut in an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. Blair had a game-high 23 rebounds and added 22 points. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Texas A&M's Chinemelu Elonu (41) dunks over Texas' Gary Johnson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Wade Barker)

Pitt's Frontcourt Tames Huskies originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DeJuan Blair Slams Hasheem Thabeet

Will Brinson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:40:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Big East, Campus, Video

The most exciting matchup of the Connecticut-Pittsburgh fracas tonight was clearly DeJuan Blair vs. Hasheem Thabeet. Both big men, combined, have pulled down 23.1 rebounds and blocked 5.2 shots per game heading into the contest. It would likely be a battle. But I don't think anyone expected to see a Royal Rumble move (albeit an accidental one) busted out, when, just three minutes into the game, Blair accidentally (I think) flipped Thabeet to the floor.

Via El Daga

DeJuan Blair Slams Hasheem Thabeet originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foul Trouble Can't Slow Pitt

Chas Rich — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:27:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Big East

Anyone who has followed college basketball with some interest knows that when Curtis Shaw is listed as a referee for the game, there are going to be a lot of whistles and likely a technical foul. Shaw is the guy who tossed the Rice Owl mascot earlier. On this past Saturday, his crew blew 53 fouls in the Syracuse-Villanova game.

So, really, was it any surprise that there were 38 fouls called between West Virginia and Pitt, including a technical foul and two players fouling out? In a game that had little flow and had Jay Bilas exclaim, "My ears hurt from all of the whistles," Pitt beat West Virginia 70-59. That's a sweep of the season series.
In a game that had both teams sitting their top two players for most of the first half with foul trouble, Pitt held the decided advantage. Pitt has more depth and experience. Not to mention, Pitt has more than just two top players. Sam Young was still on the court for Pitt.

The depth and experience really came into focus in the second half. Pitt made better adjustments to the way the game was being called and avoided the foul calls early in the second half. West Virginia did not and with their best players unable to defend or having to sit, Pitt converted 10-for-14 to race out to a double digit lead in the second half that they never relinquished.

This was a brutal loss for the Mountaineers. They fell below .500 in the Big East and still lack a big win in the Big East as that Georgetown win looks a lot less impressive. They do not have any bad losses, but their best wins are at Ohio State and at Ole Miss. Solid, but not great wins. They are a true team living on the bubble.

Foul Trouble Can't Slow Pitt originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good Is Great for College Hoops

Ray Holloman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Duke, Pittsburgh, UNC, Wake Forest, North Carolina

First there was North Carolina. Then there was a brief fling with Pittsburgh that ended quicker than a Hollywood marriage. Wake Forest took over next, and the NTSB is still investigating that one-week crash. Then came Duke, which notched a stay atop the rankings that, like Eliot Spitzer's hotel bills, were charged in hours, not days.

This year, it seems, everybody is getting a shot at No. 1.

Just wait Dallas Academy, that 100-0 score won't last. Your time is coming.

But until then, the most dangerous proposition in sports this side of accepting an Evite from Pacman Jones belongs to Connecticut.

Five different teams have claimed the No. 1 ranking since the beginning of January and for four, like a Michael Phelps Saturday night, the high ended in embarrassment.

Yes, greatness, like movies about chimps in space, Charles Barkley's fave five and your retirement savings, is gone with the year 2008.

2009 is the year of good.

And nothing could be better for college basketball.

Sure, great teams are fun to watch every now and again, to see 12 guys march through the field like Patton's Third Army in a Red Rover game. But predictable dominance isn't what makes college basketball the best thing on television that's not accidentally broadcast by Comcast.

Last year was the season of wall-to-wall great. North Carolina grew into a top-flight team, and, so long as they didn't have to play defense, were a tank in a soap box derby. Memphis lost just once in the regular season and came within a free throw of the championship. UCLA went to a third straight Final Four with Kevin Love throwing sweet arcing outlet passes that would make Kurt Warner return to bagging groceries. And none was better than Kansas, which steamrolled North Carolina 40-12 out of the gate and clawed its way past Memphis.

Sure, all four No. 1 seeds made the Final Four for the first time ever, but pulling for each of those teams was like rooting for IBM.

The last time there was no dominant team, we watched a George Mason run to the Final Four that did more for miracles than anyone since the 1980 U.S. hockey team and Lyle Lovett's marriage to Julia Roberts. That same year, LSU shocked top-seed Duke on a night J.J. Redick made Plaxico Burress look like a marksman shot, and marched to the Final Four behind the larger-than-the-dinner-table Big Baby Davis. Ben Howland made his first run to the final weekend and Florida's famed '04 recruiting class rebounded from a three-game losing skid in late February to bring home the Gators' first NCAA Tournament title.

