We know who is playing in basketball season 2, after the Big East won 3 of 4 this season.

In Nashville (Dec. 16 @ the Sommet Center):
Marquette vs. Tennessee
South Florida @ Vanderbilt

In Cincinnati (Dec 18th @ U.S. Bank Arena):
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
Mississippi St. @ Cincinnati

They obviously could have switched the Cincy matchups for more drama. Kennedy vs. his old team on the one hand, and it's to a lesser degree, but the Cards and Bulldogs have traded players recently. Brian Johnson transferred to MSU and plays in Starkville, and Reginald Delk is sitting out this year in Louisville after leaving MSU and will be playing for us next season.

The matchups look good overall. 6 of the 8 teams are competing for an NCAA bid this season, UC is playing great, and USF should be improved at least some next season.

If anyone is looking way ahead to 2009, the 4 SEC teams are set by default I assume:
Kentucky
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia

The 8 remaining BE teams that could be matched up with those 4 SEC in '09 are Syracuse, UConn, Pitt, DePaul, ND, St John's, Rutgers, & Seton Hall. Since they clearly look to have 2 teams from the same conference geographically near the hosting sites, NYC and Chicago look like reasonable hosting sites in the future on the Big East end when you consider our remaining 8 teams.

I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

They could have split up the 4 former CUSA teams, but to be honest, I disagree with the premise that these 4 are lesser BE members. That's at least the implication. This setup is never going to match the ACC-Big 10 challenge, no matter who the teams are, considering that you only have 4 games a year. I'd also have to say I disagree with the implication that we need Cuse or UConn for national interest. UofL has just as much draw in terms of TV ratings, etc.

As for maybe a South Florida, they have to play in at some point, and are away from other BE members, so they were a natural to play at the SEC venue. You can't load up on the "name" teams and then in the 4th year have USF, RU, St John's and Seton Hall from the BE.

That Marquette-Tennessee game should be fun.

mattsarz Wrote:That Marquette-Tennessee game should be fun.

Definitely! We are 11 months out, but that appears to be the premier game at this point. Even if both teams are a little down from this year, it should be a fast-paced high scoring affair.

CollegeCard Wrote:

mattsarz Wrote:That Marquette-Tennessee game should be fun.

Definitely! We are 11 months out, but that appears to be the premier game at this point. Even if both teams are a little down from this year, it should be a fast-paced high scoring affair.

Well, MU could be better next year. If James sticks around, MU will have everyone back but Barro. Plus, MU gets its best recruit this year back (he is redshirting because of injury) and has a relatively strong recruiting class coming in.

The subplot in the MU-UT game is that Pearl used to be at UWM. He used to take a lot of pot shots in the media at MU for not playing them during his tenure, but never mentioned that UWM is the one that originally cancelled the series. It appears that there is a little bad blood between Crean and Pearl because of it.

CollegeCard Wrote:

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

They could have split up the 4 former CUSA teams, but to be honest, I disagree with the premise that these 4 are lesser BE members. That's at least the implication. This setup is never going to match the ACC-Big 10 challenge, no matter who the teams are, considering that you only have 4 games a year. I'd also have to say I disagree with the implication that we need Cuse or UConn for national interest. UofL has just as much draw in terms of TV ratings, etc.

As for maybe a South Florida, they have to play in at some point, and are away from other BE members, so they were a natural to play at the SEC venue. You can't load up on the "name" teams and then in the 4th year have USF, RU, St John's and Seton Hall from the BE.

I just mean that I don't think there will be as much interest in this on the east coast. I think they could have thrown in one of the three (Pitt, UConn, 'Cuse) and saved Louisville or Cincy for another year. Same way that I don't think they should have played both Georgetown and Nova this year. It's just hard to say Big East/SEC Invitational when those 4 schools have only been in the BE for 3 years.

Offense is taken, just joking, but Cincy is much more geographically desirable for the doubleheader with the SEC as a host and has much more in the way to offer visiting fans in terms of hotels, activities, and restaurants/bars etc. and flights are much easier etc. than Syracuse and Uconn no offense they are further away and in samller towns etc....hehe There is a NEW BIG East and Syracuse and UConn are a BIG part of it, but so are teams like Cincy a TOP TEN ALL-TIME Program and USF etc. We just started slow in B-Ball due to the coaching change but we are back! Next years team is LOADED! Not to mention USF and Cincy in football.

