Second half of the conference schedule

[beast of the east]

1. Nothing not to like about Ed Cooley. Ed's teams play tough.

2. The Dunkin' Donuts Center is a very difficult place to play for the visiting team. The Providence kids are a rowdy group that are pretty much on top of the court under the basket.

Their student section is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

2nd worse to DePaul.
Papers up here are always ripping them.

I would guess, and only guess that by playing all of their home games in the city, although its really close, causes students to stay home. It's a really small school, about 4,000 students. I was hoping to go up there and check out how much school spirit there is at games since my son was accepted there, but your response answers that, too.

 

[TonyinFairfield]

heather pretty much wrecked any chance for me to drive up there for the game

Same for me regarding any thought I had of driving there too. Now I'm concerned about a supposedly bigger storm headed our way on Sunday. I hope these weather forecasters are as wrong about that as they have been about just everything else.

Plus Connecticut and New England has been getting hammered with more snow than here on LI over the past few years.

Agree overall, Beast, but not today. Today is one of those weird storms where the more north you are, the less snow you get. Just through Facebook, I see where all my relatives who live in Queens and on Long Island have a several inches more snow that I do here. Doesn't happen often like that, but when it does, I'll take it!

 

[1and1sju]

Does ESPN desire to crush Fox Sports impact Big East access to at large bids?

Judging by how long it took Creighton to get ranked, yes.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Big East's Top 4 could compete admirably with the ACC, Big Ten, PAC 12, AAC and Big 12s Top 4 on a neutral court anywhere in America.

Cooley might be doing the best coaching job in the nation with all he's had to deal with up there. But you won't hear about it on SportsCenter.

Disagree. In no way do I think Providence or Xavier are on the same level as 3rd or 4th teams from other conferences like Michigan/Wisconsin. Or Oklahoma state/Texas. Or even Pitt/Virginia.
And I think the top teams from those conferences are also a class above Villanova and Creighton. Nova and creighton look like sweet sixteen teams to me.

I think Georgetown can surprise people though and be a dangerous team if they get the 3rd bid from this conference. But overall, I'm not surprised the BE isn't getting a lot of attention. Even without espn's bias..the standard bearer's just aren't that great. No title contender in my eyes.

 

[SJUalum98]

Does ESPN desire to crush Fox Sports impact Big East access to at large bids?

Judging by how long it took Creighton to get ranked, yes.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Big East's Top 4 could compete admirably with the ACC, Big Ten, PAC 12, AAC and Big 12s Top 4 on a neutral court anywhere in America.

Cooley might be doing the best coaching job in the nation with all he's had to deal with up there. But you won't hear about it on SportsCenter.

Disagree. In no way do I think Providence or Xavier are on the same level as 3rd or 4th teams from other conferences like Michigan/Wisconsin. Or Oklahoma state/Texas. Or even Pitt/Virginia.
And I think the top teams from those conferences are also a class above Villanova and Creighton. Nova and creighton look like sweet sixteen teams to me.

I think Georgetown can surprise people though and be a dangerous team if they get the 3rd bid from this conference. But overall, I'm not surprised the BE isn't getting a lot of attention. Even without espn's bias..the standard bearer's just aren't that great. No title contender in my eyes.

Michigan just lost at Indiana who have been big time underachievers. Take Stauskas out the game and they are easily beatable, especially without McGary.

Wisconsin isn't the same team that was rolling to start the season. Lost 4 in a row I believe. You don't think Providence can beat them?

No one takes Ok State or Texas seriously and Pitt is who they always have been beating up on lesser teams. I won't even address Virginia.

A class above Villanova when they beat Kansas on a neutral court already and were beating Cuse soundly in the Carrier Dome?

I never said we had championship teams. I said our best can compete with any team on a neutral court and I stand by that statement.

There is so much parity out there right now and I think the last thing ESPN wants to see is a 5/12 seeded matchup with one of their ACC darlings against one of our 3rd or 4th gritty BE teams.

 

[otis]

Their student section (Providence) is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

Not sure what you consider to be "pretty weak" but the 2 StJohns games I have attended at the "Dunk" the Providence students were a loud boisterous seemingly intoxicated & obnoxious group that really got into the game and made play difficult for the visitors. I admire their spirt.

