Some interesting games this weekend as the first few BE teams reach the halfway mark of their conference schedule. Standings as of today (1/27):

West Virginia 5-0 (14-4)
Connecticut 5-1 (17-1)
Pittsburgh 5-1 (16-1)
Villanova 5-1 (14-2)
Marquette 5-2 (15-5)
Georgetown 4-2 (13-4)
Syracuse 3-3 (15-5)
Cincinnati 3-3 (14-6)
St. John's 3-3 (10-7)
Seton Hall 2-3 (11-6)
Louisville 2-4 (14-5)
Rutgers 2-4 (12-7)
Providence 2-4 (9-8)
Notre Dame 1-5 (10-7)
DePaul 1-6 (8-10)
South Florida 0-6 (6-13)

Unfortunately for the Cuse, Seton Hall's big win at NCSU has probably infused them with renewed confidence and hopes for an NCAA berth. Orangemen practically NEED this one to ensure dance status, as I'm seeing at least 5 more games on the schedule where they may be the underdog or a close favorite at home against higher ranked comp. If the Hall wins they have a very good shot at making the NCAAs, very impressive after the early egg laid against Duke.

We also have four Saturday match-ups that will go a long way to tipping off which teams will emerge primed for dance bids:

Marquette @ Pitt
The first of 5 conf road games still left for the Eagles, none of which look easy. I expect Pitt to assert itself here if they truly are Top 15 material.

Cincy @ G'town
Cincy has faired better than many expected considering the HC change, but Georgetown appears the real deal. The good news for Cincy is that, unlike Duke, they match-up better with the Hoyas inside and as a conference game won't be looking away. I expect Georgetown to pull it out, and make a legit run for higher conference honors.

Louisville @ Rutgers
Villanova @ ND
Three of these teams are desperate for conference wins, with Rutgers and ND probably facing the end of any NCAA dreams with losses this weekend given their remaining schedules. Even though I love Rutgers, I think the Ville will have more fight and will outshoot the hosts, whos will seems to be fading. ND might get the upset here. Nova is clearly the better side, but could begin to wind down the season with more conservative play.

- - - - -

- Sorry Bulls fans, but I don't think USF won't be winning a conference game this year. And to be honest, I'm unsure if they will next year. Not a knock on the Bulls, but an ode to the talent everywhere else.

- With Rutgers inability to rise above itself and ND's regression on the offensive end it's very possible that 3 of the four bottom sides are 1-A clubs. I know that's not where I had my money.

- Any wonder if Georgetown's revival owes something to Nova's recent climb? Nova is G'town's closest rival, if not their arch-enemy, and it seems these schools have been inexoribly tied somehow. (Perhaps aided via their AA football fortunes?) I can't say for sure, but it feels like the appeal of the other Catholic schools is all the greater now that one of them has faired so well. "That's all right folks, you can come out now. It's okay to love us again!"

I don't see UC beating Gtown now.....earlier in the year when we had Kirkland and Gtown wasn't playing as well....I had this as a win but now that Kirkland is gone (we are 1-4 w/o him) and Gtown really putting it together a UC win is not going to happen.........

7 of our final 10 games are against top25 teams.......if we can't go at least 8-8 in the conf. or maybe 7-9 worst case our 14 years in a row of going to the ncaa tourney is over.....

Thanks nancy z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for having UC go into the BE with one hand tied behind our backs and the other hand wrapped around our nuts.....thanks

GunnerFan Wrote:- Sorry Bulls fans, but I don't think USF won't be winning a conference game this year. And to be honest, I'm unsure if they will next year. Not a knock on the Bulls, but an ode to the talent everywhere else.

With the way South Florida has played some of their BE games this year I'd be surprised if they didn't come away with a win or two this year. Who knows about next year.

The St. Johns game for WVU on the road will be big for them as they try to put the bad loss behind them and get back into their game.