Orange Eagles Wrote:

CollegeCard Wrote:

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

They could have split up the 4 former CUSA teams, but to be honest, I disagree with the premise that these 4 are lesser BE members. That's at least the implication. This setup is never going to match the ACC-Big 10 challenge, no matter who the teams are, considering that you only have 4 games a year. I'd also have to say I disagree with the implication that we need Cuse or UConn for national interest. UofL has just as much draw in terms of TV ratings, etc.

As for maybe a South Florida, they have to play in at some point, and are away from other BE members, so they were a natural to play at the SEC venue. You can't load up on the "name" teams and then in the 4th year have USF, RU, St John's and Seton Hall from the BE.

I just mean that I don't think there will be as much interest in this on the east coast. I think they could have thrown in one of the three (Pitt, UConn, 'Cuse) and saved Louisville or Cincy for another year. Same way that I don't think they should have played both Georgetown and Nova this year. It's just hard to say Big East/SEC Invitational when those 4 schools have only been in the BE for 3 years.

They could have decided to split it up, but I'm sure they had reasons for everything, and I suspect ESPN was heavily involved, and so won't be dissapointed with their own influence.

As for your last sentence, that's where we may have to agree to disagree. Believe it or not, those 4 schools have full voting rights, can win conference championships, etc! Of course I'm being sarcastic, but really, how many years in do they qualify as "Big East" teams? By the time the games are played those schools will be in their 4th basketball season in the league. The league appeared more than ready to claim the Orange Bowl win last January.

MU88 Wrote:

CollegeCard Wrote:

mattsarz Wrote:That Marquette-Tennessee game should be fun.

Definitely! We are 11 months out, but that appears to be the premier game at this point. Even if both teams are a little down from this year, it should be a fast-paced high scoring affair.

Well, MU could be better next year. If James sticks around, MU will have everyone back but Barro. Plus, MU gets its best recruit this year back (he is redshirting because of injury) and has a relatively strong recruiting class coming in.

The subplot in the MU-UT game is that Pearl used to be at UWM. He used to take a lot of pot shots in the media at MU for not playing them during his tenure, but never mentioned that UWM is the one that originally cancelled the series. It appears that there is a little bad blood between Crean and Pearl because of it.

If Marquette is hitting their shots, they can beat Tennessee.

But if they have to depend on offensive rebounding to get their points, they are in deep trouble against the Vols. Tennessee is very tough inside, which isn't Marquette's forte.

bitcruncher Wrote:But if they have to depend on offensive rebounding to get their points, they are in deep trouble against the Vols. Tennessee is very tough inside, which isn't Marquette's forte.

UT loses its backcourt next year. MU gains 2 talented front court players. But, you are right. If MU shoots well, they can beat anyone. If they are off, they are an average team.

I hope Syracuse gets Kentucky in the tourny, I would love if we were the host for a NYC region. Myself and many other SU fans still can't get over that lost to Kentucky in the 96 NCAA championship game, I so wanted that win


PS: The SEC just doesn't do much for me in terms of BB, I know that league has UF and Kentucky but I still would have preferred the ACC. I just don't think alot of people in the Northeast will get pump over some these SEC matchup unless its Kentucky/UF and maybe UT. I would for the BE to fill in for the Big Ten for 1 year so we can whip on the ACC

MU88 Wrote:

bitcruncher Wrote:But if they have to depend on offensive rebounding to get their points, they are in deep trouble against the Vols. Tennessee is very tough inside, which isn't Marquette's forte.

UT loses its backcourt next year. MU gains 2 talented front court players. But, you are right. If MU shoots well, they can beat anyone. If they are off, they are an average team.

UT has some talented players coming in. Bruce Pearl is getting some big-time recruits.

Being in Knoxville gives me a little inside info on the Vols.

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

Cincinnati is going to be loaded next year so I wouldn't label us a "lesser" team. Louisville was a preseason Big East title favorite and Marquette has been in the Top 25 most of the year, so I don't know where you get the idea that we're "lesser" teams. Especially since Cincinnati and Louisville arguably have stronger tradition then Syracuse and UConn.