 

[1and1sju]

Does ESPN desire to crush Fox Sports impact Big East access to at large bids?

Judging by how long it took Creighton to get ranked, yes.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Big East's Top 4 could compete admirably with the ACC, Big Ten, PAC 12, AAC and Big 12s Top 4 on a neutral court anywhere in America.

Cooley might be doing the best coaching job in the nation with all he's had to deal with up there. But you won't hear about it on SportsCenter.

Disagree. In no way do I think Providence or Xavier are on the same level as 3rd or 4th teams from other conferences like Michigan/Wisconsin. Or Oklahoma state/Texas. Or even Pitt/Virginia.
And I think the top teams from those conferences are also a class above Villanova and Creighton. Nova and creighton look like sweet sixteen teams to me.

I think Georgetown can surprise people though and be a dangerous team if they get the 3rd bid from this conference. But overall, I'm not surprised the BE isn't getting a lot of attention. Even without espn's bias..the standard bearer's just aren't that great. No title contender in my eyes.

Michigan just lost at Indiana who have been big time underachievers. Take Stauskas out the game and they are easily beatable, especially without McGary.

Wisconsin isn't the same team that was rolling to start the season. Lost 4 in a row I believe. You don't think Providence can beat them?

No one takes Ok State or Texas seriously and Pitt is who they always have been beating up on lesser teams. I won't even address Virginia.

A class above Villanova when they beat Kansas on a neutral court already and were beating Cuse soundly in the Carrier Dome?

I never said we had championship teams. I said our best can compete with any team on a neutral court and I stand by that statement.

There is so much parity out there right now and I think the last thing ESPN wants to see is a 5/12 seeded matchup with one of their ACC darlings against one of our 3rd or 4th gritty BE teams.

Could they compete? Sure. One out of 3 our team might be there team of similar standing. But being ABLE to compete isn't the same as being on the same leve. And staying with someone isn't the same as beating them.
But if you're going to count Nova beating Syracuse for a half then Michigan gets credit for losing to Arizona by two. And of course the loss to Indiana isn't great, but UM has also won AT Wisconsin and at Michigan State. No Big East team has two wins of that quality, and that's just Michigan.. possibly the 4th best team in the Big10.
But on a whole, their #1 or #2 teams are better than the BIg East's 1st or 2nd team. And their 3/4 teams are better than our 3/4 teams.

And you're just kidding yourself if you think no one takes OK State seriously. It's true that Texas wasn't on a lot of people's radars until this weekend, but OSU has had a bullseye on them since November.

At the end of the day I think these debates about which conference is better debate are kind've pointless. But it makes sense to me that the BE isn't getting as much attention as some of the other conferences. They're not as good. If us or Marquette or Georgetown were in the top 15 like a lot of people thought one of us would be... then the BE would look very different.

 

[BrookJersey Redmen]

Let’s just beat the Friars, then, we can worry about the game after that and nothing beyond. NCAA talk foolish.

 

[tom in salem]

Their student section (Providence) is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

Not sure what you consider to be "pretty weak" but the 2 StJohns games I have attended at the "Dunk" the Providence students were a loud boisterous seemingly intoxicated & obnoxious group that really got into the game and made play difficult for the visitors. I admire their spirt.

What years?
Have you been there this season.
They're non-existent.

http://www.friartownhoops.proboards.com/thread/3367/where-students

 

[Pray4change]

9-9 in big east, going 6-3 in the remaining 9 games would be an excellent result. Won't be good enough for a NCAA birth nor maybe even the NIT, but it is nevertheless a good result, if it happens.

Every game is a must win for the team and then aren't that good enough to go 7-2 or 8-1.

 

[Jack Williams]

Does ESPN desire to crush Fox Sports impact Big East access to at large bids?

Judging by how long it took Creighton to get ranked, yes.

I have no doubt in my mind that the Big East's Top 4 could compete admirably with the ACC, Big Ten, PAC 12, AAC and Big 12s Top 4 on a neutral court anywhere in America.

Cooley might be doing the best coaching job in the nation with all he's had to deal with up there. But you won't hear about it on SportsCenter.