And this is what makes college basketball great. Unpredictability.

College basketball isn't the neatly homogenized NFL, made up of 32 teams with all the comparative difference of the Olsen Twins. It isn't the BCS guarantee that the top two teams meet and leaves the non-blue bloods out to clean Urban Meyer's golf cleats, or the NBA's 40-games-in-40-nights death march to the NBA Finals.

It's Madness. And no year is better than this one.

And even though UConn is the latest team, let's just say there's no need to write that in chisel, unless of course you friend Billy Packer on Facebook and that's just how the cranky fella communicates.

The Huskies, who play Louisville tonight, may have the shortest actual reign at No. 1. Their best true road victory was over RPI 76 Notre Dame, losers of five straight games, while Louisville has been near perfect at home, knocking off Kentucky, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Connecticut has done a miserable job of pressuring the basketball this season as well, ranking 325th in the nation in turnover percentage, while Louisville's early season struggles were marked by the inconsistent play of point guard Edgar Sosa.

Then again they may be the first team to hold No. 1 longer than the run of Manimal.

But they'll still be a flawed team, just like a Duke squad that's still developing its point guard play, a North Carolina team that's learning to ratchet up the defense, a Pittsburgh team that can't quite figure out how to play without DeJuan Blair and an Oklahoma team that's about as deep as a Paris Hilton rant.

They're all missing something. They're all just good.

And for college basketball, that's just great.

Good Is Great for College Hoops originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Realizes Conventional Wisdom on Defense Works vs. Notre Dame

Chas Rich — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:52:00 EST

Filed under: Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Big East

Pitt experimented with going against the conventional wisdom in the first half and was lucky not to be down more than only six points. They tried doubling on Luke Harangody, which left a Notre Dame shooter continually open on the perimeter. Pitt paid for that, dearly as the Irish shot 11-for-22 on threes in the first half.

In the second-half, Pitt adjusted to the same defense everyone else has successfully been using with the Irish. Suddenly Notre Dame had no open looks on the perimeter and the Irish went down for their fifth straight loss, 93-80.

Notre Dame has not been hard to figure out in their losing streak. You play Luke Harangody one-on-one, letting him get his points and boards. Then you do everything you can to stay on top of Kyle McAlarney and take your chance with anyone else from Notre Dame beating you.

In the first half, Pitt did stay all over Kyle McAlarney to limit his open chances. The problem was that Pitt decided to double team Luke Harangody. To the extent that they limited him to only 8 points and 6 rebounds in the first half, it worked. The problem was that Pitt left an open shooter for Notre Dame. Luke Zeller took advantage of that. Zeller drained his first four 3s in the first 4:30 of the game and put in 6-for-8 on threes in the half.

As Tom Brennan said at halftime on ESPN, though, it was "fool's gold" for the Irish. In the second half, Pitt abandoned the double-team of Harangody, and while Harangody had 19 second half points Notre Dame no longer had open shots. The rest of the Notre Dame team only scored 16 points in the second half, and only was able to attempt five three-pointers.

Pitt completely blitzed Notre Dame in the second half. Taking advantage of the Irish's porous defense, Pitt shot 50% from the field and dominated on the boards. DeJuan Blair, unencumbered by foul trouble, was a destructive force. He had 23 points and 22 rebounds.

Notre Dame is now 3-6 in the Big East and looking very much like a team that will need a miracle run in the Big East Tournament just to make the NCAA Tournament. Quite a fall for a preseason top-ten team.

Pitt Realizes Conventional Wisdom on Defense Works vs. Notre Dame originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Onion Peels: The ACC and Big East, Not Home to Road Warriors

Will Brinson — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Villanova, Wake Forest, ACC, Big East, Coaches, Fans, North Carolina

Onion Peels is a recap of last night's action and an unofficial Bill Raftery blog.

Wake Forest 70, Duke 68
Two things stand out about Wake Forest from this game. First, Dino Gaudio has done a tremendous job turning the Deacons into a team that can actually play defense (Holloman noted this a while back, actually), and second, can this Wake team close? I know they actually won, so that seems like a silly question, but after seeing the Virginia Tech debacle and then seeing them play down the stretch against Duke, it wouldn't be fair not to question their throat-stomping ability

Duke, on the other hand, just lacks an inside presence. No offense to Brian Zoubek, who, despite being a seven-footer, managed to finish with an impressive zero points and two rebounds last night, but this is going to be a really, really big deal when they play North Carolina and anyone with a big guy in the NCAAs.