Bearcat T Wrote:Offense is taken, just joking, but Cincy is much more geographically desirable for the doubleheader with the SEC as a host and has much more in the way to offer visiting fans in terms of hotels, activities, and restaurants/bars etc. and flights are much easier etc. than Syracuse and Uconn no offense they are further away and in samller towns etc....hehe There is a NEW BIG East and Syracuse and UConn are a BIG part of it, but so are teams like Cincy a TOP TEN ALL-TIME Program and USF etc. We just started slow in B-Ball due to the coaching change but we are back! Next years team is LOADED! Not to mention USF and Cincy in football.

Exactly. Cincinnati and Louisville are 2 of the Top 10 tradition rich programs in history and Marquette has been to several Final Fours and have a national championship so I don't know how he can say that we're "lesser" program.

CatsClaw Wrote:

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

Cincinnati is going to be loaded next year so I wouldn't label us a "lesser" team. Louisville was a preseason Big East title favorite and Marquette has been in the Top 25 most of the year, so I don't know where you get the idea that we're "lesser" teams. Especially since Cincinnati and Louisville arguably have stronger tradition then Syracuse and UConn.

I agree on your last sentence. It is very, very arguable that Louisville and Cincy have a stronger bb tradition than Syracuse, and to a lesser degree, Uconn. Syracuse is also a top 10 winning and and winning percentage program. They also by far, have the longest annual winning streak in the country at 37 years, and the next closest has only 27 straight winning seasons. Louisville fans can certaily make a great case with their 8 final fours and 2 championships for eclipsing Syracuse in the tradition department, but Syracuse has been much more consistant these last 20 years, but still I would give the edge to Louisville.

Cincy fans can make a case as well, although less than Louisville fans. If anything, I would say that Cincy and Syracuse both have an excellent tradition, but I dont see Cincy being better than Syracuse. Even with Cincy's 2 championships, I would say that Cincy and Syracuse are even if anything, especially since Cincy went on an extended hiatus before Huggins came along and got them going again.

As far as Uconn goes, they are not in the top 10 in winning, but I will say that the last 10-15 years, they have eclipsed every school in the BE.

CatsClaw Wrote:

Orange Eagles Wrote:I'm a little disappointed to not see at least one original BE team. No offense to the UL, UC, Marquette and USF fans, but to keep the interest they should have thrown in Syracuse or UConn this year.

Cincinnati is going to be loaded next year so I wouldn't label us a "lesser" team. Louisville was a preseason Big East title favorite and Marquette has been in the Top 25 most of the year, so I don't know where you get the idea that we're "lesser" teams. Especially since Cincinnati and Louisville arguably have stronger tradition then Syracuse and UConn.

Might be mistaken about this, but I don't think he was saying that Louisville, Cincinnati, and Marquette were "lesser" programs, rather I think he was trying to say that fans of the Big East in the major metropolitan areas of the northeast like NYC, Philly, and Washington DC, might have been better served by having Syracuse or Connecticut this year and putting either Louisville or Cincinnati in the rotation for the following year.

Cheers,
Neil

If they really wanted to make a lot of money, They should have played the games at US BANK Arena on December 18 at 7 and 9.

Start off with Louisville/Tennessee and the later game could be Cincinnati/Kentucky. That would bring in a lot of $$$$.

BcatMatt13 Wrote:If they really wanted to make a lot of money, They should have played the games at US BANK Arena on December 18 at 7 and 9.

Start off with Louisville/Tennessee and the later game could be Cincinnati/Kentucky. That would bring in a lot of $$$$.

I would have loved those matchups. Tennessee wouldn't have minded getting a shot at UofL. We had a 2 for 2 series over 4 straight seasons earlier this decade. The Cards went 4-0, but broke the Vol's heart year after year. UT outplayed the Cards the first 3 matchups, only to choke and have UofL rally late to barely win all 3. In the final game, it was close for a half and then our Final 4 team blew them out.

In my biased opinion, the 2001 game is one of the best rally's/biggest choke jobs you'll see in college basketball over the last 30 seconds. The Vols were up 6 with 35 seconds left, and lost in regulation, with no free throws shot by either team during that stretch. The end of that game is the loudest I have ever heard Freedom Hall in all the games I've been to over the last two decades.

The video is not the best quality, but you can tell what's going on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEb-uZoFJ...re=related

Those matchups look pretty good to me. I am biased because I live in Cincinnati. Louisville fans should be plenty in Downtown Cincinnati for this game. I don't those SEC teams want to go any further north than Cincy.