Just looking over our current rankings--No doubt Pitt and UCONN are the monster squads in the BEast but I think Louisville (17-4, 8-1) is in prime position to win the BE but only earn #2 seed in the NCAAs.
Currently ranked number seven nationally, with one loss in the BE, Louisville has already gone through the meat of their schedule. Luckly, they only had to play Pitt and UConn once and they beat Pitt. Only thing left on the schedule that they need to sweat is Marquette. Their next three games: St. Johns, ND and Depaul-- well, I don't have to say anything here. ND may put up a fight.
On the other hand, UCONN and PItt still have to play each other twice. And Marquette has to play both UCONN and PItt (and Louisville too.)
Pitt already has two losses in conference they'll probably need to beat UCONN twice to even consider winning the BE. UCONN with one loss will have to beat PItt twice. MArquette (9-0), to stay on top, will have to beat Pitt, UCONN and Lousiville.
It's my bet is that Lousiville either outright wins the BE regular season this year or they tie with UCONN.
The BE tournament should go to either UCONN or PItt.
(I don't think Marquette has the inside power to knock off either UCONN or PITT.) Of course funny things happen in the BE so if St. Johns beats Louisville- forget my whole theory. After a rough year or two in football, good to see UofL BB still jelling. Maybe next year Syracuse can do their BB team the way we've been doing their FB team.
UofL and Pitt both have rematches against WVU as well. Louisville finishes the season in Morgantown, on ESPN's Gameday main broadcast. Unfortunately for all of us, that means Dickie V will be in Morgantown. Maybe we'll get lucky and another bolt of lightning will come out of the sky to strike at ESPN's marquee broadcaster, like what happened at the Virginia Tech game that was cancelled due to weather for a Kickoff Classic a few years ago. A bolt of lightning struck Lee Corso's car, stranding him at the stadium. He had to bum a ride back to his hotel...
If there is a God, he'll do the same for Dickie V...
Not sure if the Cards can win the BE after getting OWNED by UConn on our home floor. I just want to finish in the Top4 and get that double bye.
The Cards could beat UConn if they shot like they did in the first half against WVU. But if the sight of a really big man in the middle is going to put the fear of God in 'em, they'll never move far in the post season. During the Cards big first half run against WVU, everything they threw towards the net went in. Against UConn, UofL couldn't hit their @ss with either hand. Imagine that...
(02-04-2009 11:30 AM)bitcruncher Wrote: [ -> ]The Cards could beat UConn if they shot like they did in the first half against WVU. But if the sight of a really big man in the middle is going to put the fear of God in 'em, they'll never move far in the post season. During the Cards big first half run against WVU, everything they threw towards the net went in. Against UConn, UofL couldn't hit their @ss with either hand. Imagine that...
UCONN D has improved a ton last few games. Those guards can cause havoc for anyone. There is a reason most teams shoot horribly against UCONN. Of course, if some player gets super hot anything can happen. UCONN win games because of the D period.
In the first half against the Mountaineers, Louisville was putting in shots with hands in their faces. Everything was going in. Nobody can say that WVU doesn't play defense. Ask any UConn player or coach, if you doubt this...
(02-04-2009 01:52 PM)bitcruncher Wrote: [ -> ]In the first half against the Mountaineers, Louisville was putting in shots with hands in their faces. Everything was going in. Nobody can say that WVU doesn't play defense. Ask any UConn player or coach, if you doubt this...
I have no doubt WVU plays great D. I think UCONN big men intimidated UL guys. The speed of the guards caused them some major problems. This is why you saw bunch of UL players that traveled etc. Also, Thabeet and Adrien took their inside game out completely. Outside T-Will, I think a few of them hurried their shots and therefore did not do well.
BTW, I think Adrien is the best player in the BE no one is talking about. The guy is consistent and is just a beast. If he can improve his free throw a little, he will be a complete player.
The key difference between UCONN and UNC is defense. I think if UCONN gonna go far into the NCAA, it will be because of the D.
I think Thabeet intimidated UofL. They didn't know what to do when the lane was denied...
I sure hope one of WVU's recruits for next season can play in the middle. We've got a couple of prospects who could take that job. Dan Jennings (6'8", 240 lbs) and Deniz Kilicli (6'9", 250 lbs) both play center for their high school teams this year. Hopefully, one or both can take over at center for Wellington Smith. He's played well in the middle for the Mountaineers. But he's not a center, and no amount of practice will turn him into one. He's not big enough, seeing as how he's only 6'7" tall. Also, 6'10" PF Roscoe Davis, who didn't qualify last year, has been playing center for Chatham (VA) Hargrave Military Academy. However, since he only weighs 205 lbs, he'd be at a disadvantage down low. But with a couple of years under Huggins, he could turn into a REAL BEast...
i think lville is a very dangerous team...they got beat by uconn,, but i think they had an off game...don't sleep on them
Louisville is dangerous. But not so dangerous to UConn, it seems...
UL is an excellent team. UCONN is just a bad match up for them. Any BE team with experienced guards could be dangerous. UCONN, however, also has Thabeet who is a mismatch to everyone and anyone. You just don't find kids that tall. UCONN will probably lose Thabeet and Adrien after this year, so we need to win the national championship now.
Next year we got 7'1" Charles who has not played this year. We also gonna get a couple of top new players in. It will take a year or two for that team to gel.