Villanova 67, Pittsburgh 57
A lack of a serious inside presence for Pittsburgh -- DeJuan Blair and Tyrell Biggs dealt with foul trouble all night -- gave Villanova ample room to attack the basket and put the Panthers from behind at the start. In a similar fashion to Pitt's loss to Louisville, the Panthers let an opponent hang around and subsequently lost. Scoring 57 points isn't exactly impressive, either.

North Carolina 80, Florida State 77
The Seminoles always play the Tar Heels tough, and last night's game was no exception. However, North Carolina usually doesn't just collapse; as Shiloh pointed out, they almost did last night. But for Ty Lawson's ability to hit a last second 3-pointer, the Heels are staring at three losses in ACC play. BUT DON"T WORRY! THEY"RE ROLLING RIGHT ALONG! No, but seriously, when your point guard leads you in rebounds, you have issues.

Gary Williams 1, Kathy Worthington 0
Sweaty Gary gone done and LOST HIS MIND. Don't believe me? Witness the best quote of the NCAA season -- in a season filled with a lot of great lines coming from College Park no less -- so far: "Kathy Worthington doesn't speak for me. She has never won a national championship. She has never done anything." Click, click, BURN. Touche, Gary. Touche.

Providence 100, Syracuse 94
The Orange continued their Top-25 shame spiral, losing their third straight (and four out of five) Big East game, despite Jonny Flynn throwing up a 35/3/6 line with four three pointers. How did they lose? Because 'Cuse likes to play zone, and Providence likes to shoot threes.

Elsewhere: Louisville stomped South Florida, setting up what should be an awesome matchup against Connecticut (who plowed through DePaul) Monday. LSU toppled Tennessee ... but WHERE ARE THE MARISSA MILLER STORIES??

Onion Peels: The ACC and Big East, Not Home to Road Warriors originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Villanova Closes Out Spectrum With Signature Win

Chas Rich — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Villanova, Big East

It was the final college game at the Spectrum. It was the place where Bob Knight won two national championships at Indiana. It was the place where Christian Laettner hit the shot to knock off Kentucky and move Duke into the 1992 Final Four. So fittingly, in this finale, Villanova knocked off PItt 67-57.

This was an absolutely vital win for the Wildcats. They were on the verge of falling below .500 in the Big East. They lacked any high quality wins, and were barely staying in the Top 25. They got the big win by beating the third-ranked Panthers with the Wildcats' quickness able to get Pitt's inside players -- DeJuan Blair and Tyrell Biggs -- in foul trouble. It created the room for the guards to drive, dish and shoot.

Villanova was able to beat Pitt by attacking inside. The officials called it tight, which favored the Wildcats. Villanova, with shooters and guards that could attack the basket, did just that.

The first half, it seemed that Pitt could survive as the Panthers had a five-point lead at the break. In the second half, though, the fouls really piled up and 'Nova kept going to the free throw line. Pitt could not answer. The Panthers became visibly frustrated and settled too many times for contested jump shots. Pitt shot 3-for-6 on threes in the first half, but missed all eight attempts in the second half.

Blair's foul trouble really took the pressure off Dante Cunningham for Villanova inside. It gave him room as Pitt had to worry about the Wildcat guards. Reggie Redding was big for Villanova to keep it in the game in the first half and then making free throws late.

Pitt again struggled without DeJuan Blair inside. In the three games in which Blair's minutes have been limited by foul problems, Pitt is just 1-2. While it could be argued that a couple of the fouls called on Pitt were touch fouls that should not have been called, Blair made two dumb fouls on the perimeter for which there was no justification. Villanova took advantage of the situation like a good team should.

Villanova Closes Out Spectrum With Signature Win originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rule

Will Brinson — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgetown, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Texas, UNC, Wake Forest, ACC, Big East, Coaches, Media Watch, North Carolina

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics as soon as the polls come out.

It shouldn't come as a tremendous surprise that the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the nation's only remaining undefeated team, are the consensus number one team in the nation. Oh wait, what's that? They're not the consensus team? Interesting.

They are close though -- Duke garnered four AP first place votes and six votes in the coaches poll to lock up the second overall ranking in both polls, while Connecticut and Pittsburgh rounded out the top four. Perhaps Coach K's media scathing resonated with more than just the News & Observer.

This is, the first time that Wake has been No. 1 since Chris Paul graced the hardwood of Lawrence Joel, but it's an interesting change because this is a completely different Deacon team, and one that's dominated by a youthful demeanor.

But, yes, in other words, when it comes to college basketball this year, there is the ACC, there is the Big East, and then there is everyone else. That's not to say that the ACC is necessarily better overall than the Big East; it's probably telling that the latter's two "best" (by record) teams are ranked lower (Louisville is 9 in the AP, 12 in the coaches', while Marquette is 11 and 10, respectively) than the two teams everyone else considers to be the favorites: UConn and Pitt.