Disagree. In no way do I think Providence or Xavier are on the same level as 3rd or 4th teams from other conferences like Michigan/Wisconsin. Or Oklahoma state/Texas. Or even Pitt/Virginia.
And I think the top teams from those conferences are also a class above Villanova and Creighton. Nova and creighton look like sweet sixteen teams to me.

I think Georgetown can surprise people though and be a dangerous team if they get the 3rd bid from this conference. But overall, I'm not surprised the BE isn't getting a lot of attention. Even without espn's bias..the standard bearer's just aren't that great. No title contender in my eyes.

Michigan just lost at Indiana who have been big time underachievers. Take Stauskas out the game and they are easily beatable, especially without McGary.

Wisconsin isn't the same team that was rolling to start the season. Lost 4 in a row I believe. You don't think Providence can beat them?

No one takes Ok State or Texas seriously and Pitt is who they always have been beating up on lesser teams. I won't even address Virginia.

A class above Villanova when they beat Kansas on a neutral court already and were beating Cuse soundly in the Carrier Dome?

I never said we had championship teams. I said our best can compete with any team on a neutral court and I stand by that statement.

There is so much parity out there right now and I think the last thing ESPN wants to see is a 5/12 seeded matchup with one of their ACC darlings against one of our 3rd or 4th gritty BE teams.

People should take Texas seriously. They have done what we should've done this season, and that is use athleticism to their advantage. They will be a four seed in the tournament and make the sweet sixteen.

 

[Moose]

9-9 in big east, going 6-3 in the remaining 9 games would be an excellent result. Won't be good enough for a NCAA birth nor maybe even the NIT, but it is nevertheless a good result, if it happens.

Every game is a must win for the team and then aren't that good enough to go 7-2 or 8-1.

We are pretty much in the NIT now per NIT bracketologists. Finishing 6-3 we would be in the NIT without question.

 

[redstorm80]

Their student section (Providence) is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

Not sure what you consider to be "pretty weak" but the 2 StJohns games I have attended at the "Dunk" the Providence students were a loud boisterous seemingly intoxicated & obnoxious group that really got into the game and made play difficult for the visitors. I admire their spirt.

I go to a bunch of their games and many times the student section is empty. Probably like most places, they will come out for the big games. The last couple times we played them they did show up though

 

[Moose]

Their student section (Providence) is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

Not sure what you consider to be "pretty weak" but the 2 StJohns games I have attended at the "Dunk" the Providence students were a loud boisterous seemingly intoxicated & obnoxious group that really got into the game and made play difficult for the visitors. I admire their spirt.

I go to a bunch of their games and many times the student section is empty. Probably like most places, they will come out for the big games. The last couple times we played them they did show up though

When I went a few years ago and Horne beat them the place was sold out lot of Johnnies fans but not many students. It was during break but the PC fans were there and obnoxious like always.

 

[redstorm80]

1. Nothing not to like about Ed Cooley. Ed's teams play tough.

2. The Dunkin' Donuts Center is a very difficult place to play for the visiting team. The Providence kids are a rowdy group that are pretty much on top of the court under the basket.

Their student section is actually usually pretty weak, but still a tough place to play

2nd worse to DePaul.
Papers up here are always ripping them.

DePaul's whole crowd looks awful. That place and Seton Hall's court always look half full

 

[ghostzapper]

One month and five days ago we were at the midpoint of our conference season with a dismal 3-6 record. At that time with nine conference games to go it was only the most optimistic of fans that saw the NCAA tournament in St. John's future. Personally I was thinking 6-3, hoping for 7-2 and fantasizing about 8-1 and a tournament bid, to happen in the second half of the conference schedule, but deep down I didn't really think the NCAA tournament would happen for us.

Ultimately not counting the Xavier debacle the team really has had just a tremendous second half. They went from non-entities to being part of the tournament discussion. I believe Obekpa's growth as a player and Jordan's freshman year emergence were the keys to the team's turnaround.

Having come this far, it would be a shame if they could not seal the deal with a win over Marquette and a strong performance in the Big East Tournament (probably two wins) that would get St. John's into the field of sixty-eight. The four extra bids that have expanded the tournament might be the conduit to allow us the opportunity to join the dance. However it happens, I would just be thrilled to see our guys get the opportunity to play in the tournament that will determine the national champion. To quote the Lotto ad, "you gotta be in it to win it"