Big East Tournament, NIT Reflections
by Ray Floriani
The Big East final reminded us of the old coaching cliche’, “You can’t teach height”. Simply, 7’2″ Roy Hibbert of Georgetown was too much in the 65-42 pasting of Pitt in the championship.
All season the media (yours truly included) and other observers wondered when Hibbert would, or could, get aggressive inside. The criticism was the lack of touches or take charge stance in setting up down low. A look at Geogetown’s stats show Hibbert averaged just over 13 points per game. He took 15 percent of the Hoya shots. Jeff Green, a wise option, led the club entering tournament play with 24 percent of the Hoya FGA. Against ND in the semifinal, Hibbert had 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting. He should be a better presence on the blocks, was the assessment of Hibbert, forgetting the Irish packed the 2-3 zone and John Thompson III is not one to force things on offense.
Hibbert scored 18 points, pulled down 11 boards and dominated Pitt’s Aaron Gray (three points, 5 rebounds), who didn’t get a field goal until just under eleven minutes were left. It was classic inside-out. Hibbert established down low. When Pitt was making a challenge and had the deficit to 13 with 12 to play, Jon Wallace buried two treys. Game, set, match, classic inside-out. Over those last dozen minutes Pitt managed three field goals.
Green, the conference Player of the Year, earned tournament MVP honors. No argument, but everyone knew the Georgetown victory in the final began in the middle – classic Hoya defense. In fact it was a classic night for Georgetown, who earned their first Big East Tournament title since 1989. They did it the same was as days of old, a dominant big man and outstanding defense.
Syracuse had every right to be upset ,or downright livid, with their snub. The Orange entered the Big East Tournament with a 21-9 record. They defeated UConn in the first round, which should have punched the ticket. Following a quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame, Syracuse exited the Garden with a 22-10 record and coach Jim Boehem was certain of Syracuse being on the board Selection Sunday. And rightfully so. Syracuse had a 10-6 conference record, an RPI of 51 entering Sunday and wins in 6 of their last 8. Included was a thorough defeat of Big East regular season and tournament champion Georgetown. Strangely enough, Syracuse was missing when the NCAA brackets filled. The Orange are headed to the NIT. They last appeared in the NIT in 2002, when they finished fourth.
Marquette couldn’t be too thrilled with their situation. They posted a 24-9 record, 10 Big East wins and victories over Pitt (twice in regular season), Texas Tech and Duke, the latter coming in November when the Blue Devils were highly ranked. Now Tom Crean and Co. face No. 9-seed Michigan State, a tough opener. Marquette also happens to be in that murderous East Regional. Should they defeat Michigan State, a date with top seed North Carolina awaits.
UConn and St. John’s were both left out of the NIT. There are a few factors here. For one, the NIT field has been reduced from 40 to 32. UConn (17-14) and St. John’s (16-15) might have made it under the old format. Another major point is the selection process. If you win your conference, do not win the conference tournament and do not get an at large NCAA bid, you are guaranteed an NIT invite.
The final factor is the committee. Since the NCAA took over, the selection has been done by a good group, including former coaches CM Newton, Jack Powers and Don DeVoe. Their emphasis is a more national tournament. When the MIBA (Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association) ran things, a local school like a St. John’s or Fordham, who had an improved year, might be rewarded. A regional like UConn and/or St. Joe’s would also get in. Now the committee thinks and selects on a more national scope. A certain amount of local teams get in, but are no longer assured a spot of they get a few games over .500.
