12 Louisville (15-3) v. 8 Syracuse (17-4)
The Cardinals are flying high after another huge Big East win over a ranked opponent as they handed Syracuse its first home Big East loss of the season, 67-57. It was a knockdown drag-out Big East battle as the Orange shot under 40% from the field for the first time this year. Louisville is making a strong case for the Big East crown so far this season. They are tied atop the standings at 6-0 with the Golden Eagles of Marquette (who took down DePaul over the weekend).
14 Georgetown (12-6) v. Seton Hall (10-9)
This might be the only opportunity I get to sneak my alma mater into this column, so I’m taking full advantage. The Hall pulled out its first Big East win upsetting fourteenth ranked Georgetown 65-60. This was a very sloppy game featuring a lot of fouls, turnovers, and not much else. Neither team filled up the stat sheet, but Jeremy Hazell dropped in 23 points even while shooting 0-10 from 3-point range. It was the first time that the Pirates did not score a 3-point basket in a game since 1991, a span of 504 games. G-Town needs to rebound quickly to remain as much a contender in the Big East race as they have last their last 3 games.
11 UCLA (15-4) v. Washington (15-4)
There is a surprise leader on top of the Pac-10 so far this season, the upstart Washington Huskies. The Huskies have won 13 of their last 14 games (their only loss coming in overtime to Cal) and have a one game lead over Arizona State, California, and UCLA. Washington looks like they will be returning to the NCAA tournament this year and might be the most feared team in the Pac-10. The backcourt of Justin Dentmon and Isaiah Thomas (not the Thomas that ruins NBA franchises) lead the way for Washington shooting a combined 19-22 from the foul line and stepping up for the Huskies in key moments throughout the game.
23 Baylor (15-4) v. 5 Oklahoma (19-1)
To summarize this game you only have to mention one name: Blake Griffin. He has truly become a dominant force in the college game. As long as he continues to play at this level, you can’t count the Sooners out as legitimate title contenders. Griffin powered his way to his 16th double-double of the season with 20 points and 17 rebounds. The eldest Griffin, Taylor, also had a big night on both ends of the floor (18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks). There isn’t a much more enjoyable scenario in sports than watching brothers perform at such a high level. The Sooners had this game won by halftime taking a 27 point lead into the locker rooms. Oklahoma shot 58% from the floor and 47% from downtown in the blowout victory.
3 Connecticut (18-1) v. 19 Notre Dame (12-6)
The streak is finally dead. I thought the aforementioned Pirates of Seton Hall might have been the team to do it, but the streak is over nonetheless. UConn did what no team has been able to do in 45 games, grab a win in South Bend at the Joyce Center. The Huskies proved to be too much for ‘Gody and the Irish as Cool Hand Luke didn’t get much support from his teammates on his 24 point night. Kansas now holds the longest home win streak with 35 games.
I don’t know anyone who shows more effort play after play than Luke Harangody. It’s possible that Tyler Hansborough shows the same work ethic as ‘Gody, but for some reason Harangody seems to avoid getting popped in the face night after night. Hansborough has his own version of the critically acclaimed “Manning Face” that happens after an elbow, fist, knee, or whatever else flies at his face.
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3 comments:
Harangody does not have a very good surrounding cast. Period. He just put up 29 and 17 on Marquette...and Tory Jackson was the team's second leading scorer. Kyle McAlarney won't even shoot open threes on the rare chance that he gets the opportunity. Harangody right now should be player of the year but his team is on the verge of spiraling out of making the tournament.
Nice to see Georgetown grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory against Seton Hall.
As an ND fan it's tough for me to agree with your opinion, but after watching tonight's game I think you're right. If McAlarney can't hit 3's consistently night-in and night-out I don't think they have the horses to make it through the Big East alive. I really thought they would handle a smallish Marquette team better than that. ND is now 12-7 and 2-5 against ranked teams and still have to travel to Pitt later this week. Doesn't look good.
The Big East is stacked with so many teams. They are just going to continue to beat up on each other for the next month and a half. ND is on the wrong end of it right now but they will have many opportunities to rebound. They also have a non-conference game @ UCLA which gives them another spot to pick up a big road win. I think that they will have enough on their resume when all is said and done to make the "Big Dance."
And even if they don't they are ND, and as Doyle wrote in his article earlier this past week, there is subjectivity in the Selection Committee.
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