Big East Tournament Thoughts by Joe Streator

UCONN whupped DePaul last night. Calhoun has won 34 Big East Tournament games behind Boeheim at 46 and one ahead of John Thompson. If Buzz stays around he could top all of them. The only question is whether continued double byes will stretch out the time it takes him to do that.

Pittsburgh soundly beat the Toilet team (thanks to Scoops for that description.) The only school in the country who calls their football team (Pitt) a different name than their basketball team (Pittsburgh) whupped The Johnnies? This was supposed to be the second consecutive year in the Toilet team's effort to return to glory but so much for that plan. The next time anyone gets excited about Marquette's name or mascot just remember the Red Storm and their mascot Johnny Thunderbird. UGH.

Seton Hall whupped Providence. I would like to see Ernie DiGregorio's alma mater get its act together once again. Too bad Pitino did not stay there and quietly win championships but I guess quiet and Pitino don't go together. Have to give credit to The Hall though. They had a nice start this year and good to see them win tonight.

And lastly Villanova somehow whupped Rutgers.

Remember all these games next year when the pundits talk about how much DePaul, the Toilet team, Providence and Rutgers are improving. They may improve a lot but that's because they will start from such a low base. When you want to check their progress be sure to start with the bottom of the Big East standings.

In other news, congratulations to Harvard for making the tournament for the first time since 1946 thanks to Princeton beating Penn. Now help me cheer Northwestern in for the first time in how many years? Oh, it's EVER.

With Crowder being named Big East player of the year we can now speculate where he will land in the national player of the year tally. Cracked Sidewalks does some interesting analysis on this topic. Will their top ranked player Anthony Davis, Kentucky freshman, get it? I sure hope not. How about Michigan State's Draymond Green? I am sure the MSU hype machine has been running in high gear lately and with the Big Ten getting accolades for being the toughest conference this year, it may be tough for anyone to beat Green. It's been a long time since I have made a trifecta bet, but I would sure like to see a Crowder, Green and Davis finish.

Also according to Cracked Sidewalks, Tom Crean and Indiana will have the top returning player next year in Cody Zeller...and his brother Tyler will be a first round pick this year. Quite the basketball family when you toss ND grad Luke in the mix too. Would be an interesting 3 on 3 tourney to see the Zellers go against the Hansbroughs and the Plumlees. So far Buzz has far outperformed Crean partially due to him starting with a good group of seniors but this year entirely due to his outstanding player development and coaching. (I know, he makes some mistakes but all coaches do.) I hope Buzz and the Warriors continue that outperformance next year.

One more 'quiet' night this evening and then let the fun begin tomorrow. We got beat in an upset a week ago but I don't think we will endure two upsets in a month. The near term future looks very bright.

Joe