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Sunday, December 22, 2024
The Big East is getting by just fine. Here is how good the Big East has been so far this year: nine of its 10 teams are so far undefeated. Villanova is 5-0. So are Providence and Creighton. Xavier and Seton Hall are 4-0. Georgetown, St. John’s and Butler are 3-0. Shoot, even DePaul is 2-0.
By its extremely lofty standards, this year’s Maui Invitational is rather light fare, though still one of the kings of the in-season tournaments. Maui is always a highlight of November and Thanksgiving week, dating back to its emergence in the late 1980s, and the tourney opened yesterday with quarterfinals. The best game of the four was the last one, as old WAC and Mountain West rivals San Diego State and BYU went at it good deep into the night for us on the mainland.
Holiday tournament basketball tipped off on Thursday, one of the many things we can give thanks for over the upcoming holiday. Though perhaps not too much thanks. The proliferation of large, eight-team in-season tourneys has been a boon for teams looking to get in an extra three games over their NCAA schedule limit each season, but it also has played a part in watering down the importance of such tournaments as a whole.
Some of the names were the same, including that of the conference, and the tournament site was the same, too. But the Big East in 2013-14 was different.
Villanova has shown a lot of toughness and resiliency this season. Both were quite apparent in their double overtime win at Providence.
Seton Hall competed and battled, as they have all season long, against Villanova. But once again it wasn’t enough, this time against a team ranked in the top ten.
Villanova has had some ups and downs this season thanks largely to inexperience. After losing to Louisville in the Big East Tournament, they hope their profile is good enough for the NCAA Tournament for continuing their growth.
Thursday had a lot of basketball in New York with the Atlantic 10 and Big East tournaments both having four games on tap. Here’s one person’s journey through a trip to both venues.
The second round of the 2013 Big East Tournament is in the books and the quarterfinal matchups featuring the top four teams are set. Here are some notes from Wednesday’s games at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova had their chances in Saturday’s 69-66 loss at Providence. But turning the ball over 25 times and surrendering 19 offensive rebounds added up to a loss, and offense continues to be a primary concern.
