Hey guys Mike T here, a little up against time but I will go over the Big East games on this final Saturday before the Big East Tourney kicks off on Tuesday afternoon. Without further adue, heres the breakdown of the big games today:
#1 UConn (27-2, 15-2) at #4 Pitt (27-3, 15-3)- Noon
- The Rematch. If Pitt wins, then believe it or not they could not win the conference. They would then need Louisville to lose to West Virginia to secure that #1 seed. UConn wins and they clinch the Big East title, and secure that bye into the quarterfinals of the tournament- which is big because they will not have to play until Thursday.
- The big question for Pitt will be how healthy LeVance Fields will be, as he bruised his tailbone against Marquette. He is key to Pitt because they really dont have a viable option to replace him if he cant go.
- The Pick: Both teams are so evenly matched, and UConn is looking for revenge. If DeJuan Blair can stay outta foul trouble Pitt will win. So Pitt is my pick to sweep the series with UConn.
#25 Syracuse (22-8, 10-7) at #15 Marquette (23-7, 12-5)- 2pm
- Marquette is struggling to say the least in their last 3 games without Senior guard Dominic James. They've lost all three and ran out of gas at the end of all 3, losing at UConn, at Louisville and at Pitt. Now all three of those teams are real good at home, so you cant blame it all on James' broken foot. Today will be the real litmus test for the Golden Eagles.
- Syracuse is coming off a 30 point win over Rutgers and shot 75% in the second half. They lead the Big East in scoring at over 80 points a game. Marquette averages 79, so this game has the potential to go up and down.
- The Pick: Syracuse. I am down on Marquette without James, I think it puts too much pressure on Jerel McNeil, Wesley Matthews and Lazar Haywood. Syracuse is actually healthy, with their rotation set and playing well. Their 2-3 zone will spread out Marquette and not allow penetration by their guards, and that will allow the Orange to control the boards and get the win.
#6 Louisville (24-5, 15-2) at West Virginia (21-9, 10-7)- 9pm.
- This game means everything to Louisville. Sure they are assured of atleast the #3 seed in the conference, which means they too wont be playing until Thursday at the Big East Tourney. But if Pitt beats UConn, a Cardinal win would give them the #1 seed and the regular season title. For West Virginia, a win here would cement any doubt that they belong in the NCAA Tourney.
- The Pick: Can Alex Ruoff and DaSean Butler stay with Terrence Williams and Earl Clark? I dont think so. I like the Mountaineers, but Louisville is real good. Louisville wins, and couple with my prediction of a Pitt win gives Rick Pitino and his crew the regular season crown.
Alright everyone enjoy it. I will be back Monday for an indepth preview of the Big East Tourney.
- Mike T
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