North Carolina and Oklahoma round out the top five and while, yes, I may be known for piling on the Tar Heels ... well, I'm going to do it again. They whipped up on two bad teams in Virginia and Miami, they've lost both their tests and they're just not as tough on defense without Marcus Ginyard, who won't be around for the Clemson game. I understand that people have a really, really, really hard time not putting them in the top 10, and that's somewhat understandable, but putting them above Oklahoma, who recently pummeled Texas, seems like a bit of a stretch.

Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Louisville Tops No. 1 Pittsburgh; Earl Clark Has a Decent Birthday

Will Brinson — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville, Pittsburgh, Big East, Campus, Coaches, Media Watch

The most beautiful thing about college basketball, the "madness" aside, is the collection of mini-runs that occur in a game as momentum shifts throughout. And the Pittsburgh-Louisville game had plenty of them, including a crucial late second-half 10-point stretch from the Cardinals that saw them pull ahead for the final time en route to beating the Panthers, 69-63.

It was a statement game for everyone involved from the Cardinal side, too: Earl Clark came out swinging in the second half, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 boards on an evening that happened to be his 21st birthday; Terrence Williams solidified his status as team leader with a 20/7/4 line; Rick Pitino's press is suddenly very, very relevant again (at least until I bracket them into the Final Four in a few months).

And especially for Louisville as a whole, because they're suddenly undefeated in Big East play and looking like an extremely dangerous team capable of going deep in the tourney. And I'm not just saying that because Clark is capable of embarrassing Luke Harangody on a personal, things-on-your-chin type of way.

Pittsburgh looked, early on, like it was going to roll with this one, jumping all over the Cardinals as the Panthers opened up a 17-7 lead early in the game, although they weren't exactly aided by the fact that several of their players missed serious time in the first half. But thanks to a Levance Fields three-pointer, they still led going into the break.

And as late as that 10-point run, it looked like Pitt was fully vested in sealing its status as the top team in the Big East and the nation (Wake Forest is now, obviously, the consensus No. 1 in the country and the only undefeated team remaining) but, again, Williams and Clark were just too much.

Louisville Tops No. 1 Pittsburgh; Earl Clark Has a Decent Birthday originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Gets Another Week at No. 1

Chas Rich — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Big East

Pitt had good timing in ascending to the No. 1 spot in the rankings. A week off, and then a home game against the St. John's Red Storm. Yes, the Red Storm had upset Notre Dame the week before, but that was at home and St. John's was able to defend Notre Dame's guards. Pitt, by contrast, is much more of an interior team. It showed as Pitt overwhelmed St. John's, 90-67.

The game was close for the first half. Pitt only held a five point lead, as St. John's D.J. Kennedy had a fantastic first half in his return to his hometown. The Red Storm shot very well, while Pitt struggled to get the baskets. Sam Young, especially, had a dismal first half shooting only 2-for-11. Still, Pitt had the lead because they forced a slew of St. John's turnovers and had more opportunities with DeJuan Blair inside.

The second half, had Pitt completely blitz St. John's. Pitt shot nearly 60 percent in the second half, and continued to force turnovers. St. John's just could not keep up with Pitt inside. The players were getting visibly tired and making sloppier passes.

The win almost guarantees that Pitt will remain the number one team in the polls for a second straight week. Continuing their first ever stay at the top of the polls. Hopefully there will not be any t-shirts to celebrate.

Pitt Gets Another Week at No. 1 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Goes Inside to Dominate Georgetown

Chas Rich — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Big East

The final score of 70-54 made it look like a blowout. With 14:15 left in the game, though, it was a 40-40 tie and Pitt had never led by six. Then Pitt went on a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to turn it into a laugher, snapping Georgetown's 29-game home winning streak (15 in the Big East) with the win in the Verizon Center. It was also Pitt's first win on the road against a top-25 team in eight tries.

Maybe it was the fact that he only played eight minutes in the prior game. Maybe he just was excited for a big game. Maybe he just was annoyed with reading nothing but hype for Georgetown's stud freshman center, Greg Monroe, the last couple days. Whatever the reason, Pitt's DeJuan Blair absolutely dominated the inside paint and made Monroe look silly. Blair had 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead Pitt to the win.

Georgetown was following the standard defensive gameplan against Pitt. Try to pack it inside to keep Pitt from feeding it inside. Make Pitt have to shoot from the perimeter.

To the extent that Pitt only shot 3-for-19 on threes, the approach worked. The problem was that Georgetown had no rebounding presence and Pitt was able to get put-backs and second chances. Pitt outrebounded Georgetown 42-18 with Pitt having an 18-4 edge on the offensive glass. It became worse when Georgetown shifted to a zone for a while in the second half. Not only was Pitt getting the rebounds, but with Georgetown out of position to get rebounds, Pitt had easy opportunities to put it back or pass to another open player. Pitt shot 29-for-49 (59.2 percent) from inside the perimeter.

Georgetown never found any offense. Only DaJuan Summers kept the Hoyas in the game in the first half, when he scored 16 of Georgetown's 30 first half points. He couldn't keep it up in the second half, and while Monroe scored 11 in the second half no one else for Georgetown could score. Summers was 4-for-5 on threes, but the rest of the team was only 2-for-16. Pitt's defense, especially in the second half, completely stopped Georgetown's backcourt cuts from working. Georgetown's guards only contributed 17 points in the game.

The real shame of the 16-team Big East, even with an 18-game schedule, is that the two teams won't meet again in the conference schedule. Of course they have faced each other in the past two Big East Tournament Championship games, so there might still be a rematch this year.

Pitt Goes Inside to Dominate Georgetown originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rutgers Faces Week From Hell: North Carolina, UConn and Pitt

Shiloh Carder — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:57:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, UNC, ACC, Big East, North Carolina

Who is the best team in college basketball? Is it No. 1 North Carolina, No. 2 UConn or No. 3 Pittsburgh? I'll wait a week and ask the Rutgers Scarlet Knights since they will play all three ... this week.

Rutgers lost to North Carolina today, 97-75. On Wednesday, they will host Pitt to open their Big East schedule. Then on Saturday they will visit UConn to face the Huskies. The top three ranked teams in the nation in a span of seven days. Yikes!

That certainly isn't Delaware State, Bryant University or N.J.I.T -- the Knights last three opponents. N.J.I.T hasn't won a game in two years. UNC, UConn and Pitt are a combined 35-0.

It is believed that this is the first time in history that one team will play the Associated Press' top three ranked teams in a row. In 1995, the Temple Owls faced the top three ranked teams in a one-month span.

It will get easier after this week, but not by much. Rutgers will welcome in Marquette and No. 17 Syracuse, travel to Cincinnati and then host No. 19 Louisville.

Rutgers Faces Week From Hell: North Carolina, UConn and Pitt originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recap of the FanHouse 2008 Semi-Preseason BlogPoll

Shiloh Carder — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arizona State, Connecticut, Davidson, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Marquette, Memphis, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA, UNC, UNLV, USC, Wake Forest, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Mid-Majors, Pac-10, SEC, NCAA Basketball BlogPoll, Fans, University of Miami

Well, there you have it. The FanHouse Preseason College Hoops BlogPoll for 2008 is complete.

The voting for No. 1 was not close. North Carolina was atop every single ballot. UCLA, Louisville and UConn usually followed in a variety of orders. From there, it was a typical free-for-all as there is a glut of teams from No. 5 to No. 12 that was very fluid.

The poll also had some newcomers to it. Davidson is now a household name; St. Mary's will soon be; UNLV is back on the map while schools like Arizona State, Miami-FL and Wake Forest are primed to make their move. Defending champion Kansas didn't make the cut.

Still, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The top two ranked teams were in the Final Four last year, UConn takes back its place among the elite and six of last March's Elite Eight are ranked in the top twenty.

Will we be wrong with this poll? Of course! Heck, our No. 2 team has already been beaten. But name me the last time the Associated Press or the coaches got their preseason poll completely right. The key is that these teams will be the ones to know when March Madness rolls around.

Big thanks to all the bloggers across the internets for lending a hand and breaking down these teams.

1 - North Carolina Tar Heels
2 - UCLA Bruins
3 - UConn Huskies
4 - Louisville Cardinals
5 - Michigan State Spartans
6 - Gonzaga Bulldogs
7 - Oklahoma Sooners
8 - Pittsburgh Panthers
9 - Purdue Boilermakers
10 - Memphis Tigers
11 - Texas Longhorns
12 - Duke Blue Devils
13 - Miami-FL Hurricanes
14 - Arizona State Sun Devils
15 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
16 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
17 - Tennessee Volunteers
18 - UNLV Runnin' Rebels
19 - St. Mary's Gaels
20 - Davidson Wildcats
21 - Florida Gators
22 - Marquette Golden Eagles
23 - LSU Tigers
24 - USC Trojans
25 - Syracuse Orange

Recap of the FanHouse 2008 Semi-Preseason BlogPoll originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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